Our biggest problem?

[OldWiseGuy]

Is our basic selfish, thoughtless nature our biggest problem? If yes, do enough people recognize it to take steps to address it? Wouldn't it be useful to admit it to ourselves as adults then teach our kids early on that this will be their biggest hurdle in life, controlling this selfish nature? And wouldn't such teaching be some comfort to the lower class kids knowing that their better-off classmates have this nature as well?

Appealing to our 'better angels' hasn't worked so well. Maybe it's time to address our 'demons'. Thoughts?

 

[ananda]

IMO our biggest problem is ignorance & delusion, both of which leads to attachments and aversions, which in turn leads to suffering ... and everything we do to pacify that suffering, including selfishness.

 

[CoolDude68]

Because we live in a fallen world yes, this is a problem; deception against His creation.

He wants believers to spread the Gospel and witness to others in our own unique ways and to live by His example and obey Him. It's not complicated. However, many of us fall short in doing what is pleasing to Him.

 

[durangodawood]

IMO our biggest problem is ignorance & delusion, both of which leads to attachments and aversions, which in turn leads to suffering ... and everything we do to pacify that suffering, including selfishness.

Why is the truth so darn obscure that almost everyone lives in ignorance???

 

[A_Thinker]

Is our basic selfish, thoughtless nature our biggest problem? If yes, do enough people recognize it to take steps to address it? Wouldn't it be useful to admit it to ourselves as adults then teach our kids early on that this will be their biggest hurdle in life, controlling this selfish nature? And wouldn't such teaching be some comfort to the lower class kids knowing that their better-off classmates have this nature as well?

Appealing to our 'better angels' hasn't worked so well. Maybe it's time to address our 'demons'. Thoughts?

Even the Bible alludes our strength in unity (as opposed to selfishness) ...

Genesis 11

1. And the whole earth was of one language and of one speech. 2. And it happened that as they moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. 3. And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar. 4. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. 5. But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6. And the Lord said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them.

A recent phenomenon is the so-called cult of self-esteem, where we are not urged to confront our demons, ... but rather, accept them and even, have no shame in displaying them.

Even scientists have determined that one of humanity's chiefest advantages is its ability to join with one another for the good of the whole, rather than the individual. The selfishness (i.e. of the self) that we see today, and that we've seen in past ages, is, quite obviously, a hindrance to the progress of humanity as a whole. Unfortunately, it typically takes tragedy/threat/loss/suffering to bring us out of "self" mode even for a brief moment.

 

[ananda]

Why is the truth so darn obscure that almost everyone lives in ignorance???

The truth is obscured by an unwieldy, uncontrolled mind.

 

[CoolDude68]

Reread #3, first sentence.

 

[durangodawood]

The truth is obscured by an unwieldy, uncontrolled mind.

How did the mind get this way?

It seems crazy that a God would design such a flawed thing, OR that we'd evolve into such a sorry condition.

 

[ananda]

How did the mind get this way?

It seems crazy that a God would design such a flawed thing, OR that we'd evolve into such a sorry condition.

What I do know: I cause ignorance & delusion in myself, by not controlling my mind.

What I don't know: whether there is God behind it or not.

 

[Adstar]

Is our basic selfish, thoughtless nature our biggest problem? If yes, do enough people recognize it to take steps to address it? Wouldn't it be useful to admit it to ourselves as adults then teach our kids early on that this will be their biggest hurdle in life, controlling this selfish nature? And wouldn't such teaching be some comfort to the lower class kids knowing that their better-off classmates have this nature as well?

Appealing to our 'better angels' hasn't worked so well. Maybe it's time to address our 'demons'. Thoughts?

I believe our biggest problem is Pride.. When it comes to God, Pride really gets in the way of a good relationship with Him..

James 4: KJV
{6} But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."

 

[Hidden In Him]

Is our basic selfish, thoughtless nature our biggest problem? If yes, do enough people recognize it to take steps to address it? Wouldn't it be useful to admit it to ourselves as adults then teach our kids early on that this will be their biggest hurdle in life, controlling this selfish nature?

I would agree with this almost fully. The one exception would be that instead of teaching our kids to control it, we should instead be teaching them to crucify it (Galatians 5:24; Galatians 2:20).

