It’s in our selfishness that the seeds of sin grow
This was one of the reasons new age attracted me with its doctrine—that you and only you are in control of your life. The power to manifest the reality you desire. A mindset where there is no obligation, or organized religion. To believe you’re on a spiritual path. However, its roots are grown in selfish ambitions and desires.
In essence, it hardens your heart towards God and His Son, Jesus, as it teaches you to believe you have the power over what happens in your life. It’s a movement that attracts millions of people, as we’re constantly searching to feel fulfilled.
However, it’s not without consequences. The deeper you get involved, the tighter the grip darkness has over you. And it’s real. I experienced a barrage of blasphemous thoughts that attacked me with every breath. I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone. It was only through the help of Jesus that victory was overcome, and the torment ceased instantly.
To be in peace takes sacrifice and a surrender to attachments of the world, as Jesus is not of the world.
In John 17:14-21, Jesus prays to His Heavenly Father regarding His disciples for protection from the world.
Jesus is asking His Father to protect His disciples as He sends them out into the world, that belongs to the evil one, to spread the truth about the word. Moreover, to sanctify them by the truth of His word and give them victory over the world’s grip. A grip that leads you to false beliefs and practices, disbelief in His existence, and where only me, myself and I, matter.
It's in our selfishness we do things we’re not proud of.
Take the story of figure skater Tonya Harding. Her husband Jeff Gillooly, together with co-conspirator, Shawn Eckardt, planned an attack to prevent Nancy Kerrigan from competing in the 1994 United States Figure Skating Championships and, thereafter, the Winter Olympics. This is an example where they got caught, but I’m sure there are numerous scenarios where people have exploited or harmed others to further advance themselves in their careers, personal ambitions, and didn’t get caught.
Everyone is selfish. It’s the burning intention to be above everyone else that leads you further down the rabbit hole. People get trapped in their own world of want. A hole so deep that climbing out may seem impossible. It can harden your heart as the taste to be of value, important and respected becomes the rule of your life.
Jesus prayed for His disciples, so they would be protected from our selfishness and wickedness, through His sanctification.
To be sanctified is a process. Jesus sanctified himself in the truth by submitting to scripture and His father’s will.
But how do you overcome the world riddled with selfish intentions?
You overcome by the word of your testimony, loving Jesus, and unafraid to put to death habits and idiosyncrasies that don’t align with God’s plan for you. It’s a process of letting go, one step at a time. Facing your fears, traumas, knowing that Jesus is with you. He shares your pain. It’s also with testing the spirits to ensure they are from God.
When you give your life to Jesus, and ask Him to be your Lord and Savior, you’re blessed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. A light that glows within you. A light God recognizes. It’s the price paid by Christ Jesus so you can communicate with our Heavenly Father. A light that grows as you delight in Jesus. Praising Him as He is worthy of our praise. To love like Jesus and be like Him. With Jesus, no selfish temptation has victory over you. That is the purpose—to overcome temptation through Him. Temptation in seeking worldly attributes to fill the emptiness in your heart, instead of seeing what’s in front of you. A loving God who sent His Son as a sacrificial lamb so you can live again.
It’s our selfish nature that breeds spiritual warfare. Imagine, for a moment, if you were to see what God sees, encounters behind the veil, the supernatural realm. The demons, angels, and the glory of Jesus walking amongst us, we’d be in terror and awe. We should pause, be grateful to God, this realm is invisible and that He didn’t leave us unprepared.
Ephesians 6:10-14
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
To place your faith and trust in the armor of God, will protect you, as what’s written is truth and cannot be undone. The Bible is God breathed and to those who read it, grow in love with Jesus and want more and more of Him.
New life and beginnings are in your breath to make. When you ask Jesus to help you and be your Lord and Saviour, He is there instantly.
