Day 3: Saved From Self

The chief product of the fallen (sin) nature seems to be the immediate focus on self.

After the fall at Eden, Adam and Eve immediately realized they were naked. They had never bothered about their appearance before then. Suddenly their gaze was no longer on Abba but on their bodies (self). It is interesting that no one teaches a toddler how to be selfish. Parents are often amazed at how their young children suddenly display a hostile attitude towards others who approach their toys. While this is not always the case the times when we have to deal with these types of outbursts we are reminded especially as followers of Jesus of the sinful nature.

This description is not limited to children. We see it in ourselves as we grow and even as we become adults. Selfishness is an inordinate amount of focus on oneself to the detriment of others. Lucifer’s downfall from an Archangelic position in the Heavenly order occurred when he turned his eyes away from God and began to focus on himself and his beauty and consequently wanted the throne of God for himself. A once intricately beautiful and majestic being became satan the ugly devil, the old serpent that deceives the whole world.

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, (hell) To the lowest depths of the Pit.”

Isaiah 14:12-15 NKJV

Selfish behavior is actually a function of deep-seated pride and they are twin siblings. Paul in his letter to the church in Philippi encourages the believers then and now to not only think of the things that concern them alone. We must draw a line of balance between caring for ourselves, our families, and an appetite that is never satisfied. The featured image reminds me of a very colorful and attractive world and there’s such a pull towards everything but truth be told I cannot have and be everything. May God give us the grace to be thankful for being one of the many colors contributing to making a tapestry of a beautiful community wherever we are planted.

“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.”

Philippians 2:3 NLT

As I write this today, I sense a need to ask those who read as I will do for myself a declaration and prayer of fresh commitment to worship God this year. Will you make the declaration? Let us do it together

Declaration

Father in Heaven Your word says the whole duty of man is to worship God. I declare today that all I am and have is Yours. For all I am and will ever be by Your amazing grace, I return praise and glory to You. I live to worship you, to walk with you, and enjoy fellowship with you. Nothing will ever separate me from You. I turn my eyes from myself, my needs, and everything else and fix my gaze on You. I receive deliverance from self in the name of your Son Jesus Christ. Amen

Prayer

Please spend some time in prayer and meditation as you are led. Always remember to begin with praise and thanksgiving. In what might you have been selfish? God is changing you as you yield to Him.