--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The essence of sin is a shift from God…" description: "\"The essence of sin is a shift from God centeredness to a self-centeredness. The essence of salvation is a denial of self, not an affirming of self.\" — ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d63/henry-blackaby-10732_affirming_the-essence-of-sin-is-a-shift-from-god-c_1766612.png" --- # The essence of sin is a shift from God centeredness to a… ![“The essence of sin is a shift from God centeredness to a self-centeredness. The essence of salvation is a denial of self, not an affirming of self.” quote by Henry Blackaby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d63/henry-blackaby-10732_affirming_the-essence-of-sin-is-a-shift-from-god-c_1766612.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d63/henry-blackaby-10732_affirming_the-essence-of-sin-is-a-shift-from-god-c_1766612.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d63/henry-blackaby-10732_affirming_the-essence-of-sin-is-a-shift-from-god-c_1766612.png) > “The essence of sin is a shift from God centeredness to a self-centeredness. The essence of salvation is a denial of self, not an affirming of self.” [Henry Blackaby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-blackaby/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Sin is turning away from God toward self; salvation is letting go of self, not boosting it. **In simple terms:** Sin is self‑centered; salvation is self‑less. Key Takeaway Release ego to find purpose. Themes spirituality ethics self Mood reflective serious Type inspirational theological When to use this quote - personal growth - faith practice - counseling - community service Key Concepts theology self‑sacrifice Questions to Reflect On - How does self‑lessness shape your purpose? - What risks arise when ego dominates? A Different Perspective Self‑denial can be misinterpreted as self‑neglect. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Centeredness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/centeredness/) [Denial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/denial/) [Essence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/essence/) [Salvation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/salvation/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self centeredness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-centeredness/) [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/) ## Related quotes > [“The essence of sin is we human beings substituting ourselves for God, while the essence of salvation is God substituting himself for us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-j-keller/the-essence-of-sin-is-we-human-beings-substituting-ourselves-for-god/) [Timothy J. Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-j-keller/) > [ For the essence of sin is man substituting himself for God \[Gen. 3:1-7\], while the essence of salvation is God substituting himself for man… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stott/for-the-essence-of-sin-is-man-substituting-himself-for-god-gen-3-1-7/) [John Stott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stott/) > [I think that may be the biggest difference between Americans and people elsewhere. Unlike Americans, Canadians know that there are places just as real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-jacobs/i-think-that-may-be-the-biggest-difference-between-americans-and/) [Jane Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-jacobs/) > [We are unlikely to cease making gods or inventing ceremonies to please them for as long as we are afraid of death, or of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/we-are-unlikely-to-cease-making-gods-or-inventing-ceremonies-to/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [I have no self-centeredness or ego about being a movie star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shahrukh-khan/i-have-no-self-centeredness-or-ego-about-being-a-movie-star/) [Shahrukh Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shahrukh-khan/) > [The whole story of the Father's Christ-exalting plan of redeeming love, from eternity to eternity, must be told, or the radical reorientation of life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/the-whole-story-of-the-father-s-christ-exalting-plan-of-redeeming/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [Insecure leaders think everything is about them, and as a result, every action, every piece of information, every decision is put through their filter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/insecure-leaders-think-everything-is-about-them-and-as-a-result-every/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Human cultures are all experiments in trying to find a form that will fit the matter of our immediacy; but it is absolutely not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/human-cultures-are-all-experiments-in-trying-to-find-a-form-that-will/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [Immensity is always there, but we so often become numb to it, or deceive ourselves into thinking our own lives and selves are what's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-hirshfield/immensity-is-always-there-but-we-so-often-become-numb-to-it-or/) [Jane Hirshfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-hirshfield/) > [To be politically activated is to dare to care about the happiness of others and that is just about the most important activity anyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gannon/to-be-politically-activated-is-to-dare-to-care-about-the-happiness-of/) [Sharon Gannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gannon/) > [Self-centeredness will bring on the destruction of our world. National pride separates people. All people need the same thing. When you really get