Are You God-Centered or Self-Centered? Day 4:

One of the ways you know that Jesus is at the center of your life is you worry less. Any time you start worrying, it should be a red flag, a warning sign that says, “I’ve allowed someone or something to become the center of my life instead of God.” If you make a person the center of your life, you’ll be under stress because you know that person can walk out of your life or even die. Knowing your center isn’t secure brings constant stress. So what’s at the center of your life? If it’s the stock market, your grandchildren, or something other than Jesus; you’ll be stressed. Another sign you may be self-centered is when you have no room for God or other spiritual relationships. Some people may have very busy schedules, which isn’t necessarily an indicator of selfishness. It’s important to look deeper and understand your heart, like why you’re busy and what you do when you do have time. A God-centered life consists of loving God and loving others completely. When we walk with God and obey the Bible, we live our lives God-centered and no longer prioritize ourselves. We instead value the things God values. We can slip into being self-centered when we lose our love for God and other people. "The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts" Psalm 10:4 (NKJV).

One way to know you are self-centered is when you refuse to trust God more than yourself. This scripture makes it clear that God doesn’t want us to lean on our own understanding or our own perspectives. He wants us to trust him and realize that we can’t figure out everything on our own. It takes humility to admit that only God truly knows everything. Thinking we know better than God is a sign our lives are centered around our own ego, emotions, and opinions rather than centered around God. It is in these moments that we have to explore our hearts and be honest with God about why we struggle to trust him. But how do you know when you’re living a self-centered life? It’s possible that we can be unaware or have a hard time admitting the ways that we are living to please ourselves. But if Jesus is at the center, you’ll be blessed. If we want to learn to trust God, we cannot just be content to express our emotions or unbelief in prayer. We have to also decide and choose to trust God despite all our emotions. The Bible tells us that the way to move past our self-centeredness is to love, and love for others grows out of God’s love for us. This means that the more we turn to God through prayer and reading Scriptures – instead of thinking about ourselves – the more we will have room in our hearts to love. "But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love" 1 Corinthians 13:10-13 (NKJV).

It’s comforting to know that being loving is not a personality trait or a talent, but a choice we can make every day to grow as we see God’s love for us. As we leave self-centeredness behind, we’ll find ourselves making a lasting impact on the world the way Jesus did — by genuinely caring about the people around us. When we are bitter, we only see things from a human point of view. We focus on and blame others for what they can or can’t give to us. That’s why a sign that you are self-centered is how easily you get bitter and resentful in your relationships. It’s comforting to know that being loving is not a personality trait or a talent, but a choice we can make every day to grow as we see God’s love for us. As we leave self-centeredness behind, we’ll find ourselves making a lasting impact on the world the way Jesus did; by genuinely caring about the people around us. Identifying the signs of self-centeredness in our lives is an important step in becoming and staying God-centered. Reflecting on the condition of our hearts helps us know how to change so we can live out God’s purpose for our lives. Who we are living for can be seen by our actions. As disciples of Christ we are called to live for Christ and like Christ. We are called to represent Him in every aspect of our lives. So, what do our actions speak about who we are living for? Are we living lives that are “Self-Centered” or “God-Centered”?

1. What do you think it means to be “self-centered”?

2. How can you tell if someone is living for themselves or living a life for Christ?

3. Why do you think obedience is ultimately the key to determining if someone is self-centered or God-centered?

4. What steps can you take to live a life that is more focused on God than yourself?

"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up" James 4:7-10 (NKJV).