People are messy. We are messy too. It is not always easy to pray what God wants and not what we want. I think that we as humans are basically selfish today. We want what we want, when we want it. We want more, more, more. And if my neighbor has it I might secretly lust after that too. Lord, this selfish flesh is screaming! No wonder we need God to help us embrace our Divine Purpose. I don’t think God made us that way.
“This is the book (the written record, the history) of the generations of the offspring of Adam. When God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. He created them male and female and blessed them and named them [both] Adam [Man] at the time they were created.” – Genesis 5:1-2 AMP
The Bible says we are made in the image and likeness of God. God made us male and female and blessed us. Before we were born God knew us.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you [as My chosen instrument], and before you were born I separated and set you apart, consecrating you; [and] I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” – Jeremiah 1:5 AMP
Sin entered the world with Adam and Eve and that Serpent. That’s where I believe selfishness started. It has been in our bodies for centuries. It’s a result of the fall of man. What is selfishness? Why does God want us to overcome it?
Selfishness is described as: concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself : seeking or concentrating on one’s own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others or arising from concern with one’s own welfare or advantage in disregard of others a selfish act.
Selfishness is the belief that it’s all about me. Me, me, me. Being selfish doesn’t take into account the feelings of others. Selfish people do what they want when they want, regardless of what anyone thinks. They do not care if they hurt people. They don’t care if their words destroy people. They speak death, and not life to those around them. Selfish people don’t need God, they think they are God!
God calls us to lay down our selfish desires and love one another. He knew we would need help from the Holy Spirit to do this. Let’s confront our own selfishness and let God’s Word transform our hearts. Then we will treat others differently.
“ And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever— The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, desolate, bereaved, forlorn, helpless]; I will come [back] to you. Just a little while now, and the world will not see Me any more, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also.” – John 14:19 AMP
“So by whatever [appeal to you there is in our mutual dwelling in Christ, by whatever] strengthening and consoling and encouraging [our relationship] in Him [affords], by whatever persuasive incentive there is in love, by whatever participation in the [Holy] Spirit [we share], and by whatever depth of affection and compassionate sympathy, Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention. Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves]. Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others. Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] – _Philippians 2:1-5 AMP
My prayer for You:
Thank you Lord, for your Holy Spirit to help us overcome our own selfish desires. You have taught us that the flesh and Spirit are fighting each other all the time. Open our hearts to Your Word. Let Your Word rule in our hearts and help us to walk out this love your neighbor thing, in Jesus Name.
“For you, brethren, were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse [for selfishness], but through love you should serve one another. For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is complied with in the one precept, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself. But if you bite and devour one another [in partisan strife], be careful that you [and your whole fellowship] are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God). For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do. But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.” – Galatians 5:13-18 AMP
