Being Selfish Can Ruin Your Life! |

Sometimes it’s beneficial to take a word and see what the Bible has to say about it. And since I’ve seen so much selfishness, I thought it would a good topic to discuss – to see what God says about it.

We live in a “Me” world. In fact, the world preaches… If it feels good, do it. If you want it, then go for it. If it makes you happy, then reach for it. People will exalt their own desires, wants, and ambitions, while pushing others’ aside.

But here’s the thing: the Bible condemns such behavior. Let’s look at this…

Being selfish is…

Not God’s way!

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:24 that “No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.” He also writes “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others” (Philippians 2:3).

Jesus Christ gave up the glories of heaven to come to the earth. He put you and me before Himself. He put our salvation above His own comfort. He had us on His mind when He was savagely beaten and nailed to a sinners cross. Jesus was anything but selfish.

I’m fairly certain that each of us wants to walk in the ways of God – to obey His statutes.

Selfishness is NOT His way.

Being selfish is…

Not walking in the love of God!

Here’s a sobering verse… “If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion – how can God’s love be in that person” (1 John 3:17)?

If we don’t have God’s love abounding in our lives, then how can we be lights for the kingdom? How can we lead others to Jesus? How can we influence others in a positive way through Christ?

Simply, we CANNOT!

Selfishness is NOT walking in the love of God.

Being selfish is…

A sign of the end days!

The New Testament is full of references to the end days. And none of them are good. The end days (and we’re seeing so many of these things now) will be full of every form of evil, including selfishness.

Paul writes to Timothy: “You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful” (2 Timothy 3:1-2).

I surely don’t want to be acting out what the Bible calls “end-day sins.” Do you?

Selfishness is a sign of the end days.

Being selfish is…

Earthly, unspiritual, and demonic!

We read in James, “For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic” (James 3:15).

Hence, selfishness and jealousy seem to be connected and they are not from God. They are of Satan since he is the leader of the demonic forces. Selfishness is an evil spirit that takes root and that Satan fuels with lies. If selfishness is driving our behavior, then we are driven by our fleshly desires, not by God’s law.

Selfishness is surely earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.

Being selfish is…

A recipe for disorder!

If we continue in James 3, we read, “For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind” (James 3:16).

I would say this is not a recipe for healthy relationships or joyful spirits. Selfishness causes chaos in every area our lives. When we are led by selfishness, we are robbed of joy and peace. No aspect of our lives will seem complete or full. And disorder affects every person in our lives, too.

Selfishness will push people away, rather than draw them close.

Selfishness is a recipe for disorder.

Allow me to close with some verses that can help us overcome selfishness:

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25).

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves (Romans 12:10).

Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up (Romans 15:2).

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4).

Some of the key words in the above verses are: generous, devote, honor, love, please, build up, value.

If we apply these truths to our lives and seek to overcome selfishness, we’ll have better and stronger relationships, joyful spirits, and peace of mind.

Please share your comments and please pass this along to others.

Blessings,