Selfishness: the root of all sins

[mcarans]

In the following article, I look at the sins mentioned in the Bible, a definition of sin and what is at the root of sin - selfishness, a connection identified by ministers Andrew Murray and Walter Frederik Adeney, who said "He may be seeking what he calls his spiritual welfare - escape from hell, a happy future, or peace here. But all this is selfish. Selfishness in every respect must be uprooted in order that the true Christian life may be established"

Selfishness: the root of all sins : cruciformity

Do you see selfishness as the root of all sins or something else?

 

[timewerx]

I think it's Ignorance.

The love of money is caused by Ignorance of the Truth

Selfishness is caused by Ignorance of the Truth

People cause mischief, hurt others because of Ignorance

People get victimized because of ignorance

Some deliberately and intently spread misleading information to take advantage of others

Ignorance is the root of all sin....and evil.

 

[Justified Sinner]

No, selfishness is a product of our fallen nature. Because we are evil by nature, we are selfish. Fortunately for believers the Holy Spirit causes us to obey (Ezek 36:26-27; Phil 2:13).

 

[A_Thinker]

I think it's Ignorance.

The love of money is caused by Ignorance of the Truth

Selfishness is caused by Ignorance of the Truth

People cause mischief, hurt others because of Ignorance

People get victimized because of ignorance

Some deliberately and intently spread misleading information to take advantage of others

Ignorance is the root of all sin....and evil.

How could ignorance be the root of ALL sin ... when Adam, Eve, Cain, etc. we're specifically warned by God BEFORE they sinned ?

 

[Aussie Pete]

In the following article, I look at the sins mentioned in the Bible, a definition of sin and what is at the root of sin - selfishness, a connection identified by ministers Andrew Murray and Walter Frederik Adeney, who said "He may be seeking what he calls his spiritual welfare - escape from hell, a happy future, or peace here. But all this is selfish. Selfishness in every respect must be uprooted in order that the true Christian life may be established"

Selfishness: the root of all sins : cruciformity

Do you see selfishness as the root of all sins or something else?

Sin came about through disobedience. Being selfish is disobedience. Lord Jesus commands us to deny our self life. Many come to Christ for selfish reasons, including me. Self must make room for Christ. Otherwise, your life will be shallow and spiritually ineffective.

 

[Aussie Pete]

I think it's Ignorance.

The love of money is caused by Ignorance of the Truth

Selfishness is caused by Ignorance of the Truth

People cause mischief, hurt others because of Ignorance

People get victimized because of ignorance

Some deliberately and intently spread misleading information to take advantage of others

Ignorance is the root of all sin....and evil.

No one has to be ignorant. We have the Word and the Spirit to lead us into all truth. Ignorance is no excuse.

 

[bèlla]

It was long believed that pride was at the root of the seven deadly sins. Selfishness derives from pride and the latter is its ruler.

Pride separates and discriminates. It isn’t welcoming or considerate. And its wishes are foremost. Denial does not exist unless its beneficial.

 

[timewerx]

How could ignorance be the root of ALL sin ... when Adam, Eve, Cain, etc. we're specifically warned by God BEFORE they sinned ?

Apart from those warnings, there's a lot of things they still don't know.

Places with highest crime rates have the least amount of educated citizens.

Educated women have lower birth rates than uneducated women. High birthrates is more of a problem than a solution. This is a problem in many 3rd world countries.

And Christians who are prone to being deceived by false teachings tend to have little knowledge of Biblical teachings. Thus, are likely to commit sin as a result.

 

[timewerx]

No one has to be ignorant. We have the Word and the Spirit to lead us into all truth. Ignorance is no excuse.

That's true....Perhaps, they resent / reject the Truth. The Bible does say, it will happen. Many will reject the Truth for the false teachings of this world.

 

[nonaeroterraqueous]

I think it's Ignorance.

Satan is not ignorant of the truth. When Jesus came, the demons knew exactly who he was. Knowledge of the truth does not guarantee a correct reaction to it. It is a useful tool that is used according to the nature of the one wielding it.

Selfishness derives from pride and the latter is its ruler.

Pride stems from selfishness, and not the other way around. Greed also stems from selfishness. The vast majority of sin is traced to these two things.

Selfishness, the epitome of sin, does two things: it elevates a man to godhood (pride), and it reduces one's fellow man to mere obstacles or resources (greed). In the first respect it fails to love God with heart, mind and soul, and in the second respect it fails to love one's neighbor as oneself. This makes it the most comprehensive of all personal failures, because it violates the greatest commandment, as well as the second. All the law of the prophets hangs on those two things.

