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I really wanted to come up with a better title because this one sounds a little harsh. But when I have a problem with SELF, a gentle approach isn’t very effective. I can be self-absorbed. I can be selfish. Sometimes I’m self-promoting or relying on myself. And the blunt message I need to hear is, “Get over yourself.” If you ever struggle with me-times-three, too, this topic can help you put things back into their proper perspective.

In the front of your Bible, write: Get Over Yourself- Job 13:23

How many are my iniquities and sins? Make known to me my rebellion and my sin.

Sometimes the first step in any difficult situation is to find out if I’m the problem. I need to pray about it and ask God to help me see any heart problems. It’s ironic that when the problem is “self” I’m often the last one to see it. Underline the entire verse. At the end of the verse, write Psa. 26:2.

Examine me, O Lord, and try me; test my mind and my heart.

David is asking God to test his “inner man,” the secret side of him that no one but God knows. Underline the entire verse. At the end of the verse, write Prov. 27:2.

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

There may be times when I’m tempted to let “slip” a good deed I’ve done or honor I’ve received. Underline the entire verse. At the end, write Jer. 9:23,24.

Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.

What a great passage! Not only does it remind me not to seek self-glory but it turns my attention to the One whom I am to glorify. Boast in the Lord. He is worthy! Circle all occurrences of the word “boast.” At the end of the verse, write Matt. 16:24,25.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”

Underline “deny himself” and “whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” It would be good to ask some questions here. What demonstrates that I am denying myself to follow Christ? How am I indulging myself? At the end of the verse, write John 3:30.

He must increase, but I must decrease.

Underline the entire verse. At the end, write Rom. 15:1-3.

Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those who are without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please himself…

Underline “please ourselves,” “please his neighbor,” and “please himself.” At the end of verse three, write 1 Cor. 8:13.

Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.

Read all of chapter eight to understand the context. Just because we can do something doesn’t mean we should. It’s more important to consider the feelings and well-being of others. Sometimes selfishness causes us to insist on our rights even at the expense of others. Underline the entire verse. At the end of the verse, write 10:24.

Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.

Paul is continuing the same thought (see v. 23). Underline the entire verse. At the end, write 2 Cor. 5:15.

And He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

Underline “no longer live for themselves, but for Him.” At the end of the verse, write Gal. 2:20.

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Underline “it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” Circle “gave Himself up for me.” If the Son of God can give Himself up for me, surely I can give myself up for Him. At the end of the verse, write 6:14.

But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Circle “boast.” Underline “in the cross of our Lord.” This is the solution to every selfish temptation. Hold up the cross! At the end of the verse, write Phil. 2:3,4.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Circle “selfishness” and underline “regard one another as more important than yourselves.” At the end, write Col. 3:3.

For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Underline “your life is hidden with Christ.” At the end of the verse, write James 3:16.

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.

Circle “selfish ambition” and underline “there is disorder and every evil thing.” Has sin entered my life? Is there disorder? If so, could it be that the problem is my own selfish ambition?

“As selfishness and complaint pervert the mind, so love with its joy clears and sharpens the vision.”

(Helen Keller)

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Kathy Pollard

Kathy is married to Neal Pollard, who preaches for the Lehman Ave. church of Christ in Bowling Green, KY. They have three grown sons, all married, 2 new grandsons, and a granddaughter on the way! Kathy attended Faulkner University and Bear Valley Bible Institute and has a bachelor’s degree in Bible. She is the author of the book, Return to Me…What to Do When Loved Ones Fall Away. She and Carla Moore host a weekly podcast for Christian women called Looking Up. Kathy enjoys spending time with family, traveling to Israel, tending her gardens, and getting to know her new dairy cow, Peaches.

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