The other day, my daughter and I walked across the beach to visit a friend.  After our visit, our friend offered to take us home on his boat.  Looking forward to our walk together on the beach during a brilliantly sunny day where waves would splash beauty onto our souls, my daughter and I declined the offer.  Then, not feeling slighted, neglected, or insulted, our friend offered to walk a part of the way back with us across the beach, instead.

I WROTE TO THE CHURCH, BUT DIOTREPHES, WHO LOVES TO BE FIRST, WILL HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH US.  SO IF I COME, I WILL CALL ATTENTION TO WHAT HE IS DOING, GOSSIPING MALICIOUSLY ABOUT US. NOT SATISFIED WITH THAT, HE REFUSES TO WELCOME THE BROTHERS. HE ALSO STOPS THOSE WHO WANT TO DO SO AND PUTS THEM OUT OF THE CHURCH
(3 John 1:9-10).

I would like to warn you that Self, the sinful nature in us, LIKES TO BE FIRST.  When someone treats Self with disdain or indifference, Self very easily feels slighted, neglected, and insulted.  This often results in sinful acts of having nothing to do with the offenders—gossiping maliciously, and refusing to be welcoming.

BUT YOU HAVE PLANTED WICKEDNESS, YOU HAVE REAPED EVIL, YOU HAVE EATEN THE FRUIT OF DECEPTION
(Hosea 10:13).

Know that Self has eaten of the fruit of deception; Self possesses no Truth. Instead, it is filled with the oppressing beliefs of the father-of-lies. Therefore, Self is always ready to plant wickedness and reap evil.

THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH. THE WORLD CANNOT ACCEPT HIM, BECAUSE IT NEITHER SEES HIM NOR KNOWS HIM. BUT YOU KNOW HIM, FOR HE LIVES WITH YOU AND WILL BE IN YOU
(John 14:17).

 Precious Child, Self does not know the Truth, because it neither sees Me, nor knows Me. However, YOU are able to know the Truth. Use your will to invite My Spirit of Truth into your heart, despite the spitefulness of Self. Allow Me, your Savior, to replace the deceitful beliefs of Self with My Self. Then, the Truth will set you free from feeling slighted, neglected, and insulted when someone declines your offer or invitation.

To what lengths would your Self go to be first? How does your Self react when someone treats it with disdain or indifference?

What would it take for you to lay Self, the sinful nature in you, down at the feet of the Lord Jesus, and allow Him to replace it with His Self?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, please help me. I cannot get rid of Self by myself. You need to do it for me. Therefore, I lay Self down at Your feet. Nail it to Your cross and exchange it for Your Self, so I may be free from Self’s selfish reactions.