Examining our selves is an important part to seeing where our hearts truly stand. Fasting, private bible study and private prayer life are extremely important to our relationship and growth with the Lord. BUT there is a big difference between "doing me" and seeking to mature in faith because they are not always the same.
When "me, myself, and I" and "doing me" takes away from how to love and care for others; that is sin. A continuation of this mentality leads us to then idolize ourselves. Our self becomes the most important thing. More important than loving others. More important than loving our enemies. Eventually, more important than loving God.
You CAN NOT be Christian and continue in this mentality. It is not possible because God says its not.
John 14:15
Matthew 5:43-45
Luke 9:23
Do you love your enemies to the point you go out of your way for their greater good despite your own? Jesus did.
If you are guilty of self idolatry and focusing on your self instead of others than conviction and recognition of this is a very important and good first step to spiritual growth and maturity in this area. Take a note of every time you do something for your self over something for someone else. Note each time you choose not to go out of your way to help someone who has wronged you. Examine your self to see how much you love yourself over others. Then you can see more clearly who you worship.
When "me, myself, and I" and "doing me" takes away from how to love and care for others; that is sin. A continuation of this mentality leads us to then idolize ourselves. Our self becomes the most important thing. More important than loving others. More important than loving our enemies. Eventually, more important than loving God.
You CAN NOT be Christian and continue in this mentality. It is not possible because God says its not.
John 14:15
"If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."Mark 12:29-31
"Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; 30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”Notice, in these 2 commandments, there is no self seeking "doing me" mentality. The love is always directed at God and others and not on yourself.
Matthew 5:43-45
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."Even those who do wrong to you. Your are still commanded to LOVE them. So "doing you" because someone you were trying to help back stabbed you or offended you does not change the fact you still are called to LOVE them. Love is a verb. It is an act.
Luke 9:23
" And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.""doing me" that is uncaring and unloving on others contradicts what Jesus says here! You CAN NOT be so focused on your self, your 'spiritual life', your supposed relationship with the Lord, at the expense of others, "me, myself, and I" and also keep Jesus' commands to deny yourself and love everyone over yourself. It is a hypocritical mindset and false Christianity.
Do you love your enemies to the point you go out of your way for their greater good despite your own? Jesus did.
If you are guilty of self idolatry and focusing on your self instead of others than conviction and recognition of this is a very important and good first step to spiritual growth and maturity in this area. Take a note of every time you do something for your self over something for someone else. Note each time you choose not to go out of your way to help someone who has wronged you. Examine your self to see how much you love yourself over others. Then you can see more clearly who you worship.
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