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Resources for Biblical Living
Selfishness, From Loving Yourself to Loving Your Neighbor (Resources for Biblical Living) by Lou Priolo (2012) Paperback
There are few people more full of love than someone who is completely selfish. The problem is, all of this love is directed inward, and none of it reaches out!Selfishness, Lou Priolo asserts, is "the mother of all sins." When you love yourself more than others and more than God, nothing that will help you get ahead is lying, cheating, stealing, manipulating . . .Here you will learn not only how to demolish this foundation of sin, but also how to replace it with a new, biblical foundation of selfless, godly love—turning your love inside out.The Resources for Biblical Living booklet series addresses a wide range of practical life issues in a straightforward, down-to-earth, and, most of all, biblical manner.
Paperback
First published September 28, 2010
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About the author
Lou Priolo
63 books45 followersLOU PRIOLO is the Director of Biblical Counseling at Eastwood Presbyterian Church in Montgomery, Alabama. A graduate of Calvary Bible College and Liberty University, he is the author of The Heart of Anger , and The Complete Husband. Lou is also a Fellow in the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors. He resides in Wetumpka, Alabama with his wife, Kim, and daughters, Sophia and Gabriella.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 8, 2022
Biblical, practical advice on battling selfishness by replacing self-love with love for God and neighbor.
Notes
Selfishness defined
Selfishness is lack (or opposite) of biblical love, the essence of which is giving without a selfish primary motive (Eph 5:2, 25; Jn 3:16; Gal 2:20; Mt 5:43-44; Pro 25:21; 1 Cor 13:3).
The more you love God and neighbor, the less selfish (sinful) you'll be (Mt 22:35-40).
Selfishness is superimposing your will on God's; being self-willed (Titus 1:7).
Be willing to submit your interests and desires to God (Ps 40:7-8; Lk 22:42).
How to overcome selfishness
Understand horrific nature and broad scope of selfishness (Jas 3:14-16).
Consider God's attributes (omniscience, omnipotence, wisdom, sovereignty, etc.) and remind yourself often how much more qualified He is than you to govern your life.
Consider that God has saved you to conform you to Christ's image, a purpose far better than you'd have for yourself.
Comprehend Christ's love for you so that it conquers your self-love, and make it your goal to show His love to others (2 Cor 5:14; Eph 3:17-19; Rom 5:5).
Memorize verses about self-love and its antidote, agape love (1 Cor 13; Lk 6:31-35; Jn 15:7-15; Rom 12:9-10; 15:1-3; 1 Cor 10:24, 31, 33; 2 Cor 8:9; Phil 2:1-22; Jas 2:15-16).
Meditate on how you ought to demonstrate love for God and neighbor (1 Cor 13:4-7). Choose 1-2 closest people in your life and write 4-5 specific ways you can show love to them. Do 2-3 every day.
Make decisions considering how decision will benefit others and most glorify God (Phil 2:3-4).
Don't let fear prevent you from obeying God; cast fear out by replacing it with love (1 Jn 4:18).
Study examples of Christ's sacrificial love (2 Cor 8:9; Rom 5:6-8; 1 Jn 4:19; Jn 3:16; 15:13; Eph 5:2; Mt 20:28).
Be a giver, not a taker (Acts 20:35). Each day, prayerfully consider what to give that you've been selfishly keeping to yourself (time, money, talents, food, home, amusements, affection, communication, etc.).
Follow Rev 2:1-5: remember what you did when you were in love with Christ, repent of lack of love, do what Bible says love does.
List people you've been selfish toward, list their needs, list how you can use your resources to meet their needs and show genuine love to them (Lk 19:8).
Recommended: A Treatise of Self-Denial by Richard Baxter, A Treatise of Self-Denial by Thomas Manton.
Notes
Selfishness defined
Selfishness is lack (or opposite) of biblical love, the essence of which is giving without a selfish primary motive (Eph 5:2, 25; Jn 3:16; Gal 2:20; Mt 5:43-44; Pro 25:21; 1 Cor 13:3).
The more you love God and neighbor, the less selfish (sinful) you'll be (Mt 22:35-40).
Selfishness is superimposing your will on God's; being self-willed (Titus 1:7).
Be willing to submit your interests and desires to God (Ps 40:7-8; Lk 22:42).
How to overcome selfishness
Understand horrific nature and broad scope of selfishness (Jas 3:14-16).
Consider God's attributes (omniscience, omnipotence, wisdom, sovereignty, etc.) and remind yourself often how much more qualified He is than you to govern your life.
Consider that God has saved you to conform you to Christ's image, a purpose far better than you'd have for yourself.
Comprehend Christ's love for you so that it conquers your self-love, and make it your goal to show His love to others (2 Cor 5:14; Eph 3:17-19; Rom 5:5).
