Selfish Stupidity

September 25, 2009

~Denise Grant

 

“A selfish man quarrels against every sound principle of conduct by demanding his own way.” Proverbs 18:1 TLB

 

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     Ever notice how our society places value on boldness, confidence and guts? Oh at times I guess, they can be a much-needed characteristic – but too much self-assurance can lead to selfishness, that is, if it is not tempered by love.

 

     You may call it self-assertiveness, when you insist on always having your own way. But let’s get real - it’s just called plain old selfish stupidity. And it’s a sickness all of us get from time to time.

 

     Doing things “your way” may in fact seem like a good course of action – to you – but when God weighs your actions, He just may see them as selfish. Do you always consider the rights and concerns of others – before yours? The line between selfishness and assertiveness is often the line between “others” and “yourself”. 

  

    “When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily; but with honest, sensible leaders there is stability.” Proverbs 28:2

 

     Your selfishness can quickly affect those around you. A selfish employee, who steals from his company, does much to impair its efficiency. A selfish driver, who drinks before taking the wheel, not only makes the highways unsafe, but may destroy the lives of those also on the road. A selfish spouse, who has an adulterous affair, not only breaks up his family, but ruins several other families. When enough people live for themselves with little concern for how their actions affect others, the resulting moral rot can topple an entire nation – church – family – neighborhood – relationships – or workplace.

 

     Are you part of the problem - - - or part of the solution?

 

     It’s easy to slip into quiet rebellion – going about life in your own way. But the time comes when you have to choose who or what will control you. Will it be God or your own selfish personality? Once you have chosen to be controlled by God’s noble Spirit, you will need to reaffirm that choice every single day.

 

     True Christians prefer and place others before themselves; they are humble and seek to serve rather than be served – just as Christ lived and died.

     People with selfish desires often seek to fulfill them in power-hungry or ruthless ways. Examine your ambition to see if they are self-centered or God-centered. Be sure you always seek to meet your desires in a way God would approve.

 

     Beware of wanting your own way, because eventually you just may get it – along with all its painful consequences.

 

Dear God,

 

     Sometimes I get so overwhelmed by the frustrations of daily life and the difficulties of this world that I can only see what’s right in front of my face – me!  Help me always look up, so my eyes focus first, only and always on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Denise Grant - Just "clay" in the Master Potter's hands.

God is the source of my existence. He has become my Lord and my friend. It is He alone who keeps me functioning each day and the absolute only reason I bother to get up in the mornings. I am a precious daughter of the Most High King and I know that I am absolutely worthless without Him! Side by side with the Savior -  ...."I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me". Philippians. 4:13 

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."  2 Chronicles 7:14