Question 1

How can we overcome our tendency to be self-centered in relation to God?

Accepted Answer

Romans 12:3Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.We will not escape self-centeredness until our focus is on God and on accepting his right to determine the course of our lives.Luke 22:41-44He [Jesus] walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.John 5:30“I [Jesus] can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will.”The essence of self-centeredness is asserting our will and insisting it be done. We reject this tendency when we agree that God—our Creator and heavenly Father—has the right to assert his will on our lives. Jesus is our model in this practice.

Question 2

How can we overcome our tendency to be self-centered in relation to others?

Accepted Answer

2 Corinthians 1:5-7The more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.Galatians 6:1-6If another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct. Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them.We control self-centeredness by remembering what Christ has done to serve us and then turning to serve others.

Question 3

What about leadership and self-centeredness?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 18:22“They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you.”Authentic leadership must be other-centered, yet willing to delegate responsibilities in order that more might be accomplished than we could ever do on our own.James 5:13-18Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.Leaders set the standard of other-centered transparency by confessing sins to one another and always being available to offer fervent prayer for those who are in need.

Self-Centeredness