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Selfishness - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) July 31, 2026

Jul 30

4 min read

Selfishness is encouraged and thrives in this day and age. Common sayings include "It's all about me," and "I'm just going to do me." For many, this attitude is a reaction to the reality that so many disregard people's kindness. And so, certain individuals put on the 'armor' of selfishness, thinking it will protect them from hurt and help them 'level up.' What they don't realize is that selfishness is a cleverly disguised scheme by satan to drag people into the gates of hell.

There are, of course, times when self-preservation is crucial. When a person's life and mental health are at risk, they must step away from unsafe people and situations. In such instances, it is also wise to seek God for strategy and wisdom to move successfully. Outside of such circumstances, however, we must realize that from God's perspective, those who habitually prioritize themselves are no different from the wicked whom He will punish. Romans 2:8 - But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

This issue of selfishness comes up elsewhere in the Bible. Consider Philippians 2:3-4 - Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,/ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. The average Christian would immediately reject what these verses instruct: put the needs of others above your needs. The world has conditioned them to do the opposite. But in reality, believers are supposed to be conditioned by the Word and not disobey it.

How many of us realize that we are told not to befriend the selfish in Proverbs 23:6? Or that Jesus said of the Pharisees that they were hypocrites and part of their hypocrisy was tied to their greed and selfishness (Matthew 23:25)? The Bible warns that in the end times selfishness will be common, saying in 2 Timothy 3:2 that "people will be lovers of themselves." The verses that follow mention evil characteristics of wickedness that are prevalent in our time. Characteristics that we believe will get us ahead in life, but that's not what the word of God says.

As many Christians are not applying the word of God in their daily existence, it is no surprise that their lives are no different from those who do not believe in Jesus or the Father. Most of us are unaware of James 3:13-16, which informs us that when we are envious and selfish, we are applying worldly wisdom. How many will admit that they are jealous of others and are selfish? Ignorance will not be a defense when the Lord summons us to give an account of the time He gave us on the earth. Especially not when you know better.

Alas, no selfish Christian should question God for not rewarding their hypocrisy and disobedience. None should expect to be blessed despite their disregard for His word and the many warnings He sends to nudge them away from the highway of backsliding and back to His narrow path. No believer should close their ears to His cries against selfishness but should realize that selfishness and other acts of the flesh will keep people from heaven (Galatians 5:19-21). Remember that God wants all His children to spend eternity with Him, and choices determine where each person ends up.

If you are thinking that selfish people are getting ahead, beware of that attitude. The Bible shows that those who accused God of blessing the wicked wearied Him. Yes, the Lord is merciful and patient, but it is best to avoid offending Him and not allow our lack of knowledge to cause a false accusation of unfairness against Him. Instead, realize that with the wicked, you only see a sliver of their lives - the part they want you to see. Such people are great at faking a packaged narrative. It is the wicked who put up a bold front (Proverbs 21:29). So, don't be stubborn.

You just haven't seen how the Lord is dealing with wicked people in private. He gives them time to repent and turn from their ways, and you should be grateful for this. Selfish people, therefore, should not be the sort you want to emulate. Instead, desire to be more like Jesus, who said it is better to give than receive (Acts 20:35). Start with praying to be less selfish, then study Jesus's life and that of His apostles to learn to be more giving and gracious. Also, make it a habit to put one person's needs before yours each day. That means, make a sacrifice for somebody else.

Give the money you were going to use to spoil yourself to an organization that feeds people with physical and spiritual food, for instance. Or, get a group of friends and go serve the less fortunate. Take the money you and your friends would have spent on a group outing to buy clothes or food items, then donate them. Also, make it a point to prioritize God's needs and concerns over yours. Ask Him in prayer and fasting what His wishes are. Ask how you can play a role in accomplishing them, no matter how small. Ask Him who you can help each week and how to assist the person.

Your life will not become dull by doing some or all of the suggestions above. Rather, your life will develop new meaning, become richer, and have a wider impact than you could have imagined. Plus, in rejecting the spirit of selfishness that has infiltrated the lives of so many, you would become more pleasing to God. And you would be putting His kingdom and His righteousness first. Matthew 6:33 tells us the reward for doing so: everything you need will come to you. The Lord will provide because He has to honor His word and He delights in blessing those who serve Him (Psalm 35:27).

Come back for fellowship at Noon EST. Until then, read the Altar Call below and these related messages:

Exaggerated Speech - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) July 28, 2026

P L U N D E R E R

Jul 27

3 min read

The mouth can be dangerous because with it, a person can sin. When we use foul language, lies, gossip and slander against people, or use hypercritical speech about others and even ourselves, our communication disobeys God. When this happens, we create problems for ourselves but potentially for those who hear and believe what we've said, because we may have led them to sin, which God detests.

Exaggeration is another form of speech Christians must beware of, because it can be a slippery slope leading to sinful habits we are to avoid. This is not to address the exaggeration used in comedy. There, it is understood that the story being told includes overstatement and overemphasis to make people laugh. However, when we normal people exaggerate in speech, we enlarge aspects of our story beyond the boundaries of what is actually true, often to make ourselves look better. In doing so, we end up lying, and the listener may be convinced of a falsehood.

There may have been no evil intended when the speaker started communicating. However, the following questions should be asked: Did they exaggerate? In doing so, did the communication express something that was not exactly the case, even if unintentionally? When this happens, they end up in a lie that should be cleared up quickly. This remedy should be implemented even when the exaggeration doesn't cause harm because the key is to be truthful and trustworthy in speech. It is also imperative to repent with a contrite heart to the Lord.

