IN MY EYES

The Idol of Self

“In those days Israel had no king; everyone did whatever they saw fit to do in their own eyes.”

Judges 21:25 

"The Teacher," said it in Ecclesiastes 1:9, there is truly nothing new under the sun. The trends we observe in today’s culture—where feelings eclipse facts, and subjective truth is king—are not novel. They are simply ancient sins with new labels, recycled rebellion wrapped in fresh, alluring, colorful packaging. Wisdom tries to lead the fool into life-giving righteousness, but as Proverbs 7:21-22 reveals, the fool follows the life-stealing adultress instead:

With her great persuasion she entices him;

with her flattering lips she lures him.

He follows her on impulse,

like an ox going to the slaughter,

like a deer bounding into a trap...

Dennis Prager of PragerU makes a compelling observation about the modern psychological landscape. He argues that much of contemporary psychotherapy doesn't aim at healing but at reinforcing narcissism. It teaches individuals to exalt their feelings as infallible and their ego as ultimate. According to this perspective, if you feel something, then it must be valid. If you were hurt emotionally at age nine, that pain becomes a lifelong lens—justified, protected, and enshrined—regardless of how destructive it becomes in adulthood.

But this isn't just a psychological phenomenon. It has seeped into the church as well.

Churches that once stood firmly on the authority of God's Word are increasingly capitulating to the culture's idolization of self. Sermons are replaced by motivational talks. The objective truth of God's WORD is softened to accommodate feelings and affirm sinful choices. The GOSPEL is edited, diluted, and domesticated. Sin, if recognized at all, is reimagined as a "misunderstanding," repentance becomes self-acceptance, and sanctification is swapped out for self-fulfillment.

None of this is new.

The book of Judges describes a time of moral confusion and spiritual chaos in ancient Israel. Why? Because “there was no king in Israel.” Without a righteous ruler—without submission to God as King—people defaulted to doing whatever was right in their own eyes. Truth was relative. Feelings became fact. Authority was rejected. Sound familiar?

When human feelings become the final authority, disorder always follows. Just like Israel in the time of the Judges, our culture today has rejected divine kingship. The ego has seized the throne belonging to Christ alone. And with the coronation of the ego comes confusion, contradiction, and collapse.

We are told to “look within,” but Scripture says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick” (Jeremiah 17:9). We are told to “live your truth,” but Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). We are told that healing comes from self-affirmation, but God tells us healing comes through repentance and the truth of His Word.

Yes, many people have been genuinely hurt. And emotional wounds are real. But the path to healing is not through marinating in those wounds or using them to justify bitterness and self-worship. The GOSPEL calls us out of the prison of the past and into the freedom of forgiveness. It doesn't minimize pain—it redeems it.

There is an INFINITELY better way than what is “right in our own eyes.” There is a perfect, sure, and sufficient standard. There is an immovable anchor. The God-breathed, inerrant, and sufficient Scriptures do not change. They do not bend to the waves & whims of culture. And they call every generation back to the unchanging truth of our God of Holy Trinity.

So, let us not be deceived. Today's problems may look different. They may wear different clothes, carry new terminology, and get promoted with slicker technology. But they are the same old sins—self-exaltation, pride, and rebellion—just with a new bow on top.

The solution is the same as it has ever been: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, wisdom, and correction, but fools despise.” (Proverbs 9:10). It's not about the fear of missing out or fitting in. Not the worship of self. Not the validation of feelings. It's all about our reverent submission to the King who reigns above all kings... even you.

When everyone does what is right in their own eyes, darkness follows. When Christ, the LIGHT OF THE WORLD, is on the throne, the light of heaven breaks through, hearts become new, and we see things as God sees them. If Christ Jesus is the King & LORD of your life... all of that can change today.

Blessings & love,

Kevin M. Kelley

Pastor

Big Island Christian Church

RevKev@bigislandchristianchurch.com