Combating Self-Centerdness
The wisdom of this world teaches that many of your problems stem from a "bad self-image" or "low self-esteem." The natural man’s wisdom also states that you must learn to love yourself before you can love others, that you must raise your self-esteem, that your “perceived” needs must be met so you can help others, that you must forgive yourself before you can find peace, that you are of infinite worth because of “the god within” you, or that you must “get in touch” with yourself and your feelings before finding fulfillment in living. All of these views are in error, since they conflict with the truth of God’s Word.
Love is not self-seeking.
I Cor. 13:5 “Love is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered.”
Selfish ambition brings its bitter fruit.
James 3:14-16. “If you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
Jesus condemned James and John for their self-seeking attitude and he calls us all too humble service.
Matt. 20:26-28. “ whosoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave just as he Son of Man did not come to be serve, but o serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Jesus calls us to self-denial.
Luke 9:23-25. “Then he said to them all: ‘if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it, What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?’
Don’t be self-centered, but think of others.
1 Cor.10:24. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
Follow Jesus’ example by thinking of how to please others.
Rom. 15:2-3. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself.
NOTE:
All sripture is quoted from the NIV (New International Version)
