“We are Addicted to Ourselves” (John Perkins)

Wednesday is for Prayer

I heard an arresting phrase from Dr. John Perkins yesterday. “We,” said the old warrior for the faith, “are addicted to ourselves.”

Isn’t this what Jesus was addressing when he told us that his disciples must live a completely different life?

Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV)
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Jesus knows that our “addiction to ourselves” is deep and destructive. It is at odds with our soul’s desperate need for Christ and must be constantly fought, must be constantly beaten into submission. That battle against our own addiction to our self-interest, to our own wants, desires and fallen nature is life-long. The addiction we fight is the bent of our nature and the war we find ourselves in never wanes.

“Lord Jesus, help me to fight the good fight of faith today.
Help me to fight it well. Help me to fight my own addiction to self and
instead, to be a vessel fit for your use. Help me to see with your eyes
and to respond with your compassion and patience in every situation.
Make me wise for your glory and because of your great promise to be
with me and all believers, even to the end of the age. Amen.”