DO YOU KNOW THAT THE REAL OPPOSITE OF LOVE IS SELFISHNESS?

 By Adedoja Adewale

All the days of your life, you've known that Hatred is the opposite of Love. Welcome to a different point of view. Hatred is borne out of selfishness. So maybe it isn't really an antonym of Love. The flesh is selfish. It loves to be revered, it demands respect. Everything that it thinks of doing is for its own benefit. Many times, people want to be rich so that they won't have to suffer again. They get angry when insulted because they think they deserve to be treated better. They  want to have children so that they won't be looked down on. You are naturally selfish. If the spirit of God does not dwell within you, you continue to be. Your desires must be dead. 1 Corinthians 15:3-NKJV: I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. In truth, it is only when we allow the love of God to live in us that they can be. 1 John 2:5-But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

Love is selfless. Jesus proved this to us when he submitted himself unto death. There has been no greater definition of love. Selflessness. John.3.16 and Philippians.2.7-8.

When you are filled with the Holy Ghost, apart from speaking in tongues and other physical evidences, there must be behavioural changes too. Your mindset must be turned around. Then you must be filled with the fruits of the spirit. Every single one of them. As a matter of fact, when you study these fruits carefully, you discover that they are all a result of one fruit-Love. The same way the fruits of the flesh are a result of selfishness. Galatians 5:19-NKJV: Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,..... It continues to verse 21

Submit yourself to God and allow him to transform your mind. Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Let him renew your mind and cause you to stop thinking about yourself alone.

Philippians 1:21- For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Paul said this because of the overwhelming love that he has. Frankly speaking, the only joy he will derive from living is that of soul winning. It appears more profitable to die and be with the Father.

 Selfishness is not to be desired by anybody. When you discover it, do away with it. When it is allowed to stay a little longer, its roots become stronger and then it becomes difficult to get away.

The world is in turmoil because people are selfish. We protect only our interests. Until we leave the other side of selfishness and cross to the part of love, we do not know God. Because God is love.