Beware of Selfietitis

Ptr. Jess’ message about selfishness gave me a lot of realizations. Selfishness is not a simple trait that a person manifest but also a spiritual disease characterized by excessive preoccupation with one’s self and needs without thinking of others. Ptr. Jess reminded the parents that giving everything to their children, even if the intention is to provide, senseless gifts or rewards will just teach their children helplessness, entitlement, and selfishness. It made me recall and appreciate my parents’ upbringing to me. I am an unica hija but my parents raised me not to be jealous of other kids and learn how to be contented with what we have since I don’t have to impress them with expensive toys. I am also constantly reminded by my parents to avoid boastfulness and embrace humility.

3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. Philippians 2:3-4

The Problem: SELFISHNESS and it characterizes in the following:

  1. It starts with the LUST of the eyes
  2. It is SHORTSIGHTED
  3. It will DESTROY you
  4. It will make you COMPROMISE
  5. It will result to MATERIALISM
  6. It is GENERATIONAL

I was not spoiled by my parents and I have to work hard in my studies in order to get my material rewards and God’s words impressed on my heart how thankful and blessed I am to be raised right. However, admittedly that no matter how grateful I am to my parents, I realized how selfish I am with my thoughts, words, and actions. God reminded us the dangers of selfishness in 2 Timothy 3:1-4 and it hit me real straight to my heart.

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 2 Timothy 3:1-4

As Singles walking with the Spirit, Ptr. Jess reminded how selfish we are as we think of gratifying ourselves first than others. At first, I did not understand how was it selfish to make ourselves feel good but when Ptr. Jess gave concrete examples of the changes he experienced from Singles to a Married person, then I saw the whole picture of it. We are really selfish and we will never know how selfish we are not until we get married. I am currently in a relationship with another follower of Christ and this is a great realization and a strong reminder to my heart that if God intended me in becoming a wife in His perfect time, I should be practicing the antidote to this spiritual disease and that is – JOY; Jesus, Others, and You. The solution is Having the Mind of Christ and it is difficult but the message impressed on my heart that Jesus knew He is the son of God but He humbled himself to obey His Father, gave up His divine privileges, and became human because He is thinking about US first.

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
6 Though he was God,[a]
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges[b];
he took the humble position of a slave[c]
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,[d]
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11

Now, if Jesus himself had something divine to be selfish for BUT thought of US FIRST, Who Am I not to do the same?

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