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1 Corinthians 10:31
In all our activities, our emphasis should be on honoring God, rather than ourselves.
Since birthday celebrations encourage the glorification of the self and promote "self-centeredness" rather than "God-centeredness," birthday celebrations transgress this principle. If we are truly striving to instill godly character into our children, birthday parties are not a good option.
In a radio interview with a former Satan worshipper, the interviewer asked, "What is the most important day after Halloween to a Satan worshipper?" The answer is eye-opening! He said, "Your own birthday!" We know that everything Satan does is contrary to God's way. Satan opposes God in every thought and despises all godly things. If he initiates something, the result is wickedness. By promoting birthday celebrations, Satan, the Great Deceiver (Revelation 12:9), deceives people into exalting themselves so he can de-emphasize the great God.
Birthdays promote the idea that we have achieved something worthwhile, when in fact life is a gift from God. King Solomon, speaking of man in general, writes of "the days of his life which God gives him under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 8:15). A birthday celebration takes credit away from God, redirecting it to a physical human being. Birthday celebrations rob God of the honor and glory He is due as Creator and Sustainer of life.
Moses records:
The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being (Genesis 2:7).
Man made no effort in his creation; he is the creation. Nevertheless, human beings redirect the credit and glory to themselves, which is simply a form of idolatry. We have been called and set apart to worship the Creator, but those who are still carnal worship the creation (Romans 1:25).
Martin G. Collins
Celebrating BirthdaysRelated Topics: Birthdays | God Centeredness | Satan's Deception | Satan's Influence | Self Centeredness
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What Does 1 Corinthians 10:31 Mean?
In all activities, the emphasis should honor God rather than self. Birthday celebrations encourage glorification of the self, promoting self-centeredness rather than God-centeredness, and thus transgress this principle. Satan, the Great Deceiver, promotes birthday celebrations to exalt human beings and de-emphasize the great God. Since life is a gift from God, who formed man and breathed into him the breath of life, taking credit for one's existence robs God of the honor and glory He is due as Creator and Sustainer, becoming a form of idolatry. A Christian should discipline himself, as Paul admonished Timothy to strive according to the rules to be crowned, and as Paul severely disciplined himself, keeping within The Way to do all to God's glory.