Selfie is the term used to describe the modern day self-portrait. The term recently was added to the dictionary, and the selfie stick was called the greatest invention of 2014.

It is no secret that we live in a “selfie-centered” culture. The infatuation with self may seem like a modern issue, but it is not. It has been around since the beginning of time.

There is a tension that exists within all of us between the self I am, the self I pretend to be and the self God is calling me to be.

Jacob provides one of the earliest examples of the struggle with self. His story begins in Genesis 25. Jacob was the son of Isaac and Rebekah. He is the younger twin brother of Esau.

Jacob’s story is one of deceit and self-centeredness. You might say that Jacob had a “me first” mentality (see Genesis 25:19-23, 47:1-45).

To be honest, he was just like all of us. We are all born with a self-centered approach to life. If you have been around young children, you understand this.

Selfie issues surface early on in life. That is why you don’t have to teach a child to say “me” or “mine.” Instead, they must be taught to share and say “please” and “thank you.”

Selfishness is the root of many of the problems people face well into adulthood in their marriage or other relationships.

With a “me first” mentality, self continually seems to get in the way of what God wants to do in our lives. So how can I put God first in a “me first” world? Is that even possible?

It goes against our natural inclinations. Can we learn to seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness above our own?

The Bible does tell us, “With God, all things are possible,” so this transformation is a distinct possibility. But we need to realize, without God’s help, we are destined for defeat. We are fighting a losing battle.

Jacob had his work cut out for him, and so do we. In order to find my true self, I need to let go of the person I am. I must turn my back on the person I pretend to be. I must make a conscious choice to fully embrace the me God wants me to be.

For that to happen, selfie has to die. The Apostle Paul said it like this: “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20)

You may read Steve Greene’s blog at pastorgreene.wordpress.com or you can email him at [email protected].