Released From Selfishness
"He must increase, but I must decrease.” — John 3:30
Self-centeredness is the basic cause of much of our distress in life. Hypochondria, a mental disorder which is accompanied by melancholy and depression, is often caused by self-pity and self-centeredness. Most of us suffer from spiritual nearsightedness. Our interests, our loves, and our energies are too often focused upon ourselves. Jesus underscored the fact that His disciples were to live for others rather than for themselves. To the rich young ruler He said, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (Matt. 19:21) It wasn’t the giving away of his goods that Jesus demanded but that he be released from selfishness and its devastating effect on his personality and life. We must pray that God will teach us to open our hearts so completely to Him that there will be no room for self.
