Category Archives: selfishness

Self-focus (like “hocus pocus”) makes happiness disappear

Posted on August 28, 2022 by Steve Simms

Self-focusLike hocus pocusMakes happinessMagically disappear. The greater your self-focus, the less will be your happiness. The more you define happiness, the harder it is to find. Happiness is discovered through simple joys, not by a detailed, self-focused plan. Our self-focused … Continue reading →

Posted in how to be happy, inner joy, joy unspeakable, self-focus, self-forgetting, self-importance, self-surrender, selfishness, unhappiness | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

My selfie (me, not a self-made pic of me) gets me in trouble

Posted on March 11, 2019 by Steve Simms

“Me” is a tiny word that can cause treMEndous problems. An effective way to make yourself unhappy is to go through life continually asking, “Am I happy now? A missionless life is often unhappy. If you really want to pursue … Continue reading →

Posted in a cause beyond yourself, broadcast yourself, crucify yourself, deny yourself, die to self, Examine yourself, finding yourself, love yourself, self, self-assertion, self-destruction, self-destructive behaviors, self-discipline, self-discovery, self-effacement, self-exaltation, self-forgetting, self-forgiveness, self-fulfillment, self-hate, self-image, self-importance, self-indulgence, self-inflicted, self-interest, self-justification, self-mastery, self-medicating, self-promotion, self-regulation, self-respect, self-restraint, self-sacrifice, self-surrender, self-talk, selfishness | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Seeking self-satisfaction is an endless whirlpool of “me, my, and mine” — a downward spiral, swirling with discouragement, depression, and despair. The search for self-fulfillment is a misery making myth that sucks the life out of people, throwing them into a raging stream of self-sedation and mindless medication. The only rescue is the recovery of self-denial — passionately following a cause that is greater than self — losing yourself in serving others.

Posted on August 20, 2016 by Steve Simms
Posted in despair, discouragement, finding yourself, me my mine, self-control, self-denial, self-destruction, self-destructive behaviors, self-discovery, self-esteem, self-focus, self-forgiveness, self-fulfillment, self-hate, self-help, self-image, self-importance, self-improvement, self-indulgence, self-interest, self-justification, self-mastery, self-promotion, self-respect, self-restraint, self-sacrifice, self-surrender, self-worth, selfish desires, selfishness, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Express yourself or suppress yourself?

Posted on August 2, 2016 by Steve Simms

Contrary to popular opinion, continual self-expression leads to depression, stress, and duress. For example, contemporary culture has opened the door to almost unlimited self-expression, yet, rather than producing widespread happiness and fulfillment, we have some of the highest depression and … Continue reading →

Posted in accept yourself, broadcast yourself, deny yourself, love yourself, self-denial, self-destruction, self-discipline, self-discovery, self-focus, self-forgiveness, self-fulfillment, self-hate, self-help, self-image, self-importance, self-improvement, self-indulgence, self-interest, self-justification, self-medicating, self-regulation, self-respect, self-restraint, self-righteousness, self-sacrifice, self-surrender, self-talk, self-worth, selfish desires, selfishness, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Self-fulfillment is a fantasy (a recipe for misery)

Posted on May 25, 2016 by Steve Simms

Self-fulfillment is a fantasy. Our self-desires are never fully fulfilled. Self always seeks something more. Even when self gets what it wants and the “rights” that it demands, it immediately cries out for more. Self is continually discontented and constantly … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian spirituality, crucify yourself, deny yourself, desires, flesh, flowing in the Spirit, Follow Me, Galatians, Holy Spirit, human rights, I am crucified with Christ, in the Spirit, rights, Salvation Army, self, self-denial, self-destructive behaviors, self-discipline, self-focus, self-importance, self-indulgence, self-mastery, self-regulation, self-restraint, self-sacrifice, self-surrender, self-will, self-worth, selfish desires, selfishness, spiritual formation, spirituality, take up your cross, Train yourself unto godliness., Uncategorized, works of the flesh | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tattoos, Texting, Talk Radio, Polls, Piercings, Social Media, Reality TV & Other Self-Expression

Posted on October 11, 2014 by Steve Simms

In our contemporary culture of constant, clamoring self-expression (tattoos, texting, talk radio, opinion polls, piercings, social media, reality TV, etc.), there’s no reason Christ-followers shouldn’t courageously and continually express their faith in Christ! I LOVE JESUS! HE’S AWESOME! I WANT TO … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible quotes, contemporary culture, cultural taboos, culture, culture wars, deny yourself, evangelism, faith, faith in God, one another, one anothering, one anothers, opinion polls, quotation, quote, self, self-asscertion, self-denial, self-focus, self-improvement, self-promotion, self-surrender, selfishness, take up your cross | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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 … Continue reading →

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 | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

I Loved 1,400 Men At A Salvation Army ARC

Posted on March 1, 2014 by Steve Simms

When I was hired as the counselor/chaplain of The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) in Nashville in October of 2002, I had no idea that I would be working with about 1,400 men over the next 5 1/2 years … Continue reading →

Posted in cost of addiction, depression, drug abuse, freedom, heart, heart care, love, Love one another, loving men, recreational drugs, self-destruction, self-worth, selfish desires, selfishness, sex, sexual addiction | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Holidays: Preference, Orientation, & Freedom!

Posted on December 21, 2013 by Steve Simms

What is your holiday preference?  My holiday orientation is Christmas — celebrating the birth of the living, resurrected Jesus Christ! Christmas is Freedom Day — time for mental, emotional, and spiritual captives to be set free from their self-destructive thoughts, … Continue reading →

Posted in courage, Cyprus, He will save His people from their sins, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Maximos, narcissism, orientation, preference, quotation, quote, Quotes, self-focus, self-importance, self-indulgence, self-interest, self-will, selfish desires, selfishness, sin, sinner, sinning, sins, you shall call Him Jesus | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Deciding What To Do With Desires

Posted on June 27, 2013 by Steve Simms

Most people would agree that some human desires should be resisted (the desire to commit suicide, for instance).  However, how do you decide which human desires to obey and which to resist?  Here are some questions to ask: Is the … Continue reading →

Posted in accountability, approval, character, compliance, compromise, compulsion, contemporary society, cravings, debate, deceipt, decision-making, discipline, disrespect, family values, harmful habit, harmful thinking, holiness, Jesus, Jesus Christ, moral decision, moral failure, moral foundations, moral judgment, moral laws, moral leaders, moral principles, moral restraints, morals, New Testament, purity, respect, respect for life, results, right and wrong, right conduct, right from wrong, right living, righteousness, selfish desires, selfishness, society, suicide, virtues, world religions | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments