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Is Self Absorption The Brain Rot Of Our Culture?

Is Self Absorption The Brain Rot Of Our Culture?

Last updated on: October 1, 2026 at 3:51 pm by Kathy King

Is Self Absorption The Brain Rot Of Our Culture? 2026-10-01T15:51:52-04:00 Kathy King

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“There’s nothing that makes you more miserable (or less interesting) than self absorption.” Timothy Keller

Self Absorption is a huge brain rot in our culture, you only need to open up any social media app and see countless selfies and words like “self care.” Now I am not adverse to taking care of yourself by any means, after all, our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, we must take care of His temple. Honestly, I’ve been guilty of this in the past, my kids are gone, the house is empty, and I am trying to find purpose in this next phase of life. As I was sharing some music online yesterday, I decided to take a little scroll down social media lane. The first 10 posts were selfies. What really got my attention was a handful of Christian influencers taking copious selfies (sometimes scantily clad) and posting scriptures with these selfies. Duck faced kisses and Jesus loves you! I had to roll my eyes. Self Absorption truly has become the rot of culture. The Apostle Paul shared some wise words that perhaps the church needs to remember: I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Wise words that bear repeating in our culture.

Why is it a me, myself and I culture?

I’ve written about this a lot recently, the absolute dumpster fire of me, me and me! One day I was sitting in Sunday School listening to a lesson about serving God and letting Him heal our deep wounds. The Scripture that was expounded upon was Psalm 147:3: He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. As the leader went around the class asking members what that verse meant to them, the common theme was “Well, I am still angry, I am going to cut them out of my life to preserve my peace even though they meant well.” “I have to take care of myself, it doesn’t matter what everyone else says, it’s me first.” As the teacher nodded in agreement I couldn’t help but say something in my sometimes too blunt manner. “Can I say something? What happened to less of me and more of Him? If you depend on yourself for peace you will be sorely disappointed.” After garnering some nasty looks the class went quiet. When I left that class I felt such a burden for those dear souls, it was then I realized the church was not a place to look to God as it had been in the past. It had become infested, infiltrated and too much like he who steals, kills and destroys.

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What happened to the church?

As I mentioned above, we’ve let the world creep in. It wasn’t a large move at once, it was a sneaky snake-like move of the deceiver of old. The Apostle Peter wrote some very succinct words about being in the world but not of it. “For you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, (God’s) own purchased, special people that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” One translation calls us a “peculiar people”.” What does peculiar mean? An unusual, strange, or belonging exclusively to a specific person, place, or thing. Who do we say we belong to? I would hope that you would say, Jesus. If you can say that is so, then we are in the world much like He was but not of it. We don’t conform to this world. We are meant to look towards Heaven. If your church or life does not point you in that direction, I would ask you to pray and in some cases, run away from that church! We are to pursue holiness, not selfishness. We are to conform to God’s Word, not the world’s ways. To put it bluntly, the church has become too much like the world. Find a true Ekklesia.

What can I do?

I’d like to encourage you, dear ones, to take a fresh look at your relationship with God. His desire is to walk with you in the garden in the cool of the day. He sees your full potential and wants to bless you mightily. Will you follow? Will you commit your life to Him? He awaits with open arms. I was blessed to grow up in the church, I also went to Bible School faithfully, got my ministerial license and eventually my ordination. I thought I knew it all and sadly I fell into the world’s trap. I became something I never thought I would be. It took me reaching rock bottom and crying out to God in the middle of the night to really understand there is nothing like walking with Him. Life is truly worth living just because He lives. His love is also waiting and available to you. Below are some ways to follow Him, please prayerfully consider doing so, I promise it will be worth it because He never lies. The world does.

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How can I strengthen my walk with God?

Identify yourself in Him- You are His treasured possession. He sent His only son Jesus to die for you. These words bear repeating, “I have been crucified with Christ and yet I live, not I but Christ who lives within me.” That means you don’t have to be so self focused, following Christ lends itself to a balance in your view of self. No more duck face selfies with Scripture and half naked poses. Ask yourself, would Jesus do this? I venture you will have your answer pretty quickly.
Look to live differently- The Apostle Peter provides wonderful direction. “Conduct yourself properly (honorably, righteously) among the Gentiles, so that although they may slander you as evildoers, yet they may be witnessing your good deeds and come to glorify God.” I used to work in customer service at a national gym chain. I can’t tell you how many times I dealt with many difficult customers or employees. One such event took place when I had to fire a pretty popular fitness instructor. I was cussed up and down the road and around again. She had her posse of disgruntled members come and get in my face as well. I then had to go and teach her class after the unexpected firing. If looks were daggers I received them in that 1 hour cycle class. This harassment went on for a few weeks. You can imagine my awe when I found out she was a high ranking member in the church. Maybe she was having a bad day… maybe? But also, I thought, “Wow!” Live like Him, even when it is hard.

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Pursue Holiness- Romans 6:22 tells us that since we have been set free from sin and have become the slaves of God, you have your present reward in holiness and its end is eternal life. For the wages which sin pays is death, but the bountiful free gift of God is eternal life through (in unison with) Jesus Christ our Lord. Before you say, “Well, no one is perfect.” Absolutely no one but Jesus is perfect, you are right. But to pursue holiness means to chase it, to run after it. Do not look to the world for peace, you will be solely disappointed. Spend time with Him in His Word, learn about Him. We take hours to doom scroll and to binge watch television, surely we can carve out some time to pursue holiness.
Let your Speech be a reflection of God- Did you know that your words have great power to hurt and to heal? Think about it, how did God create the world? He said, “Let there be light.” Ephesians 4:29 tells us to not let any foul or polluting language, nor evil word, nor unwholesome of worthless talk (ever) come out of our mouth, but only such speech as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it. How many times have you heard or watched someone curse someone? How often have you done it? One only needs to turn on a television show or let’s face it, go to the corner store and see the most vile words come from the mouths of others. Also, I know I am going to step on toes here but I am going to say it; how many curse our leaders? I know I have been guilty. One day God really dealt with me about my words towards those in power. Then I was hit with Daniel 2:21: God changes the times and seasons, HE sets up kings and HE removes them. Father God is the supreme authority over history- that means our leaders as well. It is our job to pray for them. God can and has used deeply flawed individuals to bring forth His purposes. You need only look to the hall of fame of faith.
Let Him be your peace and worship Him daily- The world is crazy, we all know it. Personally I sense and believe that God is about to do a mighty work on the earth. One that we have not seen in our lifetime. He is Holy. His holiness demands that He must act. We are living in the days of Noah, the great loser is running rampant in the world. But Greater is He who is in US than he who is in the world. Let God’s peace that passes all understanding envelope you by worshiping Him daily. You can see my worship music on my Facebook page. Worship Him in song, worship him with your life. Speak His Word. I find myself asking God daily to help temper my response to the crazy. Some days I fail utterly, but thank goodness His mercies are new every morning.

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We are a work in progress walking towards His glory

Everything that I’ve written is with love for you dear ones. God is about to reign His glory down from on high like we’ve never seen. If you never spent time just worshiping Him and feeling a glimpse of His presence I highly suggest you do so. There is indeed none like Him. Finally, live for Him. Love for Him. Pursue Him. When you stand before Him in glory, let Him say , “Well done, My good and faithful servant.” That’s way better than conforming to the world. Selah

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