Confession is good for the soul…but sometimes it’s hard to admit that deep within each of us lives a beast. That beast is called SELF and it wants to be noticed, nurtured, and is narcissistic to the core. Self wants to rule every part of our life and will do almost anything to maintain that control within its kingdom. Take a glimpse at some of the phrases centered around its little feifdom: Self-awareness, Self-control, Self-preservation, Self-defense, Self-sufficient, Self-restraint, Self-esteem, Self-taught.
When there is an imminent danger to Self, defenses are alerted and deterrents are deployed. Of course, if there is a physical threat, we will want to protect ourself. That is a natural response. However, dangers don’t have to be of a physical nature in order for self-preservation to kick into high gear.
Many times we may feel endangered by what someone says to us, and I’m not talking about a threat to our physical well-being. A person may be able to “take care of themselves” physically and ward off a bodily attack, but everyone is susceptible to those attacks which assault our character, morals, or beliefs and values. When those areas are assailed, we want to launch an immediate counterstrike and put the offender back on their heels. Self-control and self-restraint most likely go running out the back door!
It’s a tiresome and relentless job continually defending our “rights” and reputation and in that daily battle no one comes out of the arena unharmed. The question arises: do we HAVE to always be on the defensive? If we become so preoccupied with our own little kingdom of SELF, when do we have time to really live and enjoy those around us? There is an account in the Bible that may help to illuminate what we can do.
After King David had been momentarily deposed from the throne in Israel by his own son, Absalom, he, his men, and the people who went with him were physically assaulted and cursed by a man named Shimei. This man apparently didn’t agree with David’s political views and became enraged at the sight of him. “See, evil is upon you, for you are a man of blood.” (2 Samuel 16:8, ESV).
One of David’s military commanders wanted to exact justice on the spot by asking the deposed king if he could take off Shimei’s head. What would WE do, given the same circumstances? Physical attack: check. Attack on David’s character: check. There seems to be plenty of justification for a response. But we should take note of David’s response: “It may be that the LORD will look on the wrong done to me, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing today.” (2 Samuel 16:12, ESV)
Even when physically assaulted and assailed with very personal and cutting insults to his character, David considered the fact that God was the one who ultimately had his life in His hands. David didn’t exact revenge for this physical aggression and character assassination. He humbly accepted it as part of God’s plan.
It may be hard, but we need to ask God to help us keep the beast of Self in the cage and under His control and learn to trust Him in every area of our life.
