We were created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27), and we should be proud of that, but at what point does it become prideful or self-righteous? Billy Graham and Ruth Bell Graham understood that we are beautiful in God’s image, but we should never let self-respect overtake God-respect.

Substitute of God-respect

Self-respect is a wonderful thing so long as it is not produced by self-deception. A lady said to her minister, “This morning I stood in front of the mirror for half an hour admiring my beauty. Do you think I committed the sin of pride?” The minster replied, “No, I don’t think you committed the sin of pride—it was more the sin of a faulty imagination.”

Too often our self-respect is unjustified—it is often a substitute of God-respect.

from “The Wit and Wisdom of Billy Graham” by Billy Graham

Odd This Twisted Form

from “Sitting by my Laughing Fire” by Ruth Bell Graham