CONTENT: Who is Sitting on the Throne of My Heart?

Self: a person or thing referred to with respect to complete individuality:

Selfish: devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others.

Deny oneself: to refrain from satisfying one's desires or needs; practice self-denial.

In a lesson that my husband was teaching to the children at church last night, he asked this question~

Who sits on the throne of your heart, Jesus or Self?

He proceeded to explain that “self” is……

a rebel

always selfish

easily offended

full of pride

thinking everyone else is wrong

going against what authority says

thinking of others before myself

Me, me me me 

When he first asked the question I thought, well Jesus sits on the throne of my heart. (uh, pride!) But, as he explained each thing that “self” is, I realized that “self” was sitting there most of the time. The more the lesson went on, the more I realized that I allow “self” to reign in my heart and rule the things in my life more than I do Christ. It's no wonder things in my life are a MESS!!! No wonder I have a hard time with being CONTENT!

Oh, I pray, read my Bible, learn scripture, go to church, Bible study, etc …..

But when I think of that list of what “self is”

I do rebel…. I am not always obedient to God’s word or what He calls me to do

I am selfish.... I like to control things… I can’t understand for the life of me, why some  people can’t act right??? (I know there are many of you that never feel that way)

I am offended when certain people don’t respond the way I think they should (see that I?)

I am prideful…. Just thinking that Christ sits on the throne of my heart is proof enough.

I don’t always put others before me…. I want to do things when I want, not at the expense of my time and I definitely don’t want to have to go out of my way (more & more I’s)

GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY of “SELF” trying to rule in my life.  

Soooooo… what am I going to do about it???

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Matthew 16:24

Now, I have heard this verse over & over. Our pastors have said it many many times. So it isn’t like I have heard it for the first time……

But you know how scripture can speak to you one way today and then in a different way the next time you read it. Don’t you LOVE how God’s word is ALIVE and how it can become ACTIVE if we will let it?

Deny oneself: to refrain from satisfying one's desires or needs; practice self-denial.

I need to learn how to say “NO” to self and not give in to it, no matter if it’s a prideful thought, a desire, a selfish act and say “YES” to allowing Christ to rule in every situation.

Take up my cross: Choose God’s will over my own. Christ was a servant and I am to strive to be more like Him so I should continually work towards having a servant’s heart.

I was reminded of this verse

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Matthew 6:24

Do I want “Self” or “Christ” to sit on the throne of my heart? Because they definitely cannot rule together.

Of course I want Christ, so that I may experience true JOY & PEACE in my life. 

JOY + PEACE = CONTENT!!

Things that I can do to put Christ in HIS rightful place:

Be obedient to His Word.

Set aside time each day to pray and dig into God's Word. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING!

Not only learn scripture, but know it and BELIEVE it!!

Pray for God to change my heart towards those that I have a hard time with.

Do right.

Honor God in all I say and do.

Let God lead and guide me in all I do.

Rejoice in the Lord ALWAY!

So, who is sitting on the throne of your heart?