What does EGW write about...
Ellen Gould White über: "People who like to photograph themselves and want to present themselves"
Answer
The desire to portray and present oneself through pictures often stems from excessive self‑love and vanity, which waste valuable time and resources. Instead of seeking God, many people spend precious hours perfecting their appearance and seeking the admiration of others. This fixation on one's own appearance is considered a spiritual hindrance that weakens character and distracts from the true purpose of a Christian life.
The Danger of Self‑Presentation
The hearts of youth are filled with self‑love. This is shown in their desire to have their faces photographed by the artist; and they are not satisfied with being portrayed once, but repeatedly sit for their picture model, each time hoping that the latest will surpass all previous efforts and appear truly more beautiful than the original. The money of their Lord is wasted in this way, and what is gained? Only their meager shadow on paper. The hours that should be devoted to prayer are spent with their own wretched self; precious hours of grace are thus squandered.
Fallen Vanity and Public Exhibition
Some youths are so eager for self‑presentation that they are even willing to abandon the Christian name if they can simply follow their inclination toward vanity in clothing and love of pleasure. Self‑denial in dress is part of our Christian duty. Dressing plainly and refraining from the display of jewelry and ornaments of any kind is in harmony with our faith.
The Idolatry of Self
She is vain about herself, and her highest aim is to make herself attractive. She regards herself with great favor. In short, she worships herself. Her vanity and ornamentation influence a class of spirits like her own... while sensible youths and careful observers are disgusted.
External Splendor versus Inner Values
Where one worships at the altar of fashion, there is little character strength and little physical energy. They live for no great purpose, and their lives achieve no worthy goal. We encounter women everywhere whose whole spirit and heart are consumed by their love of clothing and self‑presentation. The soul of femininity is thus stunted and degraded, and their thoughts focus on their poor, contemptible self.
- Vanity and Self‑Presentation
- Wasting Grace Time
- Christian Simplicity
Original Sources (English)
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