Self Help Gimmicks. Vs. The Bible
'Gimmick' meaning: a trick or device intended to attract attention, publicity, or business..... That is how I felt about all those books ( such as the Secret- by the way that book was probably an adaptation of ' The science of getting rich' by Wallace D wattles -and the like, for the most part..).. even though, I have enjoyed a great-bit of those read in that genre... Sooo, a very interesting thing happen: - I was not looking for a correlation, or attempting to debunk any, of those self-help books or programs. I have gotten some insight by reading such material for myself.... One day ( over a course of months)... I had began a relationship journey with God, and in so doing I started the 'lost art' of reading the Bible in it's totality for self, no ulterior motivate... Here is what took place the more I read, the Bible came alive- entertaining and fun ( yes, folks the Bible can be fun..); notably regardless of the book- Old testament or New, the realization of a thought/ or a knowing was raring its head...(what was it you ask 樂-) a familiar sense of ' I have seen this written somewhere', said a little differently, yet nevertheless, 'familiar'...
Ultimately the majority of self-help books, etc., Comes down to manifesting our best life ever, each author has a slightly varying way of delivery, and they should since, the audience is so diverse. Now, remember the title of this blog is "self-help Gimmick Vs. The Bible"; I use the term gimmick because while people are afraid to acknowledge the Bible; No, semi-correction here: do not want to be aligned with the Bible, ( they might be thought of as bible-thumpers by their peers, who knows.). What it comes down to, they will read the interpretations, of the Scriptures/Bible by an authority (such as John C. Maxwell, Les Brown, Zig Ziglar and or, Jim Rohn..to name a few)..Their principles, are laden with biblical verses reworked, or Bible story retold to suit the audience. So, what am I saying in this little-big blog of mine, nothing really I saw it as a very curious observation. Yet I cannot help but, to smirk at the unintended, intended circulation of such material, and the countless world populous that has sat on bending knees being taught by these renown authors/teachers decades over; And the continuos spawning of new recruits to the manifestation of biblical teaching, by way of these self-help 'Gimmicks'. I applaud the Bible for sneaking in, or probably better put tapping in both the non-secular and secular space.
Should you question my opinion, in 'my' blog read - habakkuk 2:2-3...
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Self-help books are for those who do not understand who they are and whose they are in Christ. The Word is "a lamp unto thy feet and a light unto thy path." Everyone is looking for the proverbial path to prosperity in every area of their lives, not realizing that there is only one way. The world will never give glory to God, so they place it in the men and women who have tapped into the power of the Word, have acquired the material success most people want and have sold out to the world by packaging and presenting that power to continue amassing their earthly treasures. Don't misunderstand me here, prosperity has been promised to the children of God, but we must be very careful that we give all glory to God - our Savior Jesus Christ - not the "god" most people profess on the award platforms they are given. The Bible is the only book we need to get through this life, but the Lord is merciful and knows that there are some who may never graduate to the meat of his Word unless he anoints his chosen scribes to interpret the Word and present it as milk in the form of self help books/media. Here's a good gauge to determine whether or not a self help book is a gimmick or Godly - while reading - your spirit awakens to the knowledge that Christ is the way, the truth and the life.
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