This week the big news was the large judgment against former president Trump over his corrupt dealings and business’ fraud in New York. Also, his role in the 2020 election interference in Georgia where I live. Additionally, his hush money payments to a former porn star went to court.
We can clearly see the spiritual truths about corruption in the former president’s life; selfishness only satisfies for a season, and eventually, corruption comes to light.
- Greed
- Lust
- Lies
Ironically, these cases are in the public light during Valentine’s week. We can see the spiritual warfare that is taking place in this world. God is fighting for our souls, Satan is fighting for our hearts’ desires because he knows our hearts are evil and we are selfish (Jeremiah 17:9, Mark 7:21.)
Selfish
Selfishness always looks out for the interests of the individual; it is a narrow-minded approach to life. The corrupt ways of this world only seek its own immediate happiness and pleasure.
The Christian approach to life is to model God’s love; biblical love is sacrificial and always puts the interests of others before ourselves. We cannot practice a selfish lifestyle look and out for our interests and call ourselves Christian or conservative, that is a lie from the pits of hell!
Due to the fall of mankind in the garden, we are at war with ourselves; our hearts are divided between God’s way and our selfish wants. As the people of God, we are called to be different and love others more than this world and ourselves.
Jesus taught His followers that the second greatest command was to love our neighbors as we do ourselves, so we should take care of others as much as we do ourselves (Mark 12:31.) God was selfless when He sacrificed His Son for a selfish world (John 3:16.)
‛Ặgab’
The patriarch of the Jewish faith, Abraham, was willing to sacrifice his only son out of his love for God (Genesis 22:1-13.) Judaism understands love involves sacrifice and it emphasizes the need to put others first, just like God does.
The Hebrew word used in the Old Testament for selfish is Ặgab’ it also means to lust or to have an inordinate affection. It is a selfish and temporary type of love. Selfishness is dangerous because it can lead to other sins, each of the seven deadly sins focuses on selfish wants.
- Pride
- Greed
- Lust
- Envy
- Gluttony
- Wrath
- Sloth
This world lives for temporary happiness. The Apostle Paul taught the early church about the differences between the works of the flesh and the works of the Spirit (Galatians 5:19-21.) Our corrupt flesh always wants more of this world and whatever it has to offer.
Satan offered Adam and Eve more in the garden; the second Adam, Jesus, warned His followers about gaining the whole world, yet forfeiting their souls (Matthew 16:26.)
The great Charles Spurgeon once said, “O, Christian the world is not your friend. If it is, then you are not God’s friend.” To be different, we must seek and do God’s will. Even God’s people must choose between their selfish wants and the will of God.
Wants
Selfish love looks out for itself and always wants more. Godly love looks out for others, even when it’s a sacrifice. Satan and this world will always promise us more.
Over 2000 years later we live in a world much like Jesus’ day. People are selfish. The world is full of corruption. People want to do whatever they want. And I’m not talking about the world; we see it amongst God’s people.
- Greed
- Deception
- Corruption
The Apostle Paul warned us God’s people would become more selfish in the last days (2 Timothy 3: 1-7.) Jesus warned His followers about what happens when they lose their saltiness (Matthew 5:13-14.)
As I write this post the GOP is on a two-week vacation after blocking both a border bill and foreign aid because they didn’t get what they want, they’re clearly Ặgab’!
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