Memorize verses about self-love and its antidote, agape love (1 Cor 13; Lk 6:31-35; Jn 15:7-15; Rom 12:9-10; 15:1-3; 1 Cor 10:24, 31, 33; 2 Cor 8:9; Phil 2:1-22; Jas 2:15-16).
Meditate on how you ought to demonstrate love for God and neighbor (1 Cor 13:4-7). Choose 1-2 closest people in your life and write 4-5 specific ways you can show love to them. Do 2-3 every day.
Make decisions considering how decision will benefit others and most glorify God (Phil 2:3-4).
Don't let fear prevent you from obeying God; cast fear out by replacing it with love (1 Jn 4:18).
Study examples of Christ's sacrificial love (2 Cor 8:9; Rom 5:6-8; 1 Jn 4:19; Jn 3:16; 15:13; Eph 5:2; Mt 20:28).
Be a giver, not a taker (Acts 20:35). Each day, prayerfully consider what to give that you've been selfishly keeping to yourself (time, money, talents, food, home, amusements, affection, communication, etc.).
Follow Rev 2:1-5: remember what you did when you were in love with Christ, repent of lack of love, do what Bible says love does.
List people you've been selfish toward, list their needs, list how you can use your resources to meet their needs and show genuine love to them (Lk 19:8).
Recommended: A Treatise of Self-Denial by Richard Baxter, A Treatise of Self-Denial by Thomas Manton.
March 3, 2020
The Bible verses referenced to support the author's view that Christians should not be selfish, but rather love others and bear their burdens, were more than sufficient.
However, the glaring problem with this booklet is the author's extensive quotes & paraphrases from Richard Baxter's "Practical Works." From theopedia.com:
"Neonomianism in Christian theology, literally meaning "new law," is the doctrine that the Gospel presents a new law, the requirements of which are faith and repentance. This view is most often associated with the theology of Richard Baxter (1615-1691).
Opponents believe neonomianism changes the free Gospel offer into an understanding of salvation by works; i.e., humanity is not saved by Christ but by their obedience to Christ through their faith and repentance."
Since neonomianism has an insufficient view of the work of Christ's atonement, Baxter's theological views must be held to scrutiny & considered heretical to the true tenets of Christianity that the person and work of Jesus Christ is sufficient for all who believe. Salvation is by faith alone in Jesus.
In this booklet, the author legitimizes Baxter's writing by his widespread citations & may cause his readers to stumble if they decide to read and study other works of Richard Baxter. Since the author makes no caveat regarding Baxter's unorthodox views, I cannot recommend this booklet.
However, the glaring problem with this booklet is the author's extensive quotes & paraphrases from Richard Baxter's "Practical Works." From theopedia.com:
"Neonomianism in Christian theology, literally meaning "new law," is the doctrine that the Gospel presents a new law, the requirements of which are faith and repentance. This view is most often associated with the theology of Richard Baxter (1615-1691).
Opponents believe neonomianism changes the free Gospel offer into an understanding of salvation by works; i.e., humanity is not saved by Christ but by their obedience to Christ through their faith and repentance."
Since neonomianism has an insufficient view of the work of Christ's atonement, Baxter's theological views must be held to scrutiny & considered heretical to the true tenets of Christianity that the person and work of Jesus Christ is sufficient for all who believe. Salvation is by faith alone in Jesus.
In this booklet, the author legitimizes Baxter's writing by his widespread citations & may cause his readers to stumble if they decide to read and study other works of Richard Baxter. Since the author makes no caveat regarding Baxter's unorthodox views, I cannot recommend this booklet.
March 23, 2023
Not quite what I expected. The Biblical teachings are solid, but the author overly relied on dated, stilted sources.
Size/brevity …
Pros: quick reference, could read in single sitting but don’t have to, so it’s not intimidating
Cons: to achieve its “pocket size” objective some valuable context did not make it in
Overall, the Bible is the ultimate authority. This supplemental text is great to pull meaningful chunks from rather than read from cover to cover or cite Baxter as an authority.
Size/brevity …
Pros: quick reference, could read in single sitting but don’t have to, so it’s not intimidating
Cons: to achieve its “pocket size” objective some valuable context did not make it in
Overall, the Bible is the ultimate authority. This supplemental text is great to pull meaningful chunks from rather than read from cover to cover or cite Baxter as an authority.
March 25, 2024
I do not agree with the ACBC method and organization. This guide was just okay.
January 30, 2013
Fantastically helpful little study of the roots of selfishness, the gospel's remedy for selfishness, and very practical ways to engage in the means of grace to battle selfishness. Highly recommend for pastors to use in counseling.
January 28, 2013
Practical.
April 6, 2017
If I could score higher than a 5 I would! This booklets are great to use in counseling or in small study groups. I read them for myself several times a year!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews