Devotionals from my Bible app: Selfish to Selfless (Philippians 2:3-5)

 Note before sharing the devotional: this - the topic of selfishness - is the other common reason, along with believing lies, as to why one might react and act emotionally rather than from a grounded place. Whether it's continuing to watch more YouTube videos chronicling the reaction (on both sides) of the election results last week, or even as simple as experiencing and receiving breakthroughs in my time with the Lord Jesus that, among other things, has been allowing me to connect with more of His Word again after often feeling repelled by various points brought up in it (in the midst of my aforementioned struggles in previous posts).

As a confession, one ugly thing that had been coming out of me in my prayer time was my own faulty conclusion that, because of my life appearing to be one struggle after another with rarely any real season of rest and refreshment, and somehow that it must all be my fault and no one else's, I must therefore be a vessel created for dishonor, after the following verse below:

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 2 Timothy 2:20, NKJV

The truth is, I was taking the verse out of context. As this book came up again more recently in my reading, God finally put that verse back in its proper context for me by also highlighting the next verse:

Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:21, NKJV

The above text, "if anyone cleanses himself from the latter," refers to a vessel created for dishonor vs a vessel created for honor. What is a vessel created for dishonor? you might ask. A few verses back, the text says:

Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 2 Timothy 2:14,16, NKJV

Additionally, and more pointedly, vessels created for dishonor will display the below fruits, from which one must be cleansed (by God, mind you, and not by our own strength) in order to become considered a vessel for honor:

For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 2 Timothy 3:2-5, NKJV

Although there are other similar spots in the Bible that have lists of good spiritual fruits vs bad spiritual fruits, this list is a good checklist for checking one's own heart. As I go through this list, I see that I still have many of these bad attributes and need to be cleaned by God Himself. My encouragement to you, though, if you are indeed in the faith, is this:

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9, NKJV

God does what He pleases. But what He pleases is to receive your repentance and save you, which he has already done through sacrificing the blood of His Son Jesus Christ on a cross for our sins, and in which He subsequently conquered death by raising Him up from the dead back to life. There is indeed hope, if you choose to believe in Jesus and in His blood atonement for your sins. You don't have to have it all together for God to bless your decision to receive Christ; but He will work to cleanse you from all unrighteousness, including selfishness.

Selfish to Selfless


Our default setting is selfishness.


Don’t believe it? Try hanging out with a toddler for a day.


Toddlers want what they want, and they want it now. Toddlers will fight (and sometimes bite) to maintain dominion over their prized possessions. Toddlers have little concern for schedules, agendas, or perfectly white walls.


The good news about toddlers—and people in general—is that they have the capacity to change into selfless people as they grow. But, if toddlers aren’t lovingly redirected and taught how to consider others, that selfishness will continue.


So if we’re naturally self-centered humans, how do we train our minds not to default to selfishness?


The Bible encourages us to model our lives after Jesus…


“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus…”
Philippians 2:3-5 NIV


Jesus didn’t leverage His authority for personal advantage—power, pleasure, control, or comfort—but took on the nature of a servant.


Jesus spent His time investing in others.
Jesus focused His attention on helping others.
Jesus gave up His own life for others.


If you find yourself becoming self-obsessed, self-indulgent, or even a little self-righteous, consider asking God for His help.


- Ask Him to help you see people the way He does.
- Ask Him to use any knowledge you gain to love Him and serve others.
- Ask Him to put opportunities in your path to lead others toward Him.


The Word of God, the Holy Spirit, and relationships with other believers are what refines our hearts. And with God’s help, we can change our tendency from living selfishly into living selflessly.

Prayer: Jesus, You show me what true humility looks like. You gave up everything to serve and save us. It's Your humble sacrifice that paved a way for me to experience fresh life. Thank You! Today, please replace pride with humility, and selfishness with selflessness. Change the way I think and act, and teach me to put others first in a healthy way that honors You. Amen.