Devotional Snapshot 67 - Self Living

"The treason of our souls is savoring self over God." John Piper

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." James 3:13-17


How do we savor ourselves? Simple..by living for self, to please self, be proud of self, feed self, make self happy through whatever means, pray about self and even when I pray for others it is to some degree about making self happy, do good to others to pump self up. Self must be recognized as a good person and when not self is hurt. Self must have so many fun things to do that self won't have time to quietly reflect on what self weaknesses must be changed. Self avoids all pain. Self likes easy friends. Self protects her time, her rights, and her reputation. Self is self-conscious. Self is quick to criticize others and slow in asking forgiveness. Self compares herself with others. Self wears us down, ensnares us, and drains us of energy so we can not run the race set before us with endurance.

"The treason of our souls is savoring self over God." John Piper

How do we free ourselves from self? Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus... Col. 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Looking unto Jesus. Moment by moment we lift our eyes upward and the more we gaze at His beautiful face the more we love Him. The more we love Him the less Self consumes our inner space. We leave little room for self and her selfish motives while we are taken with another. Be smitten with Christ.

Beth Moore quote: "We become like the object of our focus. If our focus is on our needs, we become more needy. If our focus is on the harm others have done to us, we become harmful and angry people. If our focus is on material things, we become grasping and greedy. And, praise God, if our focus is on Christ, we become more and more like Him."

Let's pray for one another today that we enjoy our Savior. Savor the Savior. Less of us, more of Him.