down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacque-fresco/self-centeredness-will-bring-on-the-destruction-of-our-world-national/) [Jacque Fresco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacque-fresco/) > [I think we've become a TV culture, where we forget the live performer in front of us can see us. I think there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-benanti/i-think-we-ve-become-a-tv-culture-where-we-forget-the-live-performer/) [Laura Benanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-benanti/) > [Raising or caring for children requires sacrifice and service, which, I believe, heals us from the destructive forces of self-centeredness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/raising-or-caring-for-children-requires-sacrifice-and-service-which-i/) [Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/) > [We must get away from this limited \*I did this and I did that\* and the self-centeredness, that dominates our society Today. It must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacque-fresco/we-must-get-away-from-this-limited-i-did-this-and-i-did-that-and-the/) [Jacque Fresco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacque-fresco/) > [So much of the world's suffering results from the sinful action or inaction of ourselves and others. For example, people look at a famine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-strobel/so-much-of-the-world-s-suffering-results-from-the-sinful-action-or/) [Lee Strobel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-strobel/) ## More by Henry Blackaby > [Because God wants to take you in ever-increasing measures to know Him. And the only way you can know Him is by experiencing Him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-blackaby/because-god-wants-to-take-you-in-ever-increasing-measures-to-know-him/) [Henry Blackaby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-blackaby/) > [Ultimately, leadership is more about 'being' than 'doing.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-blackaby/ultimately-leadership-is-more-about-being-than-doing/) [Henry Blackaby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-blackaby/) > [If you have been given a word from God, you must continue in that direction until it comes to pass (even twenty five years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-blackaby/if-you-have-been-given-a-word-from-god-you-must-continue-in-that/) [Henry Blackaby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-blackaby/) > [We were not saved from our sin simply so that we would qualify for heaven. God delivered us so we would have a relationship…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-blackaby/we-were-not-saved-from-our-sin-simply-so-that-we-would-qualify-for/) [Henry Blackaby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-blackaby/) > [To be loved by God is the highest relationship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-blackaby/to-be-loved-by-god-is-the-highest-relationship/) [Henry Blackaby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-blackaby/) > [When you meet opposition to your faith, your first reaction may be anger toward your antagonist. This may divert your attention from the deeper,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-blackaby/when-you-meet-opposition-to-your-faith-your-first-reaction-may-be/) [Henry Blackaby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-blackaby/) > [If you know that God loves you, you should never question a directive from Him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-blackaby/if-you-know-that-god-loves-you-you-should-never-question-a-directive/) [Henry Blackaby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-blackaby/) > [Prayerless leaders are like ship captains without compasses; they can make their best guess at which direction to go, but they have no assurance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-blackaby/prayerless-leaders-are-like-ship-captains-without-compasses-they-can/) [Henry Blackaby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-blackaby/) > [The reality is that the Lord never calls the qualified; He qualifies the called.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-blackaby/the-reality-is-that-the-lord-never-calls-the-qualified-he-qualifies/) [Henry Blackaby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-blackaby/) > [If we function according to our ability alone, we get the glory; if we function according to the power of the Spirit within us,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-blackaby/if-we-function-according-to-our-ability-alone-we-get-the-glory-if-we/) [Henry Blackaby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-blackaby/) > [Jesus taught that your highest priority must be your relationship with Him. If anything detracts you from that relationship, that activity is not from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-blackaby/jesus-taught-that-your-highest-priority-must-be-your-relationship/) [Henry Blackaby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-blackaby/) > [Our difficulty is not that we don't know God's will. Our discomfort comes from the fact that we do know His will, but we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-blackaby/our-difficulty-is-not-that-we-don-t-know-god-s-will-our-discomfort/) [Henry Blackaby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-blackaby/) > [If things are getting darker, the problem is with us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-blackaby/if-things-are-getting-darker-the-problem-is-with-us/) [Henry Blackaby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-blackaby/) > [How you live your life is a testimony of what you believe about God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-blackaby/how-you-live-your-life-is-a-testimony-of-what-you-believe-about-god/) [Henry