I remember the time my wife decided to show a little mercy to a couple of the pets that would hang out in the backyard. She took a small cardboard box and made a little house for our small dog. To our surprise not only did the little dog stay in the box but also the cat.
Several days later, I went to the back door and threw some small meat scraps toward the box. Some of the scrapes landed in the box. Just as I started to go back in the house, the biggest fight broke out between the dog and cat. They rocked that little box all over the patio.
The dog wanted (for himself) the meat in the box, but the cat that had been sleeping quietly did not want to give up his sleeping area.
Seeing that fight reminded me of one of the biggest problems that we face in life. It is part of natural man, and it is called selfishness.
Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
James 4:1-2 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.
It causes most problems in marriages, personal relationships and ultimately with God.
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
2 Corinthians 12:20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.
These verses tell us to not have it in our lives or remove it. It takes the power of God in our lives to remove and overcome selfishness.
Galatians 5:16, 22-26 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.... But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
The only true successful way is by accepting Christ and then letting Him take control.
John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, Galatians 5:24, 25 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
See you in Church next Sunday.