Loving Self Creates Chaos and Disobedience

The more we are in love with ourselves the less we can love others.

Isn't it interesting that the world teaches just the opposite of the biblical principle of self love. The school systems, the colleges, the high schools and even in elementary schools everyone is robotically repeating the mantra, "you have to love yourself first in order to love others."

Sounds very good until one understands the principle of love through God's eyes. We are born loving ourselves too much, so much so that we have to be trained to love others. We don't have to train a two year old to be selfish, that comes automatically, instinctively they demand their way without any thought of their parents or siblings.

While the devil has been deceiving people into placing themselves above everyone including God, he has managed to convince the selfishly inclined that they are doing a good thing by elevating self to god like status. The same way he deceived Eve in the garden, he has been convincing people clear until this very day, to view themselves as first and foremost above every person and even God.

Philippians 2:2-4 "…2 then make my joy complete by being of one mind, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

As believers our joy is rooted in our security in Christ, His provision, His truth and His ability to be the Fatherly figure we need outweighs any need to be accepted or elevated by man. When we elevate Him above ourselves and above others we walk in confidence and joy, without worries and anxieties.

1 Peter 5:6-8 "…6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you. 7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

Self focus creates insecurity, our idols are men rather than confidence in Christ. The devil wants us to be insecure, dependent on the acceptance of men, it gives him more power over us.

The devil has no power over born again believers who are confident about who they are in Christ. The devil demands the building of pride, the very thing that got him thrown out of heaven. God demands humility and trust in Him, this brings great joy and spiritual and emotional stability.

Hallelujah!!!!

Christ Works in Us

An authentic person is not one who scans the room to see what others are doing and then act acceptable to others.

The authentic person is themselves no matter who they are with. How others expect an authentic person to act is not important to them, they must remain true to what they believe.

As born again believers we are not concerned with being accepted by man. Since we are accepted by Christ our only concern and prayer is that Christ work in us His way in His timing.

Whether or not I am "good enough" is not worthy of our attention. We know we are not good enough, we cannot be good enough. It is only Christ Who is good enough and He has imputed His goodness to us.

Christ will grow us and change us over time throughout our lives, no need to worry about it or agonize over how much we have grown.

1 Peter 2:4-6 "4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For this is contained in Scripture:"