Self-Preservation
In American culture in general, denial of self seems to be one of the farthest concepts from both our present daily lives and future goals alike. Emphasis on self is at an all-time high, and one can’t help but notice the way that the church has taken on the worldly concept of self-preservation as a staple in our walks. But a mind that’s set on self-preservation is one of the biggest enemies to your obedience and submission to God. “Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me,’” but it is clear that we’ve twisted endless scriptures to fit our desire to do everything but deny self. We have made self an acceptable idol, and displeasing our self god in any way has become almost blasphemous. Instead of seeing things by the Spirit of God, we analyze our daily lives, decisions, goals, etc. based on what will put us in the best position for pleasure rather than in the best position to hear and obey God. If Jesus Christ was set on self-preservation the way that we are, He would have said no to the cross. The very gift of salvation would not be available to us had Christ operated in the way that we do, because He would have rejected the idea that God would will for any of His people to suffer or die for His glory. Many of us would not even be open to hearing such a thing because we live as if the only thing to be done for God’s glory is to preach in comfortable places and receive material blessings.
The Bible says repeatedly though to rejoice in trials because they grow & perfect us. Yet self-preservation keeps us immature because we look to avoid suffering instead. We often perceive and analyze trials only in terms of preserving ourselves and our selfish motives. And we call that spiritual discernment when in reality it is likely just the natural wisdom of the world saying “look out for you.“ Some people will literally spend their whole lives and ministry looking for ways to relieve & avoid trials, and in doing that, they miss their entire purpose in Christ, including the collective call to minister to others. The Bible says do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Even though the Word says to consider others as being more important than you, we continue to use, abuse, and manipulate other people behind our own motives. We neglect both the physical and spiritual needs of others and instead operate solely for our own benefit. In order to maintain the façade of Christianity, many will add in the hope that what pleases them will also help someone else, but as a secondary affect, not the primary purpose. Scripture tells us to walk as Christ walked, but in the pursuit of self-preservation, many of us fail to even learn how He walked but instead we carve out another path altogether, a rebellious path that leads to the ungodliness listed in 2 Tim 3:1-5 and temporal satisfaction outside of Christ. I’m urging us all to get back on track or to avoid falling into this mentality altogether. Continue to pray and seek God for wisdom in disciplining yourself, in denying your wants, plans, goals, emotions, and your former thoughts and mindset in order to receive with gladness the Word of God and the mind of Christ. Be blessed & encouraged.
