The Bible is clear that outside of Christ, in our own human nature, and without Him, we are nothing, and we can do nothing. We're "unprofitable for any good work" until we are called and saved by His grace. But people continue to give pep-talk of a supposed human strength and inner "goodness" that humans have within us, and this is another lie from the pit of hell.
The Bible states that if there is ANY boasting to be done, let it be done only in Christ's work but not in our own human strength or self worth.
Humans are in need of salvation. We are in need to "deny" and humble ourselves every day. Before Christ we are defeated and in need of a savior. We don't have any power or strength to do ANY good outside of Christ.
Quite the contrary to this, is the pep-talk that teaches people that there is a human power of goodness within us that we can elevate, tap into or acknowledge.
People who get trapped into this thinking have a problem understanding God's holiness and what "Good" really is. They fall for the temptation of self-pride which is what brought Lucifer down from glory. It's the oldest sin in the book.
The Christian message is about humility and self-sacrifice; being last in order to be first; goodness through Christ and denying self, etc. But it can never be accomplished through our own strength or inner-power unless we're okay with handing down what Christ called "Filthy rags"!
So lets leave the pep-talk of "inner-power" and "inner-goodness" for Joel Osteen and Oprah. As Christians, lets abide in Christ and His Word so we can understand true goodness and true power through Christ and Christ alone. Any pep-talk or message that fails to acknowledge or mention the work of the Holy Spirit in empowering and regenerating us is lifting human power and potential above God, and it's blasphemy.
