Denying self may very well be one of the most difficult tasks within the heart of a Christian. So often, self rises to the surface in even the most sanctified of acts. How often does a person serve another with selfish motives? How often does a person give, ultimately for selfish purposes? Self is that ingrained tendency within a person to do that which pleases him and to do that which is most suited to his own desires. Self runs contradictory to the Lord’s will, and it is on this one point that self is so often exposed.
When someone gets his way often, it can be hard for that person to detect selfishness. It may seem that this would not be the case, but it is true. Simply because things are going someone’s way does not make him selfish. But when someone is preoccupied with having things go his way, he may also be unable to detect his sin so long as things continue to go down his desired path. The fulfillment of selfish desires often makes someone happy, and this may be misconstrued as biblical joy.
Roadblocks
It is when God puts roadblocks in the way of a man that he begins to see just how much it hurts not to get his way. It is easy to look at a child and say, “He is a selfish little boy.” The boy fusses when he doesn’t get to play with toy he wants and is forced to share. Maybe he doesn’t get to pick the meal he wanted most and breaks out in tears. But how often are grown people, Christians for that matter, quite similar?
Self will, in fact, bring about a rage in many professing Christians, it might cause them to pout in a manner a little bit more refined than a child, and self may even shatter relationships that should never have been broken.
True Christianity
The Bible makes it clear that there is another way to live. Scripture says very plainly that to follow Christ, one must deny self. To deny self is no easy task. It is hard and painful along the way. A teacher of the Bible will do a listener no good if he does not tell his hearers that Christianity is hard, painful, and sometimes not very fun.
Christianity is not about getting one’s way, getting out of hell, or finding a social club with similar likes and dislikes. It is about looking to the Savior, walking in His steps, dying to self, and picking up the cross. Surely, joy can be found as one walks in the steps of Christ. Jesus promises joy in the midst of tribulation. But one must never be misguided. Currently, the modern church does not appear to be much different than the world. Whether or not people are getting “saved” should not be the matter at hand. What are they getting “saved” to? This is crucial. Is it worldliness? Is it self-centeredness?
People must know that Christianity is about losing one’s life, not gaining it. Christianity is not about living it up in the here and now. It is about recognizing the way in which the Christian is a stranger and pilgrim. It is about going lower rather than seeking to exalt oneself. It is about looking to Jesus, the humble Servant, and praying, “Lord, please help me to be like Him.”
The Bible tells us plainly that we are to deny self and seek the good of another. Look at the following Scriptures and see for yourself.
What does the Bible say?
• “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth” (KJV, 1 Cor. 10:24). – This verse seems almost comical, as one is far removed from the writing of the KJV. However, what is not being said is that someone should seek out another man’s money, rather than use his own. The word translated “wealth” in the KJV could more appropriately be translated “good.” It can be hard for someone not to seek his own good, but the Bible makes it clear that the Christian must not live in such a way in which he is consumed with self. The mindset of the Christian should be that of doing good to others, not self-preservation.
• “Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved” (1 Cor. 10:33). – Paul goes on to tell us, from the previous verse, what we have written here in the present verse. Paul’s mindset was that of serving others. It should also be noted that in his serving, he was not doing it for selfish motives such as gaining a following or fame. Paul desired that the people he ministered to would be saved. He wanted them to know Jesus and love Jesus. Paul’s dying to self and living for others can be seen here as a means to an end. The end is that they would know Christ.
• “Charity… seeketh not her own…” (1 Cor. 13:4-5). – “Charity” is translated in modern translations as “love.” First Corinthians 13 is often referred to as the love chapter of the Bible. The placement of the chapter is interesting and should be noted. In 1 Corinthians 12 and 14, Paul is extensively highlighting various spiritual gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to those in the body of Christ, along with their purposes. In doing so, Paul makes it clear in 1 Corinthians 13 that the gifts must be exercised in love. Paul is basically saying that above the gifts themselves is love, and without love, the gifts will be rendered useless. The gifts only operate effectively when they are coupled with love. As Paul begins to tell us what love is in 1 Corinthians 13, he tells us that love “seeketh not her own.” Once again, we can see the vital necessity of dying to self and living for another’s good. With self in the way, love will be absent.
• “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Phil. 2:4). – Paul uses Philippians 2:4 to pave the way for an amazing display of Christ’s humility in verses 5-8. He tells the Christian not to look to his own interests. By doing this, he is saying not to focus on, think on, look on, meditate on, give attention to, concentrate on, and contemplate one’s own interests. But so often this type of mindset is the mindset of the Christian. Instead, the Christian should be consumed with focusing on, thinking on, looking on, meditating on, giving attention to, concentrating on, and contemplating how he can do good to his neighbor.
Application
It cannot be said enough that, if one wants to be where Christ is, he must die. Christ is not to be found in this world, but so often people seek Christ in the things of this world. Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father, and if one wants to experience fellowship with Him, that same person must die to self. God will raise him just as He raised Christ.
When Christ died, He was highly exalted; so the path to exaltation comes not by way of seeking the highest position, but by stooping low and, in due time, being exalted by God. Think on these verses:
• “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth” (KJV, 1 Cor. 10:33).
• “Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved” (1 Cor. 10:33).
• “Charity… seeketh not her own…” (1 Cor. 13:4-5).
• “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Phil. 2:4).
After thinking about them, pray over them, and ask God to change your heart. Surely you will be able to detect areas where self continues to get in your way of a greater relationship with Christ.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You that You have not given up on me. I see the ways that I am still self-focused, and I pray that You would rid me of this tendency. Please help me, Lord! I need Your help! In Jesus’ name, Amen.