With my 37th birthday quickly approaching (it’s tomorrow), I wanted to take a deeper look into how society expects you to deal with your birthday, in contrast to what is taught in the Bible for Christians. You may be wondering how they tie together, but we will go over the Western World’s view on Birthdays, how it ties directly into Satanism, and how you can truly die to yourself to become more Christ-like. I hope you enjoy these thoughts of mine.
The Western World’s View on Birthdays
It’s hard to not extravagantly celebrate your birthday, especially when society has ingrained into your mind that on your birthday, you are to be celebrated. You are to receive gifts and treats and to have an entire day all to yourself, where you are, in effect, worshiped by your friends and family. We are trained from a young age to throw extravagant parties, to expect cake and gifts, and to get as cranky as toddlers when we don’t receive all that we demand and desire.
“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:24-25 KJV
This societal indoctrination is strongly anti-Christian when you start to truly examine it. And honestly, there is next to nothing that can be worse for a Christian, than to allow this particular attitude to continue to fester within your life and your spirit. Far be it for me to say that you shouldn’t celebrate things in your life, or to allow others to do so. On the contrary, I’m talking about this specific idol attitude within yourself regarding your own birthday, that likely has been foisted upon you since before you can remember.
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” – Luke 9:23 KJV
Denying or Dying to Myself for my Birthday
For example: my husband would make the joke that July is my “birthday month”. And you might be thinking to yourself, “Well, if your birthday is in July, then that would make sense.” And to that point, you are correct. But the reason why he would make this joke, is far from that particular point.
You see, I sincerely loved my birthday and the fact that people would shower me with positive attention, gifts, and more on my birthday. When I was suffering from depression, it really helped to know I had a specific day where everything would just be “perfect”, and I would get to feel extra special. I would try to schedule special trips, or go to fancy restaurants, etc. and if plans didn’t work out accordingly, I would get severely depressed and angry. I would throw mini-tantrums about it, because my designated day full of good feelings (dopamine) was being threatened. Society’s expectations being thrust upon me since I was a small child, didn’t help, but rather only exacerbated the situation.
“And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” – Matthew 10:38 KJV
Becoming an “Idol” unto Yourself
But as I grow closer to Christ, I am quickly realizing how counter-Christian this outlook can be. How much “of the world” this attitude of mine truly was, regarding my birthday. When we think of the 10 commandments, and specifically the talk of “idols”, we typically think of golden calves or other sorts of religious statues… But, in case you didn’t know, you can become an “idol” to yourself in relation to God. What this simply means, is that you are placing yourself upon the pedestal to be worshiped by those around you. The very first commandment is after all, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3 KJV)
“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:” – Colossians 3:5 KJV
Modern Satanism & Self-Worship as the Highest Aspiration
You may have noticed, that the act of self-worship is highly encouraged in modern American society, and most Western societies in general. The acts of self-indulgences, selfies, Apple “I” products, materialism, and so much more is highly promoted as the “way to be” for all Americans. It didn’t used to be this way, but with the way that society has gone from outright anti-Satan, to fully accepting and promoting the highest aspiration within the Satanic community, it’s no wonder everyone is obsessed with themselves.
For example, here we will look at what Blanche Barton, “Magistra Templi Rex” of the Church of Satan has to say on the subject:
“The idea of worshiping Satan is ridiculous. We worship ourselves first and foremost, and we use the Satanic as a metaphor for calling forth the powers within ourselves that we find enriching or enlivening. Satan has always been a metaphor of defiance, fortitude against all odds, and self-determination in whatever guises he is represented.” (Emphasis my own.)
When stated like that, it really doesn’t sound too bad, right? However, look at how society is doing now that everyone has become obsessed with themselves. Our society is reflecting the very ills that destroyed Sodom & Gomorrah, Rome, and countless other civilizations. Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it after all. I feel that Marilyn Manson summarized the core of Satanism the best, when he said the core of Satanism was about “being your own god.”
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” – Romans 12:1 KJV
Called to Die, So That I Might Live
You might have noticed a theme emerging from the Bible verses I’ve posted throughout this article. And I’ve done so specifically, so you can get a glimpse into what God has asked of his people. As a Christian, this means me. We are called to die to ourselves, and to this world filled with evil, so that we might live. When you think of this literally, it makes no sense. But, when taken in the context that I’ve provided in this article, it makes perfect sense. You are to kill that part of you that is corrupting your spirit, so that you can live a more Godly life in both this world, and the next.
And that’s truly the entire point of Christianity. It calls you to become more Christ-like, or as one of my favorite Christian song artists, Keith Green said:
“The word ‘Christian’ means ‘little Christ’. And it means we’re supposed to be little Jesuses running around, doing what He did and what He does.”
I truly love that visual that Green provides, with the “little Jesuses” comment. For me, it comes as a visual of children gleefully running around the feet of Jesus, just after a costume contest, and they all chose to wear what Jesus was wearing.
Joyfully Giving Instead of Joyfully Receiving
This year, I’m going to try to push all of that programming out of my life and instead, focus on joyfully giving. One of the ways I wish to do so, is to redirect people to donating to a favorite charity of mine, instead of allowing them to shower me personally with gifts. I want to do my small part as a human being that God created, and help to conserve the glory of the nature that God created on this earth. And as such, I’m asking that if anyone feels compelled to do so, to please donate to One Tree Planted, so we can plant some more beautiful trees.
“And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” – Genesis 1:28 KJV
There is so much more I can say about this vast topic of dying to yourself. Especially where the Bible talks about doing so on a daily basis. It’s not an easy thing to do, even with the help of the Holy Spirit convicting your spirit of the things and attitudes within yourself that you need to kill. As I learn more about the Word of God, I learn more about myself that needs to be nailed to my own cross. Thankfully, I have a great Helper in this massive endeavor.
I hope you enjoyed my thoughts on this subject, and I pray it encourages you to explore yourself and figure out just how much of yourself you need to nail to your own cross. It won’t be easy, but really, anything worth value never is easy to obtain.
God Bless you and keep you!
♥ Jess ♥
