Daily Devotion With Pastor Dan – October 14th, 2020
(Philippians 2:3-4)…..3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Self-centeredness is a very, very old problem. The first sin in the world was committed when Satan talked Eve into thinking that her own will was self-sufficient (Genesis 3:1-6). Yet, self-centeredness is a peculiarly modern way of thinking too. Humanism, the prevailing philosophy of the modern era, unabashedly elevates the human being to the pedestal once occupied by God and teaches the preeminence and autonomy of the human “self.” The 1980’s were called the “Me Decade,” when many of the idealistic hippies of the 60’s and 70’s turned into materialistic yuppies. In the late 70’s, Robert J. Ringer’s book, Looking Out for Number One, was the best-selling book in America for 46 weeks.
Few words in our vocabulary are used any more than self and its combinations, like self-fulfillment, self-expression, etc. And here we are, we now have a (women’s) magazine called Self. We have truly created a withdrawn, self-absorbed society: a culture in which the individual is preoccupied with the “self” that he is. When a person is preoccupied with himself that can show up in various ways: (1). Self-absorption (narcissism), (2). Self-glorification (vanity, arrogance, boastfulness), (3). Self-service (selfishness, greed), (4). Self-will (stubbornness), and (5). Self-obedience (lawlessness). All these character traits can be summed up in “pride.” I believe pride is the root of a self-centered person. To see just how destructive self-centeredness (pride) can be, let’s look at what happens: to our relationship to God, when this takes root in us.
When we are self-centered (prideful), our religion toward God will turn into idolatry. We can see this when we begin to give ourselves the praise and acculades that should be reserved for God alone. Idolatry consists of anything that “dethrones” God and puts someone/something else in His place (Colossians 3:5). How critical is this? (Ephesians 5:3-5). The worship of self is the ultimate idolatry, and it is the direction that all other idolatries are headed.
(Daniel 4:29-37)…..29 At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” 31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! 32 And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.” 33 That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. 34 And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever:
For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom is from generation to generation.
35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;
He does according to His will in the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of the earth.
No one can restrain His hand
Or say to Him, “What have You done?”
36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.
What was King Nebuchadnezzar’s problem? Pride! He thought he was a self-made man. He thought the reason he was exalted, rich, and powerful was because he was better than others. He thought he deserved what he had because he had done it himself. He failed to credit God with giving him the ability and opportunity he enjoyed. He failed to understand that all he had and all he could do were the result of what God provided. But he learned. And we will also learn. We can choose the hard way or the easy way, but this is a lesson we will also learn. For that is a main purpose of life on earth: learning. And this is one of the most important things we need to learn.
We may think you don’t have a problem with pride, but if we think we can make it without God, then you do. So if we ignore God or neglect God, we have a problem with pride. The truth is we could not even exist without God. We need to understand that the God of Heaven rules, ansd He has set certain boundaries, and He is in control of the overall plan.
Let’s never forget the last word of Nebuchadnezzar which summarizes what he learned: Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.