Results of an “I-Centered” Life

In James 3:16 I read, “Wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.” (NLT)

When “I” am at the center of everything in my life, that’s sin.

I have an “I” problem: I want it my way; I will do my thing; I have to take care of myself first; I don’t have time for others; I am the most important thing.

At the root of sin is self-centeredness, and the middle letter of “pride” just also happens to be “I.” Where else does this apply? All “crime” is self-centered. A lot of social problems in the world today are caused by three groups with “I” at the center: racists, sexists, and chauvinists. All of these work off the philosophy that “I am better than you.”

What other I-centered sins happen when you start living a self-focused life? You start to “whine” and “criticize.” You turn “envious,” “deceitful,” “defiant,” and “merciless”—because you want grace for yourself but not for others.

What are the results of living a self-focused life? Guilt, fatigue, pessimism, hostility, and emptiness, all with “I” at the center.

What is the only antidote to an I-focused life? You have to change your focus.

You were made by God and for God. And you will only find peace and purpose when you focus your life on him. “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you” (Isaiah 26:3 NLT).

In summary, wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, I'll find disorder and evil of every kind. This happens to me when “I” is at the center of everything in my life. I have an “I” problem: I want it my way; I will do my thing; I have to take care of myself first; I don’t have time for others; I am the most important thing. At the root of sin is self-centeredness. Other I-centered sins happen when I start living a self-focused life. I start to “whine” and “criticize. I turn “envious,” “deceitful,” “defiant,” and “merciless”, all because I want grace for myself but not for others. The results of living a self-focused life are Guilt, fatigue, pessimism, hostility, and emptiness, all with “I” at the center. The only antidote to an I-focused life is to change my focus. I was made by God and for God. I will only find peace and purpose when I focus my life on him.

Father, I have to admit that a lot of my thoughts revolve around me. With the help of the Holy Spirit in my life, I would like to change a lot of the “I” thoughts to you Father. This morning I also ask again for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. Also I thank you for the healing I have received for my head cold. These things I pray in your Son Jesus’ name, amen.