 

[bèlla]

In respect to spiritual warfare, pride is the ruler. It may not be the strongman. But you would never overcome selfishness without dealing with pride. It is the hardest to get rid of.

 

[bèlla]

Pride is considered, on almost every list, the original and most serious of the seven deadly sins: the perversion of the faculties that make humans more like God—dignity and holiness. It is also thought to be the source of the other capital sins.

In reality there is, perhaps no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive and will every now and then peep out and show itself; you will see it, perhaps, often in this history. For even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility. —Benjamin Franklin

There is no passion that steals into the heart more imperceptibly and covers itself under more disguises than pride. —Joseph Addison

 

[mcarans]

Satan is not ignorant of the truth. When Jesus came, the demons knew exactly who he was. Knowledge of the truth does not guarantee a correct reaction to it. It is a useful tool that is used according to the nature of the one wielding it.



Pride stems from selfishness, and not the other way around. Greed also stems from selfishness. The vast majority of sin is traced to these two things.

Selfishness, the epitome of sin, does two things: it elevates a man to godhood (pride), and it reduces one's fellow man to mere obstacles or resources (greed). In the first respect it fails to love God with heart, mind and soul, and in the second respect it fails to love one's neighbor as oneself. This makes it the most comprehensive of all personal failures, because it violates the greatest commandment, as well as the second. All the law of the prophets hangs on those two things.

Yes agreed, that's a point I make in the linked article in the OP.

 

[timewerx]

Satan is not ignorant of the truth. When Jesus came, the demons knew exactly who he was. Knowledge of the truth does not guarantee a correct reaction to it. It is a useful tool that is used according to the nature of the one wielding it.

The Truth cannot be summed to just a few things.

The rebellious angels rebelled even if knew they had 0% chance of succeeding? Doesn't add up.

The Truth will set you free... The opposite of which, ignorance will keep you in bondage...as sin does.

 

[bling]

In the following article, I look at the sins mentioned in the Bible, a definition of sin and what is at the root of sin - selfishness, a connection identified by ministers Andrew Murray and Walter Frederik Adeney, who said "He may be seeking what he calls his spiritual welfare - escape from hell, a happy future, or peace here. But all this is selfish. Selfishness in every respect must be uprooted in order that the true Christian life may be established"

Selfishness: the root of all sins : cruciformity

Do you see selfishness as the root of all sins or something else?

I have heard that before.

Why are we not all created without selfishness?

Is God totally unselfish always doing for others first?

Did the prodigal son’s selfish desire to just have some type of undeserved livable life, not cause him to wimp out and return to his father, selfishly wanting undeserved charity?

Selfishness seems to be derived from the instinct for self-preservation, but if you did not can to continue living would eternal life loss it’s value to you?

Once given everything, with the one exception of actually living in paradise at the moment, your desires fulfilled is selflessness doable?

 

[bling]

I think it's Ignorance.

The love of money is caused by Ignorance of the Truth

Selfishness is caused by Ignorance of the Truth

People cause mischief, hurt others because of Ignorance

People get victimized because of ignorance

Some deliberately and intently spread misleading information to take advantage of others

Ignorance is the root of all sin....and evil.

Can a person "Know" the truth and refuse to obey the truth?

 

[A_Thinker]

That's true....Perhaps, they resent / reject the Truth. The Bible does say, it will happen. Many will reject the Truth for the false teachings of this world.

Many will refuse to come to the light ... because their deeds are evil ...

 

[A_Thinker]

I have heard that before.

Why are we not all created without selfishness?

I believe that Biblical LOVE includes ... LOVE for oneself.

Thou shalt love they neighbor ... as thyself.

It's about the whole family doing well ...

 

[A_Thinker]

Can a person "Know" the truth and refuse to obey the truth?

Of course ...

 

[A_Thinker]

Did the prodigal son’s selfish desire to just have some type of undeserved livable life, not cause him to wimp out and return to his father, selfishly wanting undeserved charity?

The necessary context for LOVE (which is God's desire) is community, family, partnership.

The Prodigal son knew that returning to community ... meant reclaiming the blessings which arise from community. But living in community entails responsibility too.

It is only within community that we can do for one another.

God gives us nothing ... to consume without regard for others.

To do so ... is, ultimately, selfish ...