Chapter 30—Selfishness and Self-centeredness
By Nature We Are Self-centered—Naturally we are self-
centered and opinionated. But when we learn the lessons that Christ
desires to teach us, we become partakers of His nature; henceforth
we live His life. The wonderful example of Christ, the matchless
tenderness with which He entered into the feelings of others, weeping
with those who wept, rejoicing with those who rejoiced, must have a
deep influence upon the character of all who follow Him in sincerity.
By kindly words and acts they will try to make the path easy for weary
feet.—
The Ministry of Healing, 157, 158
(1905).
Selfishness Contracts the Intellect—Selfish interest must ever be
made subordinate; for if given room to act, it becomes a controlling
power which contracts the intellect, hardens the heart, and weakens
the moral power. Then disappointment comes. The man has divorced
himself from God and sold himself to unworthy pursuits. He cannot
be happy, for he cannot respect himself. He has lowered himself in his
own estimation. He is an intellectual failure.—
Manuscript 21, 1899.
Selfishness the Cause of Human Guilt—Selfishness is the want
[lack] of Christlike humility, and its existence is the bane of human
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happiness, the cause of human guilt, and it leads those who cherish it
to make shipwreck of faith.—
Letter 27, 1888
.
Confuses the Senses—Today, as in Christ’s day, Satan rules the
minds of many. Oh, that his terrible, fearful work could be discerned
and resisted! Selfishness has perverted principles, selfishness has
confused the senses and clouded the judgment. It seems so strange
that notwithstanding all the light that is shining from God’s blessed
Word, there should be such strange ideas held, such a departure from
the spirit and practice of truth.
The desire to grasp large wages, with a determination to deprive
others of their God-given rights, has its origin in Satan’s mind, and
by their obedience to his will and way men place themselves under
his banner. Little dependence can be placed on those that have been
taken in this snare, unless they are thoroughly converted and renovated;
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