Selfishness And Sin: Biblical Perspective On Altruism

Selfishness is a sin in the Bible. It is considered one of the works of the flesh according to Galatians 5:20. The Bible commands us to do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others (Philippians 2:3-4, NASB). This passage highlights that selfishness is akin to empty conceit, often expressed by building oneself up while tearing others down. The Bible provides guidance on how to combat selfishness and foster a more compassionate and selfless mindset, encouraging believers to follow in Jesus' footsteps and prioritize the interests of others above their own.

Selfishness is a sin

> Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Here, Paul compares selfishness to "empty conceit", which can be understood as vanity or arrogance. This is an important distinction, as it highlights that selfishness is not simply about what one does, but also about one's attitude and mindset.

Selfishness is often expressed by building oneself up while tearing others down. It is a "work of the flesh" according to Galatians 5:20, and it leads to disorder and every evil practice (James 3:16). Selfishness caused the children of Israel to "willfully put God to the test" (Psalm 78:18) and led the rich young ruler to turn his back on Jesus (Matthew 19:21-22).

The Bible commands us to love others as Christ loved us (John 15:12-13). This means putting others' interests and needs before our own, just as Christ did when he died for our sins (John 3:16-17). Jesus embodied selflessness and outward-focused love, humbling himself even to the point of death on a cross (Philippians 2:8).

As Christians, we are called to follow in Jesus' footsteps and live our lives as he lived his, by denying ourselves and taking up our cross daily (Luke 9:23). This means putting aside our own desires and inclinations to sin, and instead, choosing to live for God's will in our lives.

Overcoming selfishness requires admitting that it is a struggle and turning to God for help. We can pray for God to help us turn away from selfishness and to give us opportunities to serve others. Reading the Bible is also essential, as it contains everything we need to know, including morals. By abiding in God's Word and striving to be like Him, we can overcome selfishness and live a life that brings glory to God and helps others.

Selfishness ruins friendships

Selfishness is a sin, and it can ruin friendships and other relationships. The Bible commands us to “do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4, NASB).

When we are selfish, we are acting out of a self-centred attitude and mindset that assumes our actions will lead to more happiness than if we were to obey God. Selfishness is self-love, a tendency to be “curved inward” toward the self, which means that it is not love at all but rather the opposite of love. Love looks outwardly to place others before oneself, operating from the mindset that others are more important (Philippians 2:3).

Selfishness can manifest in many ways, such as being greedy, being jealous instead of rejoicing for others, or doing things we know to be wrong. When we choose to be selfish, we continue to be stuck in a cycle of frustration, feeling lost, unable to make spiritual progress, and unhappiness.

In friendships, selfishness can lead to a breakdown in trust and intimacy. Friends are supposed to support and care for each other, but when one friend is constantly putting their own needs and desires first, it can create a sense of competition and resentment. Selfish friends may also be less reliable, as they are more likely to prioritise their own needs over the needs of the friendship. This can lead to a lack of understanding and empathy, which are crucial for a strong and healthy friendship.

Furthermore, selfishness can lead to a lack of vulnerability and authenticity in friendships. Friends should be able to share their true feelings and experiences with each other without fear of judgment or exploitation. However, when one friend is selfish, the other friend may feel hesitant to open up, as they may worry that their vulnerabilities will be used against them or that their friend will not be truly present for them.

Ultimately, selfishness can create a sense of distance and disconnection in friendships, as it prioritises the individual's needs over the needs of the friendship. It can lead to a breakdown in trust, intimacy, reliability, and vulnerability, all of which are essential for a strong and healthy friendship. By putting others first and following Christ's example of selflessness, we can cultivate more meaningful and fulfilling relationships.

Selfishness hinders prayer

Selfishness is a sin, and it impairs our walk with Christ. When we are selfish, we are acting out of a mindset that assumes our actions will bring us more happiness than obeying God. This is a natural tendency, but we are called to follow in Jesus's footsteps and live our lives as he lived his, by overcoming sin.

The Bible commands us to:

> Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4, NASB)

Selfishness is akin to narcissism, and it often involves building oneself up while tearing others down. It is one of the "works of the flesh" according to Galatians 5:20, and it leads to "disorder and every evil practice" (James 3:16).

