Self-protection or self-surrender? (Suspicion or love?)

Posted on August 19, 2014 by Steve Simms

Self-protection produces isolation, defensiveness, self-focus, and alienation from others. Self-surrender produces openness, understanding, community, and mutuality.

Self-protection quenches the Holy Spirit and will keep God distant from you. Self-surrender opens the flood gates and lets God’s rivers of grace and glory flow from within your heart.

A formal program facilitates self-protection. Open sharing and testimonies facilitate self-surrender.  (Perhaps churches should be less formal and more participatory.)

Self-protection produces suspicion, insecurity, worry, fear, and anxiety. Self-surrender produces love, joy, peace, faith, and trust.

“The greatness of the man’s power is the measure of his surrender.”  —William Booth (co-founder of The Salvation Army)

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About Steve Simms

I like to look and think outside the box. In college I encountered Jesus Christ and I have been passionate about trying to get to know Him better ever since. My wife and I long to see the power and passion of the first Christ-followers come to life in our time. I have written a book about our experiences in non-traditional church, called, "Beyond Church: An Invitation To Experience The Lost Word Of The Bible--Ekklesia." If you need encouragement, search for: Elephants Encouraging The Room and/or check out my Amazon author page. Thank you!
This entry was posted in greatness of a man's power, human relations, Salvation Army, self, self-control, self-denial, self-discipline, self-esteem, self-focus, self-image, self-improvement, self-interest, self-mastery, self-sacrifice, self-surrender, selfishness, spirit, surrender, William Booth and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

2 Responses to Self-protection or self-surrender? (Suspicion or love?)

  1. Pingback: When The Game Stands Tall, Yall! | Free Gas For Your Think Tank (Steve Simms Blogs From Nashville)

  2. Pingback: The Bible Teaches That Love Is A Fruit Of The Spirit | Free Gas For Your Think Tank (A blog to jog your mind and unclog your heart . . .)

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