Selfishness

To be selfish is probably one of the worst characteristics that a person can possess. Selfishness is in complete contradiction of what God has ordained us to do.

Webster's dictionary defines selfishness as being concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself: seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well being without regard for others. I think we all suffer from this. Some more extensively than others.
2 Timothy tells us that "For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, proud, blasphemers,disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy." We are all guilty of a couple of these I'm sure. Jesus was definitely not selfish, making the ultimate sacrifice. This man gave his LIFE. We, on the other hand, can't even let go of pettiness. We aren't willing to sacrifice for another without grumbling and complaining. We complain about helping our fellow man. It's a problem any time we have to do something outside of what WE want to do.

We can even be selfish in the fact that we take pride in the "getting someone told" mentality. We also like to point out others people's faults when we should be concentrating on our own shortcomings. We say and do whatever we feel without regard to the other individual. What we don't realize is that we are damaging relationships.

One thing that you have to understand is that selfishness hinders love. When we are so concerned with ourselves, we aren't focused on anyone else. So when there are opportunities to "love" another person, we can't because they are not our focus. We are not in tune with other individuals which in turn means that we are not fulfilling what God has purposed for us to do. We are always looking for what someone else can do for us or we have our lips poked out about what someone did not do for us that WE felt like they should have!

We have to get the mind of Christ. if we believe the word of God, be the word of God. Possess the fruits of the spirit and selfishness will completely be removed from your life. Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-control.

Peace and Love