The problem with loving in a "selfie culture," according to Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship, is that people are all focused on themselves and are sadly missing out on the true essence of joy.
"We are living in a selfie culture," Laurie writes in an article for The Christian Post. "Nearly two-thirds of Americans have smartphones today. In fact, the whole planet is getting in on it. Two billion consumers worldwide will have smartphones by 2016. And all of those phones have cameras. Hence, the selfie culture."
Laurie noticed that people have become desperate to take perfect selfies and project the same perfection online. But studies have actually proven that faking happiness online only makes a person more vulnerable to depression, loneliness, and low self-esteem.
"It seems people often want to project a far happier online life than they may really be experiencing. Many seem to be living two lives: one online and one off," he says. "Deep down inside we all want to be happy, and there is nothing wrong with that in and of itself. We want our lives to match our 'selfies,' but they usually don't."
According to Laurie, the Bible teaches Christians that self-love, which is what the "selfie culture" is promoting, is actually wrong when it comes to attaining true joy.
He shared the Bible verses Luke 9:23 to 24 to make his point. In it, Jesus said: "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it."
"The real way to find happiness in our selfie culture is not by loving ourselves more, but by denying ourselves," explains Laurie. "You want to find life, purpose, and personal happiness? Then say, 'Lord, here is my life. Here are my plans, my aspirations, my dreams — as well as my weaknesses, shortcomings, and sins. I believe that Your plans are better than mine, in the long run.'"
