Tag Archive | selfish

Earthly Wisdom

Aug4

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural (unspiritual), demonic.
James 3:14-15 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.3.14-15.NASB1995

But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,
1 Timothy 4:1 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/1ti.4.1.NASB1995

In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts. These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.
Jude 1:18b-19 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jud.1.18-19.NASB1995

God will render to each person according to his deeds: to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.
Romans 2:6,8 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/rom.2.6-8.NASB1995

Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away;
the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;
1 Corinthians 2:6, 8 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/1co.2.6-8.NASB1995

🌹For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.
James 3:16 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.3.16.NASB1995

Reminder: the attributes of godly wisdom from above are . . .
first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
James 3:17 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.3.17.NASB1995

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org

Humbleness

Jun9

And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 18:9‭-‬14 NASB

Humbleness does not come easy. At least not for me. Being a “goodie two shoes” most of my life has bolstered my view of myself making me self-righteous. Yes, self-righteous. Anytime we think of ourselves above or better than another, we are self-righteous. Our real plumb line, the standard by which God’s children should live, and from which divine judgement is gauged, is Jesus. His righteousness is pure, perfect, and available to the humble. The only righteousness I have is Jesus in me. We can be perfect in our own eyes, as the Pharisee was, or we can be humble, as the tax collector was and live a justified life exalting the only righteousness in us, Jesus, in humbleness. Humbleness is hard work. Practice putting God first in ALL.

🌹And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.
Luke 16:15 NASB

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Humbleness = self less + Christ more
Self trusted righteousness = self more + righteous less

Bitterness

Feb28

Bitterness. Have you been there? Things don’t go your way, happen the way you think they should. The world comes crashing down around the perfect world you were walking in. Someone or someones let you down. What is the result? Bitterness!

Bitterness left untreated results in hate, gossip, and separation — from both God and fellow man — trouble causing defilement, lack of grace toward others, wickedness, bondage of iniquity, faithlessness, unforgiveness, anger.

Well, the Word of God says, “See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;“
Hebrews 12:15 NASB

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:31‭-‬32 NASB

Bitterness has no place in our lives especially since it is rooted in distrust and selfishness.

It is like saying, “I don’t trust God because of what is happening”. We are blinded by selfishness because it isn’t going the way we think it should.

Lo, for my own welfare I had great bitterness;
Isaiah 38:17‭a

For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.”
Acts 8:23

How do I escape this gall of bitterness that has me and escape the bondage of sin?

Be in the Word:

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 NASB

THEN:

You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Therefore REPENT of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.
Acts 8:21‭-‬23 NASB

And God will redeem.

It is You who has kept my soul from the pit of nothingness, For You have cast all my sins behind Your back.
Isaiah 38:17b

Being bitter is not trusting in the holy God of the universe. He is in full control so we do not need to be bitter.

For:

This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalms 118:24 NASB

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28 NASB

Take it from someone who has spent over a year in bondage to bitterness. It is debilitating. It is pride. I can still thank God because He taught me, humbled me, made me more dependent on Him and made me realize I can’t walk this walk alone. I am so thankful for sisters in Christ who stood by me through it all. I am not completely through it but I am more aware of the warning signs that leads me to prayer and submission and the realization that God is in control and I can fully trust Him.

To God be the glory!!! 🙌

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Riches For God’s Glory

Jan13

Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?
Luke 16:11 NASB

How faithful are we with the material things of this world that God has put in our care? Are we a good steward of the unrighteous wealth – wealth that we live for and entrust our survival to but does nothing to lead to the eternal kingdom – using it for kingdom glory? If others see the wealth of this world driving us will they trust us when we speak of the true wealth of eternity?

🌹Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
1 Timothy 6:17‭-‬19 NASB

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Afflicted And Needy

Apr21

Incline Your ear, O Lord, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy. Preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O You my God, save Your servant who trusts in You. Be gracious to me, O Lord, For to You I cry all day long. Make glad the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You. — Psalm 86:1-5

Have you ever been troubled greatly, afflicted? Afflicted so much that you are needy, in need of practical or emotional support? I’m sure you have. Who do you turn to?

I’ve been there. Wanting so much to be godly as I cry out. Lord, is there a hidden motive in my request for help in my distress? Am I being selfish, stubborn, greedy, angry, or desiring pity? My first request is to ask for forgiveness if there is any deceptive way in me. Lord, You are good and ready to forgive.

As I humbly pour out my heart to You, my Lord, I seek Your grace and salvation as I trust in You. Hear my supplication, O God. In my need, O God, I lift up my soul asking You in Your lovingkindness, to those who call upon You, make my soul glad.

All I can say is that my God is faithful. He loves me and hears my prayers. After such an ordeal He affirms His love and faithfulness by sending me to this scripture. He reminds me that He loves me and listens to my prayers, He is gracious and forgives my sin, and then He reminds me of His faithfulness when He restores my soul.

Distressed? Troubled? Take it to Jesus.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

Afflict: to distress with mental or byodily pain; trouble greatly or grievously
Needy: in need of practical or emotional support;

“afflict.” Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 20 Apr. 2014. .

(“needy.” Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. HarperCollins Publishers. 20 Apr. 2014. <Dictionary.com)