DYING TO SELF

 

We talk about dying-to-self and the never-ending quest to prove our personal worth, to make-it, and to look good in the eyes of others. However, are we able and willing and to surrender the desire to be the center of attention, admired, successful, and affirmed? Certainly not! These are life-controlling addictions, which we can barely see, and these control our minds. As difficult as it might be to break our addiction to cigarettes, such addictions are external rather than our very heart, mind, and kidneys. I am convinced that it would be easier stop breathing than to break these cravings to prove our worth. Consequently, it is often said that the narcissist cannot change. However, Jesus claimed that we must:

•    Luke 17:10 “So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”

How can we consider ourselves as unworthy, when our entire life depends upon believing highly of ourselves in order to even function? We cannot as Jesus had taught:

•    John 15:4–6 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.

If we trust in Him, the Father will prune us back so that we can bear good fruit:

•    John 15:1–2 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

As we learn self-despair, we begin to trust in Him to perform this needful and painful surgery to realize that it’s all about Him:

•    Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Our Savior purposely puts us in situations where our own confidence fails us, leaving only one alternative—to trust in Him exclusively:

•    Proverbs 3:5–7 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

We trust Him by also taking His medicine by turning from our old ways—and we are not alone in this:

•    1 Corinthians 10:12–13 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

To trust in ourselves and to retain control is a burden too heavy to bare:

•    Jeremiah 17:5–7 Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.”

Trusting in Jesus is a joy:

•    Psalm 33:20–21 Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.

•    Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

What greater joy than knowing that He loves us and takes care of us (Romans 8:28). Consequently, we gladly surrender our sovereignty to Him, no longer wanting to be captain of our own ship:

•    Romans 5:8–10 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

Spiritual change is not like taking a shower. Although we are being transformed as our mind is being renewed (Romans 12:2), it requires patience and humbling for God’s truths to percolate from the surface throughout our being.