Introduction

Good morning, Church family. It's a joy to be with you today. We're going to be delving into the book of James, specifically chapter 4, verses 1 to 6.

Oscar Wilde once said, "Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live." I believe this quote beautifully encapsulates the message we're about to explore today.

Take a look at the Scripture with me, it reads:

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'" (NIV)

Let's take a moment to invite God's presence as we unpack this.

Turning Away from Selfishness

Turning away from selfishness is a call to shift our focus from self to God and others. The Apostle James, in the passage we just read, highlights the destructive nature of selfishness. He points out that our desires, when unchecked, can lead to quarrels, fights, and even murder. This is a reminder that selfishness is not a benign trait; it has the potential to cause serious harm to our relationships and our spiritual health.

Selfishness definition: At its core it’s a preoccupation with our own desires, needs, and ambitions, often at the expense of others. It's a mindset that prioritizes 'me' over 'we.' But the Bible calls us to a different standard. It calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves, to consider others better than ourselves, and to look not only to our own interests but also to the interests of others. This is a radical departure from the self-centered way of living that is often promoted in our society.

Recognizing its presence in our lives: It's easy to see selfishness in others, but it's much harder to see it in ourselves. We need to ask God to search our hearts and reveal any areas of selfishness that we may be harboring. This requires humility and a willingness to confront the uncomfortable truth about ourselves.

Repent and turn away from them: Repentance is not just feeling sorry for our actions; it's a decision to change our behavior. It's choosing to put God and others before ourselves. This is not a one-time event but a continual process. Every day, we need to make the conscious choice to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus.

We don't have to do this in our own strength: God promises to give us the grace we need to overcome selfishness. In the passage we read, James says, "But he gives us more grace." This is a powerful promise. No matter how deeply ingrained our selfish tendencies may be, God's grace is sufficient to help us overcome them.

Changing the way we pray: James points out that sometimes we don't receive what we ask for because we ask with wrong motives, intending to spend what we get on our pleasures. This is a form of selfishness. Instead of asking God to fulfill our selfish desires, we should ask Him to align our desires with His. Our prayers should not be about getting what we want, but about wanting what God wants.

It's a challenging journey, but one that leads to a more fulfilling and God-honoring life.

Living for God Instead of Self

Living for God instead of self is the idea of surrendering our own desires, ambitions, and plans to God, and allowing His will to guide our lives ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO