“Loving Ourselves too Much?”


BIBLE READING: 2 John, 3 John
DISCUSSION                                                    
                If you go to a local bookstore, you should have no trouble finding a book that will help you learn to love yourself.  Millions of people seem to struggle with having a positive self-image of themselves.  Whether they have grown up in a broken home, struggled with maintaining a healthy relationship or swayed by the media’s idea about what is attractive; people seem to have trouble falling in love with themselves.  It is important for us to know that God created us all in His image and that every single person has been given a significant amount of value, but there is a danger in loving ourselves too much.  In the book of 3 John, we read of a man who had been causing enough trouble for the church that the Apostle felt the need to mention it in a letter to Gaius.  “Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority” (3 John 9).  How many of us know a modern-day Diotrephes?  That person who is so proud of themselves that the arrogance just oozes out of them with each breath.  They never like to be told what to do, they never like to be told they’re wrong, and if something is to be done it must be done their way.   Yes, we should be the kind of people that are content with who we are.  Yes, there also must be a confidence that we carry within ourselves, but never are we taught to be like Diotrephes.  You have been given a significant amount of value, talents and gifts, but may we never use those gifts so much for self that we become the kind of person that was described as “likes to put himself first”.  In fact, in Scripture we are taught just the opposite “The last shall be first, and the first shall be last” (Matthew 20.16).
Prayer Requests:___________________________________________________________________________________


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Colors of Christmas: Green

  Discussion:                                    Evergreen plants, like holly and mistletoe have been used for thousands of years to decorate and brighten up buildings during the long dark winter. They also reminded people that spring would come and winter wouldn't last forever! The Romans would exchange evergreen branches during January as a sign of good luck. The ancient Egyptians used to bring palm branches into their houses during the mid-winter festivals. In many parts of Europe during the Middle Ages, “paradise plays” were performed, often on Christmas Eve. They told Bible stories to people who couldn't read. “The Paradise Tree” in the Garden of Eden in the play was normally a pine tree with red apples tied to it. Today, think about the newness of life we have because we are in Christ. The old man could represent the dark winter and the barren trees. Then think of the bright Christmas trees that are so easily seen! … Help brighten someone’s life this week! Inform
Read more

“Blow-out in Boston”

BIBLE READING: Luke 14 DISCUSSION                                                                                       Boston Globe's account in June 1990 of a most unusual wedding banquet… Accompanied by her fiancé, a woman went to the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Boston and ordered the meal. The two of them poured over the menu, made selections of china and silver, and pointed to pictures of the flower arrangements they liked. They both had expensive taste, and the bill came to $13,000. After leaving a check for half that amount as down payment, the couple went home to flip through books of wedding announcements. The day the announcements were supposed to hit the mailbox, the groom got cold feet. "I'm just not sure," he said. "It's a big commitment. Let's think about this a little longer." When his angry fiancé returned to the Hyatt to cancel the banquet, the manager could not have been more understanding. However, concerning the refund, she h
Read more

“Is there Joy in your Heart?”

  DISCUSSION:                              There are so many things going on in this world today that it is easy to let worry have more room in our heart than happiness. In the medical world, we are constantly being reminded of the preventive medicine we need. Unlike 60 years ago when health only entered our minds when we got sick, today we are told continually of so much that can happen to our health if we don’t have this test run, take this pill, or get this shot to prevent some type of virus infecting us. If you allow it, you can give this too much attention. Of course, it is important to have good health. As we get older it really seems to get a lot more of our attention. Don’t let worry about your health take your eyes off the cross. The words of God given wisdom from Solomon in Proverbs 4, we see that a physically healthy heart is important, but to keep focused on good things to keep our spiritual heart clean and healthy. There is no medical test in place to make sure we are
Read more