· Self centeredness is when the only person that you worry about is yourself.
· All of your decisions are based upon what’s good for you and what you want.
· James tells us about the symptoms, the source, and the salve for self centeredness.

I. James describes the symptoms of self centeredness in the lives of believers.

A. Self centeredness leads to disagreements. (v. 1)
· “Wars” and “fightings” are plural, suggesting ongoing conflict rather than a one-time event
· Don’t know specifically what they were fighting about, but James indicates that the disagreements centered around pleasing themselves.
· Greek for “lusts” is the word that we get our word “hedonism” from; means a desire for pleasure and the things that cause it
· Jesus used this word in the parable of the sower and the seed when He described how the cares and riches and pleasures of this life   choke the life out of the Word’s influence in our lives
· Some churches are fighting over Bible version, type of music, dress; all based on personal preferences.

B. Self centeredness leads to relying upon one’s self. (v. 2)
· James points out to these believers that they had stopped relying upon God to answer their prayers, and that they had been trying to make things happen all by themselves.
· Suggests that they were guilty of murder because of their self centeredness.
· Matthew 5:21, 22 “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment:”
· In spite of all the hurt and turmoil that had been caused by their self centeredness, they still didn’t get their way.

C. Self centeredness leads to an improper prayer life. (v. 3)
· Some had even dared to ask God to fulfill their selfish desires, but God said “No” because of the attitude of their hearts.
· 1 John 3:22 “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”
· 1 John 5:14, 15 “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
· God wants us to bring our needs to him, but these people were trying to outdo one another, and were going to use God’s blessings to hurt others and to get their way

II. James ascribes the source of self centeredness in the lives of believers.

A. Self centeredness is caused by rebellion against God. (v. 4)
· James accuses these believers with deliberately siding with the world in order to get what they wanted.
· God wasn’t going to answer their prayers; they had no where else to turn.
· This is what made Lucifer fall – he was proud and self centered, and rebelled against God in order to get his way.
· How many people do you know that didn’t get their way in a church and turned their back on God as a result?
· “I don’t agree with how the church is being ran…I won’t pay my tithes.”
· “They voted against my motion, so I’m going to get as many people as I can to vote against theirs.”

B. Self centeredness is caused by left-over remnants of our old nature. (v. 5)
· These believers were clearly walking after the flesh instead of the Spirit.
· Galatians 5:15 – 17 “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”
· Paul mentions 17 works of the flesh, including hatred, variance (disagreements), strife (fighting and quarrelling), sedition (inciting a rebellion), envying, and murder.

C. Self centeredness is caused by spiritual weakness. (v. 6)
· Why do we need more grace, because we can’t overcome these things by ourselves.
· When you try to live your Christian life by your own power, you will fall prey to the inclinations of your flesh – ask God for His power to overcome these things.

III. James prescribes the salve for self centeredness in the lives of believers.

A. Self centeredness can be cured by submitting to God. (v. 7)
· If you have cancer, you must be willing to allow the doctor to treat it.
· That means following his instructions, putting aside your own thoughts and remedies, giving him control to do what he must.
· You need to turn control over to God and allow Him to overcome this sin in your life. Don’t try to figure it out and deal with it yourself – it hasn’t worked so far has it?
· Stop and ask, “God, what do YOU want in my life?”

B. Self centeredness can be cured by resisting the devil. (v. 7)
· Sometimes a disease is treated by avoiding certain things.
· For some people, diabetes can be controlled by avoiding certain foods.
· When satan tempts you to stand up for your rights and take what is yours, resist him by turning around and walking away.
· Don’t give that person a piece of your mind – you need all that you can get.
· Avoid situations that cause you to be proud and arrogant.

C. Self centeredness can be cured by prioritizing one’s commitment to God. (v. 8)
· A person that is sick won’t get any better if he keeps going from one doctor to the next.
· A person that is sick won’t get any better if he is not committed to getting better.
· If you want to stop being self centered, you must put Jesus on the throne of your heart and be committed to your relationship with Him.
· Involves prayer, Bible study, church attendance, giving, worship.

D. Self centeredness can be cured by cleansing one’s self. (v. 8)
· Notice two areas of purification: Hands (actions) and Heart (attitudes)
· Start by doing things that will help and benefit others instead of yourself.
· Make sacrifices in order to be a blessing to someone else.
· Put off buying that new dress so that you can buy groceries for that hungry family down the road.
· Question your motives in all that you do. Is it for His glory, or mine?
· Do things secretly so that God will receive the glory.

E. Self centeredness can be cured by humbling one’s self. (v. 10)

· Already talked about humbling ourselves to God…this is referring to humbling ourselves before our brothers and sisters.
· Be willing to admit that you were wrong or that they had a better idea than you.
· Be willing to see other people’s viewpoints and reasons for doing things.
· Support others even when you don’t get your way.
· Disagree agreeably.

Conclusion:
· The first step in curing any disease is to accept the fact that you are sick. (v. 9)
· Do you have the symptoms? (Disagreements with others, relying upon yourself, improper prayer life)
· Do you recognize the source? (Rebellion, old nature, spiritual weakness)
· Are you willing to be treated with the salve of the Scripture? (Submit to God, resist the devil, make your commitment to God a priority, cleanse your actions and attitudes, humble yourself before others)