What does the Bible say about being self-conscious?

Answer  
  

Self\-consciousness is an undue awareness of oneself, especially when one is being observed by others. The key word in that definition is *undue*. It is healthy to maintain a casual awareness of the way others perceive us. A moderate level of self\-consciousness keeps us from behaving in rude or offensive ways. But self\-consciousness as a way of life does not fit with the Bible’s description of a Christian.  
  

Everyone has a focus. We make decisions and view the world based on that focus. Our focus is that which captures our attention, drives our decisions, and dominates our thoughts. A self\-conscious person’s focus is on self: *How do I look? What do they think of me? Do I fit in?* While attention to grooming, [manners](etiquette-manners.html), and social mores is a God\-honoring practice, our self\-consciousness becomes sinful when it supersedes God’s calling on our lives. When self\-consciousness hinders us from obeying the Lord in any area, it has become a false god. For example, we may feel a prompting from the Holy Spirit to speak to the new guy at work and invite him to church. God\-consciousness may propel us to obey, but self\-consciousness may keep us at our desk. *What will he think? What if he makes fun of me? I might look stupid!* Self\-conscious thoughts will always win when we have given them too much focus.  
  

John 12:42–44 describes a group of Jewish leaders who believed that Jesus was who He said He was, but, because of self\-consciousness, they refused to confess Him openly. Their fear of what other people thought and the likely consequences of a public confession kept them from becoming followers of Christ. Their self\-conscious fears were a greater motivation than the faith that could have saved them. “Fear of man will prove to be a snare” (Proverbs 29:25\).  
  

When the Holy Spirit creates us anew in Christ, He shifts our focus (2 Corinthians 5:17\). Whereas we used to be self\-focused, pleasure\-focused, or culture\-focused, God begins to make us Christ\-focused (Hebrews 12:2\). As we become more conscious of Christ, we become less conscious of self. Focus on self no longer fits with our new, higher calling as ambassadors for God’s kingdom (2 Corinthians 5:20\). We are called to die to ourselves and live for Christ alone (Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:3–8; Luke 9:23\). As John the Baptist said about Christ, “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30\).  
  

As a regular part of our spiritual journeys, we should ask ourselves: *Where is my focus? Whom am I striving to please today?* An awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence and pleasure is part of what it means to live in “the fear of the Lord” (see Proverbs 1:7; Psalm 111:10\). We cultivate the [fear of the Lord](fear-God.html) by being intentionally aware that He is watching and evaluating everything we think, say, or do. Pleasing God is our highest goal and distracts us from over\-focus on ourselves. When we notice we have become too self\-conscious, the remedy is to humble ourselves before God and offer Him our bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1–2; Colossians 3:1–3\). Our focus shifts to thoughts of glorifying Him and reflecting His majesty through our surrender (1 Corinthians 10:31\). When we see ourselves as masterpieces in the making in God’s workshop (Ephesians 2:10\), self\-consciousness cannot rule our lives.  
  

