Right Between the Eyes
The words hit me right between the eyes while reading Day 32 of The Passion Code.
"The first evidence of this demise (the fall from the garden) came when Adam and Eve saw 'that they were naked' (Genesis 3:7). They had been naked all along, but not until sin came did they take their eyes off God and put them on themselves. This is alway what sin does. Before, God had been the center of their attention and devotion. Sin entered the picture, and their focus became centered squarely upon themselves." O.S Hawkins
The addictive quality of social media makes me go nutty at times. When I need to go on to look someone up (the church snoop) the temptation to keep scrolling is a real pull. I praise the Lord that the majority of my life was lived before the cell phone became an appendage. Admittedly, I was spoiled and had a pink trimline landline in my bedroom and didn't have to stand in the hallway or kitchen like our six children did to take a phone call.
The algorithms used on our cells phones plug right into our wants and desires. It's all about self-gratification.
Looking up definitions for self-gratification a couple that popped up were..."the indulgence or satisfaction of one's own desires...the act of pleasing oneself."
Below those definitions was a link to a psychiatric hospital, GIPS Hospital and an article about self-gratification.
"Self-gratification can lead to an unhealthy focus on one's own needs and desires, which can lead to a lack of consideration for the needs and wants of others. It can lead to an inability to delay gratification, which can lead to impulsive behavior and poor decision-making."
God's Word is full of wise advice and instruction that is for our benefit. Listen to the words in Philippians 2:3-4
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Let's pray:
Lord, You are seated on Your throne with glorious purposes and plans for us this very day. Give us eyes to look up to You and listen, which in turn will cause our hearts to look out to a world in need. Guide us and strengthen us to serve others according to Your plans, treating everyone with love and respect. When living this way the selfishness which festers within will fade and be replaced with joy. In Jesus' name, Amen.
The Song
"Made For More "Josh Baldwin, Jenn Johnson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov9Ls4npIrc
