The Destructive Nature of Self-Centeredness

Scripture:

Philippians 2:1  If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, 2 make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 

Observation:

Christ becomes the encouragement for God’s people, his life an example of sacrifice for the sake of others. If God’s people are “in” Christ, then self-centeredness is being destroyed on an on-going basis. Love fills our being and there is no room left self, but the Holy Spirit brings about transformation. 

Paul’s joy is made complete when he witnesses the destruction of self-centeredness and now sees the unity of the body of Christ. The mind of the believer is to be joined to the mind of Christ and to the mind of neighbor. Together the love poured out in participation with Christ binds the community of believers together in holy love. Selfish ambition and conceit (self-centeredness) should not be evident in the lives of the believers. Christ’s spirit of humility should so overwhelm a believer that they give themselves in constant service to others. Our own interests become sacrificed in service to others. 

Application

This entire passage is actually a positive reflection on the life centered in Christ. Why would I pick such a negative title? Because, if we take this passage and look at the opposite of what it is telling us, we discover the incredibly destructive nature of self-centeredness.

1. When we focus on ourselves we will not receive any encouragement from being “in” Christ. We won’t have time to spend with Christ because we allow the activities that are of greater priority to use up our time. More than likely, we will become angry and blame God when things aren’t going our way. 
2. Compassion and sympathy become distant when we are self-centered. It becomes difficult to see the needs in others, or to empathize with what may have brought them to this place in life. Instead, we are critical and blame those who are in a difficult state, sure that they are responsible for their own problems. 
3. For those who have tried to mentor us, there is no joy. Parents, pastors, Sunday School teachers, and friends, who try to lead us in the direction of Christ are often hurt by the self-centeredness of the individual who refuses to live wholeheartedly for Christ. The pain comes from watching the individual make destructive choices that will have long-lasting impact. 
4. Selfish ambition and conceit define choices and activity. Success becomes the key, at any cost. Even if other people are hurt or damaged along the way, it becomes acceptable because ambition drives this individual. Putting other people down, letting them know that they are not worthy of the same status becomes a characteristic. This is usually done in an effort to make the individual feel better about themselves, but the cost is others’ egos. 
5. The interests of the self are always more important than those of others. There is no concern about the effects of one’s liberties on the lives of others. What feels good and right becomes the priority. 

This is a picture of what should not happen in the church, nor in the life of a believer. Our self-centeredness needs to be given over to God, so that the Spirit can fill to overflowing. This creates the potential for unity within the body of Christ, and joy. 

The picture of a church focused entirely on Christ and in service to others is beautiful. These people, willing to give up their own desires for the needs of others, will reflect Christ in all things. While self-centeredness may be destructive, Christ-centeredness will result in the flourishing of all involved. 

Prayer:

Lord, may your Spirit daily fill to overflowing until there remains nothing but you! Amen.