The Symptoms of Self-Centeredness

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. [Galatians 5.19-21]

It is interesting that sexual immorality, impurity, etc are not listed as sins, but as the results of sin. That sin is following one's own sinful nature - or, in other words, seeking self.

Is it any wonder that all of the results listed in the list above are so prevalent in the world today? With all the self-centeredness promoted virtually everywhere, even in our churches, the results we see everywhere should be no surprise. When "self" is made to be first and foremost in our lives, the results can only be found in the list above.

The thing is, the symptoms of self-seeking cannot be successfully treated unless the underlying cause is treated. No amount of counseling, incarceration, or rehabilitation will effectively treat (and certainly not cure) sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, elfish ambition, dissention, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and the likes. Until the root issue of self-centeredness is dealt with (like Paul said in today's OYCB reading in Galatians) by nailing it to the cross (in other words, dying to self), then the symptoms of self-seeking will go unchecked.

This is precisely why Jesus, for all His Kingdom teaching can best be summed up in Matthew 6.33: "Seek first the Kingdom of God..."

How do we know if we are getting it right in regard to self?

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! [Galatians 5.22-23]

It is simple, if we want the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, we must die to self. We have very clear indicators listed here of how well we are doing at that.

When everything we encounter in modern culture tells us to look out for ourselves, get what we need and want, take care of ourselves, be comfortable, not have to wait, not have to wonder, not have to put up with others, not have to suffer.... is it any wonder that the symptoms listed in Galatians 5.19-21 have saturated society?

Father, help us to get it right when it comes to "self." Help us to effectively nail "self" to the cross of Christ each and every day by seeking first Your Kingdom above even our own needs.