Selfishness Works! For You

By Jamey Hinds

Do we ever wonder why things are sometimes so crazy. Currently we’re living in a time that is practically unprecedented for most of us—a word we’ve heard a lot lately because we’re navigating, as a society, through uncharted territory. I remember when this pandemic was initially announced that it felt like a Category 3 coming in on us. I’m just saying it felt that way, but the reality was that we could all deal with a Cat–3 because we’ve been through storms like that: we therefore know what to expect and, generally, how to deal with things associated with these storms. This pandemic, however, has been different for everyone.

It’s inaccurate to say that “A lot of us are frustrated” — the truth is: we’re all frustrated. Not everyone is getting that, though. Again, it’s not that some are frustrated, or that most are frustrated; everyone is frustrated. Yes, there are differing degrees being experienced, but everyone is experiencing frustration, and clearly not always dealing well with it.

One of the greatest challenges to us all is the strong temptation to get our way—to get others to understand exactly how we’re feeling, or how we’re thinking. Getting our way is plain ol’ selfishness; and selfishness is damaging to everyone. The remedy is not an easy one: the remedy is forgetting self. And to be clear: I cannot say as Paul said: “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). I struggle with selfishness too. And please allow me to say this before going further—selfishness is dangerous because when we filter everything through selfishness, we begin to get paranoid: thinking that everything is directed at us.

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (James 3:13–18).

Heart Problems

Where does it all begin? In our hearts! James, again, says: “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth” (James 3:14). Jesus said: “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person” (Mark 7:20–23).

The Wisdom from above Is First Pure

This isn’t too hard to get, but it’s quite interesting to me that in addressing selfish motives and how wrong they are, James starts off by saying the wisdom from above is first pure. First means first: we don’t need a dictionary for this at all. We get this; but why does he begin with purity? The Greek word used here is defined as “that which awakens awe.” That seems more than merely pure, but maybe more inclined toward reverent.

Peaceable, Gentle

Warren Weirsbe writes, “The gentle person does not deliberately cause fights, but neither does he compromise the truth in order to keep peace” (Be Mature: Growing Up in Christ, p. 111).

The apostles sometimes struggled with a spirit of competition (Mark 9:33–37; 10:35–45). Worldly wisdom generates this bad attitude, even among Christians. That’s why the wisdom from above is a contrast in its source and fruit. “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Heb. 12:11). In our context of James 3:17 he concludes: “And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (v. 18). “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful” (Col. 3:16). “I … urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1–3).

Open to Reason

The NKJV has: “willing to yield.” Heavenly wisdom is reasonable; the opposite is unreasonable. This isn’t difficult to get, but it is difficult to master. Are we reasonable when we disagree? Or do we struggle with selfishness and, therefore, when disagreeing with become disagreeable?

Full of Mercy and Good Fruits

Christians should have the reputation for being merciful. But how many of us delight in being unmerciful? “And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matthew 9:11–13; also see 12:1–8). Accompanying mercy is good fruits—it’s easy to talk the talk, but showing our faith! Earlier in the book of James, he writes: “But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (2:18). Please emphasize the word full—full of mercy and good fruits. If we’re full of self, then we can’t be full of mercy.

Impartial and Sincere

In James 2:1–13 he addresses Christians showing partiality. He says, “Have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” (2:4). Christians are to be impartial. What does this mean? “So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:12–13; also read 4:10–12).

Sincere literally means without hypocrisy. “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart” (1 Peter 1:22).