And yes, God takes the things we say seriously. This is why the Bible repeatedly teaches believers to be careful what they say. Jeremiah was warned against saying worthless things in Jeremiah 15:19. Jesus taught us that we will give account for every word we speak, including the worthless/empty/idle ones (Matthew 12:36-37). It, therefore, should be no surprise that God does not want us using exaggerated speech. In fact, we are told in Proverbs 24:28 - Be not a false witness against thy fellow citizen, neither exaggerate with thy lips (BST).

We serve a God who speaks plainly and does not peddle untruths. He does not deceive and indeed is called the God who cannot lie, not just the God who chooses not to lie (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18). He is our Father, and we are supposed to follow His example and not that of the "father of lies" - satan. It is the children of satan who lie as it does because they follow its example (John 8:44). Hence, we need to pay more attention to how we speak so we don't rely on exaggeration as a crutch when sharing information.

Being a Christian who observes the word of God requires a certain level of discipline in all areas of our life. The restraint needed to do this doesn't come naturally to everyone. But, through Jesus Christ, we have the Holy Spirit whose duty it is to fill us with wisdom and guide us from moment to moment. When we rely upon the Lord's Spirit, honor the instruction to guard our hearts, and pray for help to guard our lips, He will help. We will become more careful how we speak. And we'll see that our communication increasingly gives God the glory instead of depriving Him of it.

Come back for fellowship at Noon EST. Until then, read the Altar Call below and these related messages:

Why God Reveals The Future - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) July 24, 2026

P L U N D E R E R

Jul 24

5 min read

Are you familiar with the story of what happened at Kadesh Barnea? That's where the Israelites were camped when God told Moses to send 12 men into the Promised Land of Canaan to spy out the place. Many of us know the result of this exercise. Of the 12 men sent out, 10 came back and spread fear, convincing all who gathered to hear about their adventure that although the Lord said He'd given them that land, they were not powerful enough to take it. God got angry and declared punishment for their disbelief - the death of all who believed the bad report and 40 years in the desert.

Now, have you ever wondered why God told Moses to send those spies in the first place? If He knew they'd come back and discourage the community from taking what He promised, why bother sending them? It is clear there was a test involved, but what was the test and what was its purpose? Most Christians know that one lesson from this story is not to believe a report that challenges God's character. These naysayers spoke badly about themselves, even though they were built in God's image - declaring themselves ants in comparison to the inhabitants in the land.

In addition, the doubters ignored that God was able to help them conquer the people already living in the land. They lacked faith even though God had shown them His great power. They discouraged others from having faith as well. By refusing the call to claim what the Lord had given them, they repeated Esau's great sin of belittling and rejecting an inheritance. God pledged Canaan to their ancestor, Abraham, over four centuries earlier. He told him that the land would go to his descendants.

Let's go back to the original question - why send those spies in the first place? Why give them a peek into the future He'd promised? Why not just give them the promise instead of letting them fail only to be weaned from their erroneous ways over 4 decades? We often ignore the fact that God's ways will never be like those of us mere mortals. His ways are higher (Isaiah 55:8-9). We may think we know how things should be done, and we may think that our experience or technology will give us the best answer, but the Lord always knows better.

And here, the Lord sent the Israelite spies into Canaan so they would return and share a testimony that would make the people expectant and desirous of what He had for them. This was a choice He left to them to make because He is a gentleman who doesn't force His way on humans. He also wanted them to trust Him to get them exactly what He promised. They would be able to rely on Him, the God who made them witnesses of HIs power when He brought them out of slavery with great signs and wonders, and ensured they had water and food in a barren desert.

Just as He did with them, God tells us and/or shows what He has in store in an effort to get us excited about what He has coming. He wants us to want it and rely on Him through prayers, fasting, and praise until we get it. Never forget the Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18). As believers, we are not to stop praying. Jesus taught that we can petition the Lord as the widow nagged the judge until he gave in to her request. Is it wrong that He wants us to learn to persist in prayer? Prayers that we will need when, not if, the devil comes in a fury to try and destroy what the Lord has given?

The Lord doesn't do this because He is unfair. Instead, He does this because He is good and loves us. Think of it this way. When the wicked go to satan for what they want, it gives it to them relatively quickly. This may seem attractive, but realize that satan does not reveal the consequences that are certain to come for agreeing with it. Instead, it moves fast before they have time to understand what was lost for their request.

God, on the other hand, often gives people advance notice of His promises and eases His children into their blessings. This doesn't mean He cannot move instantly to change lives. He does this all the time for people as He deems fit. When He chooses the alternative, He prepares His people so that once they receive His best, it won't become a burden that could destroy them or others. He gives them the highest chance of success so that His gifts won't fall into the enemy's possession and thus become a weapon it can use to gloat against Him or oppress His own.

So did the Lord show you His promises for your future, and have you been waiting for a while to see them fulfilled? Do you understand Proverbs 13:12 because you think you are the example of "hope deferred?" Do you feel forgotten? Be encouraged and keep going onward, Christian soldier. It isn't easy to wait, but in that season, remember that the God who made a promise will bring His word to pass in your life. He didn't show you what's coming to punish you with the wait. He's working something out in you and around you. Plus, Jesus is at His right hand, standing in as your advocate. He is interceding on your behalf.

Find out what He's doing by going to Him. That way, you won't make the mistakes the Israelites did at Kadesh Barnea of forgetting His faithfulness, rejecting their godly inheritance, or bowing to fear and self-criticism. He who started a great work in you will finish it (Philippians 1:6). Hold on and stand firm. Know that His process to get you to the finish line is what you need for ultimate victory. If you don't backslide but keep walking with Him, that faith is currency that will not be ignored. You will be rewarded and strengthened, becoming an even more pleasing servant. A cherished and fruitful vine. Don't give up!

As you await fellowship at Noon EST, consider reading the Altar Call below and the following previous P&P messages: