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Self Seeking Will Slip Away

Friday August 14, 2020

The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous makes this statement: “Putting out of our minds the wrongs others had done, we resolutely looked for our own mistakes. Where had we been selfish, dishonest, self-seeking, and frightened?”  Also, included in the promises of AA is the Eighth Promise which begins with, “Self-seeking will slip away.”   What is self-seeking?

We all know that selfish behaviour is very much involved in our dysfunctional behaviour and addictive lifestyle.  We think about our own needs and don’t care much about the needs of others.  Self-seeking may cause us to do some things that seem considerate and helpful to others, but underneath the action is a desire to get something out of it for ourselves. It could be as simple as the desire for recognition and praise to build our self-esteem.  It could also be more sinister with someone using what seems like good behaviour to manipulate a situation for their own selfish desires and goals. 

For those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.  (Romans 2:8 ESV)



 God is love and God calls us to live in truth and love.  One of the descriptions of what love is NOT is, self-seeking.

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  (1 Corinthians 13:5 NIV)

It’s time to give up the tunnel vision of first looking to our own interests, and only when it is convenient for us, looking to the interests of others.  Most important, it is time to give our energy and attention to God’s interests, because we will then experience the blessing of right relationship with Him.




Prayer:  Heavenly Father, You call me to live beyond the deceit of self-seeking.  You want me to experience great joy and contentment and so from today, help me to follow the path of honouring You by considering the needs of others before my own.  Amen

©2020 Partners in Hope 
More information on this and other related topics @ http://www.partnersinhope.ca/life-with-god-in-recovery-resources/

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