THE PROBLEM WITH SELF-SEEKING
THE PROBLEM WITH SELF-SEEKING
Past. Melody vd Merwe
16 January 2011 (pm)
James 3:13-18
For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there…
AMP ,
Good News Translation: v13 Is there anyone among you who is wise and understanding? He is to prove it by his good life, by his good deeds performed with humility and wisdom. v14 But if in your heart you are jealous, bitter, and selfish, don’t sin against the truth by boasting of your wisdom. V15 Such wisdom does not come down from heaven; it belongs to the world, it is unspiritual and demonic. V16 Where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is also disorder and every kind of evil. V17 But the wisdom from above is pure first of all; it is also peaceful, gentle, and friendly; it is full of compassion and produces a harvest of good deeds; it is free from prejudice and hypocrisy. 18 And goodness is the harvest that is produced from the seeds the peacemakers plant in peace.”
Living Bible: … if you are wise, live a life of steady goodness, so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don’t brag about them, then you will be truly wise! And by all means don’t brag about being wise and good if you are bitter and jealous and selfish; that is the worst sort of lie. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, inspired by the devil. For wherever there is jealousy or selfish ambition, there will be disorder and ever other kind of evil. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness. Then it is peace-loving and courteous. It allows discussion and is willing to yield to others; it is full of mercy and good deeds. It is wholehearted and straightforward and sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.
WW (Spiritfilled life Bible) Selfish Ambition – Phil1:16
SELFISHNESS = OPPOSITE OF LOVE
- Selfishness – what about me, my needs, my wants, my happiness, my success…
- Me, Myself, I – IDOLATRY
IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU – ABOUT GOD, HIS KINGDOM
Love fruit of the spirit – called to walk in love – as God is, so are we in this world… 1 John 4:14
1 John 4:12-17
Fruit of the flesh = Selfishness – self-seeking
1 Cor 13:4-7 (NKJ / AMP / TLB)
Not about me.
Gal 2:20 …I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me…
Eph 5:1-11
THE PROBLEM WITH SELF-SEEKING OR SELFISHNESS, IS, IT’S A SIN!!!
SAY WHAT GOD SAYS!
SAY WHAT GOD SAYS!
Past. Melody vd Merwe
16 January 2011 (am)
Eph 5:1
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children…
John 5:18-20 …I do that which I see my Father do…
John 12:49 …for I have not spoken on my own authority; but the Father who sent me gave me a command, what I should say and what I should speak…
Our words dominate us. We will never rise above the confession of our lips.
Prov 6:2 (NKJV) …you are snared with the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of your mouth…
1 John 4:17 …as God is, so are we, in this world…
Prov 18:20+21 …a man’s stomach shall be…
Have the Faith of God!
Mark 11:22-24
Romans 10:17 …faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God…
Shooting a gun with blanks vs Shooting with live ammunition.
NB!! Heb 11:3 …by faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God. (Gen 1:3,6,9,11,14,20,24,24-29+30)
Imitate Jesus
- He spent much time in prayer – never prayed the problem.
- He spoke accurately, never crooked speech. Said what God said. Matt 12:36
- Spoke the end result – not the problem. Not present circumstances. Spoke the desired result. Mark 11:14
- Said what the Word said … it is written. Matt 4:4 (Prov 18:20 …a man’s stomach…)
- Spoke directly TO the problem, trees, storms, waves, wind, demons, satan and they all obeyed Him. Mark 11:14
Operated in the earth as the Son of Man – Only those born here have authority here.
Say what God says to your circumstances.
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