Right now I'm taking a Psych class and an Inductive Bible Study Class through Liberty. One cool thing about many of my classes is that we study and then compare to a Christ focused world view. Following is a post from my homework assignment. They are a response to Alfred Adler's "Safeguarding Tendencies" that insecure people use to "protect" themselves. It's not too deep because it couldn't be over 250 words. Enjoy.
Adler’s “safe guarding tendencies” are a persons attempt to make themselves look good while making others look bad. In Matthew 22:39b, we are told, “love your neighbor as yourself” (NLT), which is as important as loving God. The “safe guarding tendencies” represent behaviors that many exhibit, but are biblically wrong.
“Excuses” are listed as the most common, widely used safe guarding tendency. In Genesis 3, the Bible gives an account of Adam blaming his sin on Eve, who blamed her sin on a serpent. Both Adam and Eve knew right from wrong, but chose to do wrong, and were quick to excuse their sin on someone else! That is an example of the selfishness exhibited in the common tendency of excuse making.
The second tendency mentioned is “aggression”. These tendencies directly contradict John 13:35, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” In no way are these aggression tendencies a luxury for Christian behavior, because they treat others poorly and/or excuse us treating others poorly.
Withdrawal is the third listed behavior. Withdrawal is wrong because it often manipulates others while it inflates us. Sin can be a withdrawal method (consciously or unconsciously) used so people can be complacent as Christians and not follow God, i.e. “I’m not worthy of doing … because my relationship with God isn’t right”. Jonah used withdrawal tendencies against God.
These tendencies are obvious in the lives of many people, including mine. They don’t represent the character of Christ.
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