The “You Do You” movement is really just steeped in lies about selfishness. In 1 John, he talks about a sin that leads to death. What could that sin possibly be? We get a glimpse of what he is talking about in the final verse of the entire book of 1 John in the last chapter and last verse.

“Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”

As you read the full text (see below), this verse seems a bit out of place. In reality, that last verse is the sum of all the parts of the book of 1 John.

Take a look at what A. W. Tozer says in Knowledge of the Holy.

“That God exists for Himself and man for the glory of God is the emphatic teaching of the Bible. The high honor of God is first in heaven as it must yet be in earth. From all this we may begin to understand why the Holy Scriptures have so much to say about the vital place of faith and why they brand unbelief as a deadly sin. Among all created beings, not one dare trust in itself. God alone trusts in Himself; all other beings must trust in Him. Unbelief is actually perverted faith, for it puts its trust not in the living God but in dying men. The unbeliever denies the self-sufficiency of God and usurps attributes that are not his. This dual sin dishonors God and ultimately destroys the soul of the man.”

You might be removed to say, “This isn’t talking about me because I’m a believer. I believe in Jesus!” So why did the father in Mark 9 say “I believe; help my unbelief!”?

Unbelief is rooted in idolatry. Not just any idolatry of external things and trappings, but idolatry of the worst kind: the leaning on and counting on yourself.

The usurping of God’s place and giving it unrightfully to yourself is paramount to grand theft and punishable to the full extent of the Law. Yikes!!

How do I usurp God exactly? Well, it’s simple really, and Satan made sure it would be simple. I lean on my own understanding. I try to control everything. I try to please people rather than God. As my friend Susan says “I play Holy Ghost Junior”.

Can I do it all, have it all, be it all? We women are great at that. Fitting it all in, becoming so busy and great at all we do, because after all, God calls us to be excellent in whatever we do. In the end am I just relying on my own strength? So I must remember John’s reprimand: Little children, keep yourselves from yourselves!

1 John 5:16-21
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death. We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. ~ 1 John 5:16-21 (ESV)