Blackaby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-blackaby/) > [When God spoke to Moses and others in the Old Testament, those events were encounters with God. An encounter with Jesus was an encounter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-blackaby/when-god-spoke-to-moses-and-others-in-the-old-testament-those-events/) [Henry Blackaby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-blackaby/) [Explore all 63 Henry Blackaby quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-blackaby/) ## More Affirming quotes > [I don't think that writing, real writing, has much to do with affirming belief--if anything it causes rifts and gaps in belief which make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-evenson/i-don-t-think-that-writing-real-writing-has-much-to-do-with-affirming/) [Brian Evenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-evenson/) > [Change your thoughts, change your life. —LAO TZU When I was fighting depression, I remember hearing this expression and not understanding it at first.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/change-your-thoughts-change-your-life-lao-tzu-when-i-was-fighting/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [Where a generation ago people felt entitled to a chance at education, they now feel entitled to the credential affirming that they have completed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-a-henry-iii/where-a-generation-ago-people-felt-entitled-to-a-chance-at-education/) [William A. Henry III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-a-henry-iii/) > [To create something beautiful about despair or out of a feeling of despair is for me the most hopeful life affirming thing a person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-kane/to-create-something-beautiful-about-despair-or-out-of-a-feeling-of/) [Sarah Kane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-kane/) > [“By affirming that all 'meaning,' every assertion about the significance of life and reality, must be judged by reference to a brief succession of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rowan-williams/by-affirming-that-all-meaning-every-assertion-about-the-significance/) [Rowan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rowan-williams/) > [It feels intimate and life affirming to me when someone tweets things that appear to just be insane thoughts they had and typed out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mira-gonzalez/it-feels-intimate-and-life-affirming-to-me-when-someone-tweets-things/) [Mira Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mira-gonzalez/) > [ \[F\]or academic men to be happy, the universe would have to take shape. All of philosophy has no other goal: it is a matter… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-bataille/f-or-academic-men-to-be-happy-the-universe-would-have-to-take-shape/) [Georges Bataille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-bataille/) > [It is so inspiring to see a new group coming together not to focus on a particular war or weapons system, but on all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/medea-benjamin/it-is-so-inspiring-to-see-a-new-group-coming-together-not-to-focus-on/) [Medea Benjamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/medea-benjamin/) > [I think we're in a new era where the advancing tide is towards human unity, where people all around the world want to come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-kucinich/i-think-we-re-in-a-new-era-where-the-advancing-tide-is-towards-human/) [Dennis Kucinich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-kucinich/) > [Despite two decisions, in 2008 and 2010, by the U.S. Supreme Court unequivocally affirming that the Second Amendment to the Constitution guarantees an individual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-barr/despite-two-decisions-in-2008-and-2010-by-the-u-s-supreme-court/) [Bob Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-barr/) > [To be honest, I am not theatre-trained and though I am confident in my skill set, to do theatre requires a better-tuned set of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamlyn-tomita/to-be-honest-i-am-not-theatre-trained-and-though-i-am-confident-in-my/) [Tamlyn Tomita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamlyn-tomita/) > [The fact that you have a policy of such consequence directly affecting millions of people and you have a legal question of great consequence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-verrilli-jr/the-fact-that-you-have-a-policy-of-such-consequence-directly/) [Donald Verrilli Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-verrilli-jr/) > [Action eradicates fear. No matter what you fear,--- positive, self-affirming action can diminish or completely cancel that which you are fearful of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-victor-hansen/action-eradicates-fear-no-matter-what-you-fear-positive-self/) [Mark Victor Hansen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-victor-hansen/) > [Coming out to gays is a way of affirming sanity and self-worth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-weinberg/coming-out-to-gays-is-a-way-of-affirming-sanity-and-self-worth/) [George Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-weinberg/) > [“we are affirming our trust that creation means well within us all, and that whatever painful growth and change may lie ahead, it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-silf/we-are-affirming-our-trust-that-creation-means-well-within-us-all-and/) [Margaret Silf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-silf/) Browse all 167 Affirming quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The essence of sin is a shift from God centeredness to a self-centeredness. 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