Self: The Alternative god!

Self: The Alternative God!

What a deep quote by Bro. Pink!

 

“Self is the god of the present day…”

 

In past generations, men bowed to carved idols.

 

Today, the idol is inward.

 

The throne has been moved from heaven to the human heart.

 

People no longer ask, “What has God said?” but “What do I feel? What do I want?”

 

That shift you notice is worship.

 

Oh yes.

 

Whatever sits at the center of your decisions, desire, and direction is god.

 

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3)

 

“…men and women bow before it…”

 

Oh yes. People may not kneel physically to self, but they yield completely to it.

 

Every choice they make must serve the self.

 

Truth is even bent to fit our selfish preferences.

 

Divine authority and instructions are rejected if they confront personal desire. This is people bowing to self.

 

To “bow” now invariably means to refuse correction, to guard one’s will as sacred and untouchable.

“He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool.” (Proverbs 28:26)

 

“…sacrifice to it…”

 

All gods demand sacrifice. Self, the alternative god, is no different.

 

People lay down time, purity, obedience, relationships, even truth itself, just to preserve comfort, image, and personal freedom.

 

Careers are chosen for self.

 

Bodies are used for self.

 

Even spirituality is reshaped to serve self.

“For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.” (Philippians 2:21)

 

“…live for it…”

 

For a person living for self, life becomes a project of self-expression and self-preservation.

 

Every pursuit circles back to me.

 

Not God’s will, not eternal purpose, but personal satisfaction.

 

A life centered on self can look successful, even admirable, but it is inward, closed, and ultimately empty.

“For none of us liveth to himself…” (Romans 14:7)

 

“…and will perish with it.”

 

This is the most serious part. Self cannot save.

 

It has no power to redeem, no authority over death, no answer for eternity.

 

If a sister lives for herself, she ties her destiny to something that is passing.

 

When self collapses, everything built upon it collapses with it.

“The world passeth away, and the lust thereof…” (1 John 2:17)

 

The tragedy is not just that people worship self.

 

It is that they trust it to carry them beyond the grave.

 

But self cannot stand there. Only Christ can.

“Neither is there salvation in any other…” (Acts 4:12)

 

The Danger of Self in the Last Days

 

Oh self.

 

The Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:1–5 that in the last days, men shall be lovers of their own selves first, and then a host of other things follows.

 

Self is what keeps us from forging that intimate relationship with Jesus and walking daily in the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

It keeps us from ultimately knowing and loving the Father.

 

Self is dangerous, and no one can follow Jesus while clinging to it.

 

Jesus commanded that it be denied first before following Him and carrying the cross.

“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

 

Therefore, when you feel like you are not growing spiritually, when you are not passionate about spending time with the Father, and when you are more disobedient to His instructions, check it very well.

 

Mr. Self has found a niche again.

 

Or perhaps he was never denied in the first place.

 

Saul ‘Rose’ in Self!

King Saul made a fatal mistake in seeking to make himself look good and generous before his subjects, at the detriment of God’s expectations for his life.

 

Samuel told him that at one time, he was lowly in his own eyes, and that was when he caught God’s attention.

“When thou wast little in thine own sight…” (1 Samuel 15:17)

The more we gravitate toward self-promotion and expectation as women, and give up many things we could be in God just to make a name for ourselves, we will surely live the life… but also perish by it.

 

Self can never have any part in God.

 

He opposes self but gives grace to the lowly, those who are insignificant in their own eyes.

“God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:6)

 

Even the most legitimate pleasures and responsibilities that keep us from loving Jesus more reveal that love for self and its satisfaction has greatly increased in us.

 

The Bible says many things may be lawful, but not all are helpful.

“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient…” (1 Corinthians 6:12)

 

Not because they are sinful, but because they keep us from pressing deeper into intimacy with Jesus.

 

Today is the day to say no to self.

 

Let Us Pray

Father, I surrender to You afresh this morning. Help me find renewed strength in You to deny self and put all my strength, soul, and heart into loving You. Give me grace to say no to all the lures of self at every moment.

Lord Jesus, You are the greatest example of a Man who died to self completely, and I see how God lifted You above every other. Father, I long to walk in this path as Jesus. Help me, dear Lord, even today and in the days to come, to wake up each morning denying self. Help me remember that true significance is found in You and You alone.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.