Self-Improvement from a Christian Perspective

Self-improvement books fill the shelves of the local bookstore. Nearly every commercial that flashes across your screen promises a way to improve your looks, career, or health. For those seeking deeper personal growth, Laguna Christian Counseling offers a valuable resource to help guide you on your journey.

Secular Self-Improvement

The world is narrowly focused on improving our human conditions (and making a healthy profit while doing it). It isn’t necessarily wrong to work to improve yourself, but doing so with a worldly lens and carnal motivation can lead you away from God.

Focus on self rather than God

Many of the self-help approaches that bombard our lives through media emphasize individualism and personal empowerment. This core idea can detract from our reliance on God. Our true growth and fulfillment in life can’t be found in a bottle of cream (even if it is just $19.99… but wait, there’s more). Our fulfillment comes from submitting wholeheartedly, and intimately to God’s will rather than striving for self-sufficiency.

Lack of biblical foundation

While well-meaning, many self-help programs lack a scriptural foundation or might even offer advice that contradicts the Bible. If the creator of the latest self-help trend does not follow our Creator, their perspective will be vastly different from the worldview that Christians aim to hold. It’s important to ground your self-improvement efforts in Scripture rather than fallen worldviews.

Neglect of the idea of sin and human fallibility

As Christians, we know that we need God. We acknowledge our weakness and inherent fallibility. However, many self-help philosophies overlook the concept of sin. Overlooking our need for God’s grace can hinder our spiritual growth, even if we are genuinely trying to improve our lives.

Self-help programs often focus on achieving material success or personal achievements. As Christians, we should focus on our spiritual growth and service to others, rather than merely personal gain.

Spirituality vs. relationship with God

Some self-help resources may present a vague notion of spirituality but lack the relational aspect of Christianity. Finding a “higher power” may help you improve your life, but you have to be careful that you are connecting with the one true God. Having a personal relationship with Jesus is central to our faith and is not the same as the spirituality that is sometimes the focus of self-help programs.

Overemphasis on positive thinking

As Christians, we are supposed to have a positive mentality, but the way that the world interprets that concept is entirely different. Positive thinking has its merits, but simply thinking positively can only do so much to change your circumstances. Faith, prayer and seeking God’s perfect guidance are more effective than relying solely on your own positive attitude.

Works-based salvation

As Christians, we know that our salvation is not due to anything we could do on our own, but is solely based on what Christ did for us. Some self-help programs inadvertently promote the idea that self-improvement or “good works” can earn your way to “salvation.” While the message may not be direct, the idea that our perfect life is within reach if we just “try harder” is present in many self-improvement programs.

It’s okay to try to improve ourselves and be the best version of the person God created us to be. But we also have to balance our drive for self-improvement with our Christian beliefs. We need to prioritize faith, stay grounded in biblical principles, and yield to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit as we reach for the best version of ourselves.

Next Steps to Pursue Biblical Self-Improvement

Seeking help from a Christian therapist in Laguna, California who is grounded in Scripture can help you find a path to the best version of yourself in a biblically-sound and faith-focused way. Finding a Bible-believing therapist in Laguna can provide you with the support and tools you need for true, biblically-based self-improvement. Contact us today at Laguna Christian Counseling in California to schedule your initial risk-free session.