To overcome selfishness, we must first admit that it is a struggle for us and turn to God for help. We should pray and ask God to help us turn away from selfishness and place a conviction in our hearts to put others above ourselves. Reading the Bible is also crucial, as it contains everything we need to know, including morals.

Psalm 119:36 is a powerful prayer to ask God for help in overcoming selfishness:

> Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.

By loving others as Christ commanded, we can overcome selfishness. True love is placing the needs and wants of others above our own, as Jesus did when he died on the cross for our sins (John 3:16-17).

When we give up our lives for God and deny our sinful inclinations, we find true happiness and fulfillment. Jesus gives us the keys to heaven and divine nature when he says:

> If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. (Luke 9:23)

By abiding in love and fleeing from selfishness, we find freedom and blessing.

Selfishness is a natural tendency

The Bible commands us to “do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4, NASB). In this passage, Paul compares selfishness to “empty conceit”—a term that could be translated as “vanity” or “arrogance.” It refers to an overly high opinion of oneself. Selfishness, therefore, is akin to narcissism.

Selfishness or empty conceit is often expressed by building up oneself while tearing down someone else. It is one of the “works of the flesh” according to Galatians 5:20. It leads to “disorder and every evil practice” (James 3:16). Selfishness caused the children of Israel to “willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved” (Psalm 78:18).

Selfishness ruins friendships (Proverbs 18:1), hinders prayer (James 4:3), and is the product of earthly wisdom (James 3:13-14). The opposite of selfishness is also found in Philippians 2: being united with Christ, having tenderness and compassion, and “being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose” (Philippians 2:2).

Since selfishness is a sin, it impairs our walk with Christ. Whenever we are actively living in sin, our relationship with Christ will be affected. Selfishness will also cause us to lose friendships and relationships. It will be hard to be friends or be in a relationship with someone if they are actively trying to seek out their own wants and desires above the friendship or relationship.

Selfishness causes us to think only of ourselves and our own wants. Since we are all born with a sinful nature, doing everything we want can turn bad really fast. Thinking only of ourselves is not in alignment with the Word of God. We need to always place others’ interests over our own. Jesus tells us to love others as He loves us (John 15:12-13). When we love others, we are going to place their own wants and desires over our own. This is ultimately what love is all about — placing someone else’s needs or wants above our own.

Jesus shows us the ultimate image of someone who is unselfish and who truly loves everyone by dying on the cross for our sins (John 3:16-17). The Lord died for us in order for us to be forgiven of our sins and to have eternal life with Him. He was selfless in His love and freely chose to die for our sins so that we could be with Him forever.

The young man mentioned in Matthew 19:21-22 allowed selfishness to turn him away from following Jesus. Selfishness only causes us to drift away from God, and similar to the young man in Matthew 19:21-22, it can cause us to completely fall away from following God.

Selfishness leads to unhappiness

The Bible is clear that selfishness is a sin. It goes against its teachings and is considered one of the "works of the flesh" according to Galatians 5:20. Selfishness is an attitude of putting one's interests above others and is often expressed by building oneself up while tearing others down.

Philippians 2:3-4 commands believers to:

> Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Selfishness is akin to narcissism and is considered the opposite of love, which is outward-looking and seeks to place others before oneself.

The effects of selfishness are far-reaching and detrimental, leading to unhappiness and a lost connection with God. When individuals choose to be selfish, they become trapped in a cycle of frustration, unable to make spiritual progress, and ultimately, unhappiness. This is because selfishness goes against our true nature and our relationship with God.

Jesus embodied selflessness by humbling Himself, even to the point of death on a cross, so that those who believe in Him could be free from sin. By following Jesus' example, believers can break free from the trap of selfishness and experience true happiness and fulfillment.

To overcome selfishness, individuals must first admit that they are struggling with it and turn to God for help. This involves denying oneself, taking up one's cross daily, and following Jesus (Luke 9:23). It means choosing to live for God's will instead of our own and understanding that true happiness comes from serving others and abiding in God's will.

By striving to be like Christ, believers can demonstrate tenderness and compassion, placing others' interests above their own, and shining Christ's light into the world.

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