Selfishness and Self-centeredness
217
for they have been leavened by wrong principles which they could
not perceive were deleterious in their effect.—
Special Testimonies
for Ministers and Workers 8, February 6, 1896, 26
. (
Testimonies to
Ministers and Gospel Workers, 392, 393
.)
Talk Less of Self (counsel to one who was overbearing and
dictatorial)—Let your heart be softened and melted under the divine
influence of the Spirit of God. You should not talk so much about
yourself, for this will strengthen no one. You should not make yourself
a center and imagine that you must be constantly caring for yourself
and leading others to care for you. Get your mind off from yourself
into a more healthy channel. Talk of Jesus, and let self go; let it be
submerged in Christ, and let this be the language of your heart: “I live;
yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” (
Galatians 2:20
). Jesus will be to you
a present help in every time of need. He will not leave you to battle
with the powers of darkness alone. Oh, no; He has laid help upon One
that is mighty to save to the uttermost.—
Testimonies for the Church
2:320, 321
(1869).
[273]
Beware of Self-sympathy—Cease sympathizing with yourself,
and remember the world’s Redeemer. Consider the infinite sacrifice
He has made in behalf of man, and think of His disappointment that
after He has made such a sacrifice in man’s behalf, man should choose
to ally himself with those who hate Christ and righteousness and
should become one with them in the indulgence of perverted appetite,
thus bringing eternal ruin to his soul.—
Testimonies for the Church
5:508
(1889).
Living for Self Dishonors God—The perils of the last days are
upon us. Those who live to please and gratify self are dishonoring
the Lord. He cannot work through them, for they would misrepresent
Him before those who are ignorant of the truth.... God may see that
you are fostering pride. He may see that it is necessary to remove
from you blessings which, instead of improving, you have used for
the gratification of selfish pride.—
Manuscript 24, 1904.
(
Selected
Messages 1:87
.)
Self-complacency Indicates Spiritual Need—Some are not will-
ing to do self-denying work. They show real impatience when urged
to take some responsibility. “What need is there,” say they, “of an
increase of knowledge and experience?”