It leads me to the documentary ‘After Death’ by Angel Studios. One of the interviewees shared his story—a testimony of how Jesus saved him after he died. His experience wasn’t one of enlightenment, it was dark. When he stopped breathing, he found himself standing in the hallway of the hospital he was in. He knew intuitively he couldn’t return to his room. As he stood, five dark hooded figures approached him. He was confused as he didn’t realize he was dead. The figures grabbed him. Next, he felt like he was falling into a deep crevasse of darkness. When they stopped these five figures with their hideous laugh began to disembowel him. At this moment, he screamed for Jesus to help him, and he was rescued.
Even in the depths of hell, Jesus hears your cries, as He has overcome death. However, this interviewer was in darkness due to his selfish intentions and the need to control others with his words. When he awakened in bed, he was grateful to be alive, and surrendered his life to Jesus.
This scripture is a reminder to not seek our selfish desires or vanity, but to be humble towards others. It’s a sanctification process where Jesus molds your heart to focus on being righteous, and not bound to the earth. It may take a lifetime to achieve all that He desires for you. The point is to take the first step.
What attitude do we need to be in the presence of Jesus?
To be willing to sacrifice, submit, repent, praise, and follow His commandment to love one another as He loves you.
Jesus is worthy of our sacrifice. To sacrifice the old self and have it replaced anew in His light. To submit to His will, allowing Him to take the reins as He knows you through and through. There is nothing you can hide from Him. He knows your selfish nature and loves you. He died for you while you were a sinner. To repent of your selfish desires brings you closer to Him. It allows Him to mold you to be more like Him.
1 John 5:1-5
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
Faith grows by building a relationship in Jesus. As you grow, the Holy Spirit communicates in various ways, through song, gentle statements, or even in your dreams.
It’s a beautiful journey as Jesus guides you, molds you into the person He sees. He changes characteristics you’d never imagine possible, and does it with ease, as long as your heart is open, and you trust Him in all things.
Are there different measures of faith? Yes! Jesus repeated ‘you of little faith’ to His disciples in scripture more than once. Even a mustard seed of faith can move mountains.
Meditating on the word of God increases your faith. It protects you. Keeps you safe from a world that invites and builds your ego. The goal, increase your faith and put to death your selfishness. Get rid of it, then celebrate the victory. Believe the blood of Jesus will cleanse you.
Part of the process is to give your selfish intentions to God and believe He will provide for you. I’m continuously learning this lesson. On June 6th, our house sold by trusting in Him. It was a wonderful birthday present. But my heart was concerned with the ‘what ifs’...what if we can’t sell the bedroom furniture, living room furniture, office furniture. Or what if not everything sells at our moving out sales.
We sold items, I thought wouldn’t sell. The bedroom furniture was sold to the new owners of the house who also purchased a number of other items. It was so great to meet them and receive their support.
God provides but you have to give the reins to Him and walk away from being the owner of your life.
We are victorious in Christ Jesus and in His blood, we have the gift to overcome the enemy and our selfishness, knowing He will never leave you.
Each day, you are faced with challenges. Some are unexpected. Some make you laugh where other events may shatter your spirit. However, strive to overcome evil and selfishness with the victory in Christ Jesus. In Him you will prevail and conquer.
Romans 12:21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Take His hand that is forever extended for you to take hold. Allow Him to be your Lord, Savior, and Shepherd. Be still—in awe as He transforms your heart. He walks before you, and knows exactly the path you’re meant, and have always been meant to follow. It’s in you to make the choice. A breathed word, and He will be there.
God Bless,
Hi, I’m Cathy.
A blogger, photographer, author, passionately driven to pointing people away from new age indoctrination to find redemption in Jesus Christ.
I’m a mixed blend, excited to share all I offer...
Blog-Twisted Roots
Do you find yourself asking questions about new age, whether the practices and beliefs are leading your soul to redemption?
As a reformed new ager, I was saturated in the belief I could co-create with the universe and manifest a life of abundance. But I was deceived. This blog is to point you to the truth of God’s words and how He perceives the new age indoctrination.
Fine Art Photography
I always dreamed of being a professional photographer when I grew up. It was a journey to reach this goal, but I did it!
I owned a home-based studio for over a decade but have been shooting images for two decades. Now, semi-retired, I have a collection of my most cherished images of landscape or nature available for wall décor.
