To stop using our substance of choice is a great beginning in recovery but God knows that unless we deal with the underlying root of our habits and addictive practices we remain doomed for failure. That's why selfishness is listed with drunkenness and other traits as the outcome of following the desires of our sinful nature.
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. (Galatians 5:19-20 NLT)
Selfishness runs deep in all of us. It is the underlying cause of most of our problems and expresses itself in our way of relating to both God and others. What does it look like? Regardless of what God says or how our selfish behaviour impacts others, we continue to chase after whatever pleases us. The Bible suggests we do an inventory of ourselves and deal with the primary cause of our selfish shortcomings. An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. (Proverbs 18:1 NIV, James 3:16 NLT)
How do we overcome selfishness? We ask God to forgive us for our self-centered ways and submit our will and our life over to His care. When we wholeheartedly surrender our lives to God, He promises us freedom from the bondage of preoccupation with self and our own affairs. Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 7:24-25a)
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am so thankful that You gave Your life to set me free from the deep-rooted self-absorption in my heart. I choose to leave the misery of selfishness behind and ask You to strengthen me to move forward in my life with You in recovery. Amen
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