My God and His Money Overcoming Self
WE Have Met the Enemy Walt Kelly and Edward R. Murrow Circa 1953
Romans 7:19 19 For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish. Paul is contrasting a life lived by the Sprit (vrs). the flesh, and he is willing to say that even Christians, Faith Walkers, Spirit Walkers, sometimes listen to the wrong counselors, namely the often egotistical counsel of our own hearts.
In the Battle Over Greed Selfishness is the real enemy... Jer. 17:9 (KJV) The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked: who can know it? - (NIV) beyond cure. Who can under-stand it? (IDEA= Know it to control it) Prov. 28:26 - He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered. (NAS)
Internet Wisdom from Oprah When you honor the wisdom in your heart, then you act from the core of your being. http://www.oprah.com/spirit/listen-to-your-heart- Not-Your-Head Leading one of Oprah s blog followers TxAngel1975 to write: [Mon 7/2/2012 11:43 AM] i thought it said in the Book of Life that we must not listen or follow our hearts, did i mix that up?
RE. Covetousness The Bible repeatedly warns against this sin: (Josh. 7:21; Rom. 7:7; 2 Pet. 2:10). In truth, the best and really ONLY way to avoid a self-centered, covetous attitude is to trust the Lord and to put His Will above our own (Gal. 6:7-9; 2 Thes. 3:6-15).
JESUS SAID
The BIBLE Says Overcoming Self means to be a conqueror in Christ (Rom. 8:37) Conquering one's selfish pride. It is self-centered pride (Prov. 29:23) which prevents a soul from being ready and willing to obey God. Selfishness EVEN stops souls from seeking Christ (Matt. 7:7).
Matthew 16:24 RE. Self-Denial Jesus didn t mean that they should cease to be themselves. He chose them for their individual traits. Rather, He called them to follow Him, and BY GOD S GRACE learn to overcome their selfish ambitions, utilizing their unique God-given personalities and talents for the Savior.
Pride IS Vain thinking. It is when people falsely pretend to know God's Will when they do not; Or think that their way is as good as God s Or think that they don t need God (1 Tim. 6:3; James 4:6-10); Or worst of all = believe There is no God, (See Psalm 14:1).
Put Off s and Put On s Colossians 3:9-10 As we become Christians [essentially at our Baptism], followers of Christ put off the old man with his selfish deeds, and put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him. In fact, that old man is to be crucified (Gal. 2:20) and buried once and for all, (Rom. 6:6-11) with Christ.
Put Off s and Put On s Again, this conversion is consummated as we are "buried with Christ in baptism (Rom. 6:3-5). In baptism, we "put on Christ," (Gal. 3:27). Likewise, after baptism into the death of Christ, Rom. 6:4-5 says that ALL Christians should walk (live) in "newness" of life. This new life shall be "in the likeness of His resurrection."
1 Cor. 5:17 = New Creatures This reference is to A New Understanding of the Lord s Will (Eph 5:17) Including A new relationship to Christ (Rom. 8:1-2) A new understanding of worship (Jn. 4:24) A new true religion (1 Jn. 4:1-6; James 1:22-27) A new friendship (Jn. 15:14) A new hope of heaven (Heb. 11:16; Titus 1:2)
In Acts 2:36-42 Some 3000 people "gladly received" the Word of Truth, and proved it by their obedience. They had just been told that they had been the crucifiers of Christ, Acts 2:23,36. Now, it was time for them to crucify themselves, IE. to overcome self, and obey Christ. Question: Just what did they obey? Answer: the pristine Gospel of Christ.
When We Only Care for Ourselves When a person only cares about and focuses on himself, it prevents that person from establishing and experiencing true and genuine relationships Understand that genuinely faithful relationships (particularly with GOD) are more important and more valuable than possessing money and material possessions.
Unselfish Living Remember EVERYTHING we have comes from God. Focus on others and not only yourself. Start giving to the poor, widows and orphans... (= pure religion). Be sensitive to people's needs around you in your environment. (Discern= their real needs) Reach out to them in a caring manner and help them. Keep the focus off of self alone which will help you to be a more FAITHFUL person emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
Selfishness An Age Old Problem It s as old as Cain's coldblooded words concerning Abel Haman's selfish conceit James and John's seeking of high position The priest and Levite's passing by the wounded man (parable of the good Samaritan). In the case of Judas Iscariot, this attitude led to the ultimate selfish act betrayal of our Savior.
1 Cor. 10:31 "Whatever you do, [you] do it ALL to the glory of God." This means we are to DO EVERYTHING we do FOR GOD S GLORY and not your own.
Oprah may think.but God says! Learn to be unselfish. Start by remembering everything we have comes from God. Listen to God and not to your Heart. Trust God as your provider, and deliberately overcome selfishness. Become an overwhelming Conqueror in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Jesus Said: Luke 18:14 Everyone who exalts himself (in this life) shall be humbled, but he who who humbles himself (before God) shall be exalted." Will you be exalted by God?