 

[Mountainmanbob]

Self deception may be one of our biggest faults.
If not very careful, I can talk myself into doing many ungodly things.
The Bible says to examine ourselves (a daily process).
For it is easy to make a wrong turn.
Some in prison made one wrong turn on only one given day.
M-Bob

 

[A_Thinker]

I would agree with this almost fully. The one exception would be that instead of teaching our kids to control it, we should instead be teaching them to crucify it (Galatians 5:24; Galatians 2:20).

How does one teach/model such a thing, ... except, perhaps, by being Amish ... ???

 

[Hidden In Him]

How does one teach/model such a thing, ... except by being Amish ... ???

Ha! That brings images to mind, LoL.

To answer your question, you teach them scripture, such as the ones I quoted you. And you model it by living out Galatians 5:16-25, i.e. living in such a way that you are continually feeding your spirit man while crucifying the flesh. Periodic fasting and a lifestyle dedicated to prayer would be an excellent start, though you wouldn't want kids fasting that much themselves until they were at least into their later teens, imo. But the lessons taught by the lifestyle you were leading would be very clear to them: That the flesh wars against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh, that these two are contrary to one another, and that if you would please God you must make sure the Spirit is in the ascendancy.

 

[PsychoSarah]

How did the mind get this way?

It seems crazy that a God would design such a flawed thing, OR that we'd evolve into such a sorry condition.

Why? Our survival wasn't contingent upon understanding the nature of the universe itself, as well as a variety of other topics we have begun to show an interest in. So, natural selection pressures wouldn't have pushed our brains to develop such that we could easily understand such concepts.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

I'm not sure that fasting portrays any belief other than that Christ's presence is not with us ... just an observation ... joy and peace beyond understanding would be a better way of demonstrating that He is in fact always there.

 

[Hidden In Him]

I'm not sure that fasting portrays any belief other than that Christ's presence is not with us ... just an observation ... joy and peace beyond understanding would be a better way of demonstrating that He is in fact always there.

I understand what you are saying. Only the issue brought up by the OP is how to address the selfish nature in us all, which according to the New Testament especially called for a fleshly crucifixion of sorts. But there was no need to choose either one or the other. Crucifixion of the flesh through fasting better prepared the saints for enduring persecution and affliction, yet in the midst of strong opposition the saints were continually rejoicing in the Spirit (Acts 16:25, Hebrews 10:34)

Jesus also said to put on joyful clothing when fasting (Matthew 6:16-18), so the clear implication was that you could do both at the same time.

 

[Hidden In Him]

Jesus also said to put on joyful clothing when fasting (Matthew 6:16-18), so the clear implication was that you could do both at the same time.

Wow... I just noticed that Matthew 6:18 never actually mentions joyful clothing, but simply to anoint one's head and wash one's face (ways of making yourself look presentable). The part about the clothing must have been something I picked up from some freelancing preacher I heard a long time ago and simply incorporated it as "scripture." My apologies, @~Cassia~.

A better additional verse would be 1 Thessalonians 1:6.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

I understand what you are saying. Only the issue brought up by the OP is how to address the selfish nature in us all, which according to the New Testament especially called for a fleshly crucifixion of sorts. But there was no need to choose either one or the other. Crucifixion of the flesh through fasting better prepared the saints for enduring persecution and affliction, yet in the midst of strong opposition the saints were continually rejoicing in the Spirit (Acts 16:25, Hebrews 10:34)

Jesus also said to put on joyful clothing when fasting (Matthew 6:16-18), so the clear implication was that you could do both at the same time.

I just equate the 'beating the body into submission' thing that Paul puts forth as being a teaching tool for monks to place on their charges to endorse self-floggings etc. Not that I don't fast periodically. Some things need fast and prayer when all else fails. Paul didn't want to shadowbox because he realized that the fight was not against flesh and blood but against principalities of the air. ... jm2c

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Wow... I just noticed that Matthew 6:18 never actually mentions joyful clothing, but simply to anoint one's head and wash one's face (ways of making yourself look presentable). The part about the clothing must have been something I picked up from some freelancing preacher I heard a long time ago and simply incorporated it as "scripture." My apologies, @~Cassia~.

A better additional verse would be 1 Thessalonians 1:6.

Sorry, I didn't mean to talk out of turn to anyone just a sorta petpeeve that I have ... like tything money is top of the list for God when He actually means give best of everything to Him starting with time spent. That would be 1/10th of time = 2.4 hrs a day. Some people prefer to give money ...