“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)
We sometimes fall far short, but living the Christian life should be all about moving toward selfless humility in our relationships and dealings with others. Selfish pride is part of the innate sinful nature that we have inherited as human beings. We all know how selfish young children can be. Throughout their infancy, they claim material things and the affections of their parents as their own and don’t want to share them with their siblings or other toddlers. They express that selfishness with outbursts of weeping, wailing, and whimpering or other annoying expressions of distress. Parents are charged with the enormous responsibility of properly nurturing their youngsters, teaching them to care, share and consider the needs and well-being of others as well as their own.
Hopefully, as we mature spiritually and grow in love for one another, we gradually turn away from our natural self-centeredness and develop an others-oriented mindset. Living in a pleasure-driven, materialistic world, however, we often struggle as selfishness rears its ugly head and reasserts itself. It is not until we yield our hearts and allow Jesus Christ to take control of our lives that we receive the divine power to overcome self-centeredness and other character flaws that are products of our sinful nature. Having received God’s grace through faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit begins to purge our surrendered hearts of pride and other ungodly traits and to change us into the image of our Savior. Paul said “I die daily.” (1 Corinthians 15:31) Dying to self is part of the process of being born-again spiritually. Self-denial is what Christ living in and through us and Christian discipleship are all about!
Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)
