Draw Near – 365 Guides to Greater Intimacy with GodSample

SELFISHNESS The second major cause for divorce, psychologists say, is obnoxious behavior. For example, divorces can be precipitated by excessive drinking, drug addiction, uncontrollable temper, moodiness, and unreasonable demands. Such behavior creates a climate of crisis which makes marriage difficult. These are all signs of selfishness; and God's Word calls them sins, not character weaknesses. Not long ago, an intensive study was made of one thousand married couples. After all the interviews, studies, and evaluations, ten major problems stood out. Unhappy partners (1) didn't think alike in many things, (2) had little insight into each other's feelings, (3) said things that hurt each other, (4) felt unloved, (5) felt they were taken for granted, (6) needed someone to confide in, (7) felt they had to give more than the other, (8) rarely complimented one another, (9) desired more affection, and (10) couldn't talk to one another. In reviewing these problems, it becomes obvious the mates were selfish. That's what sin really is: selfishness. All sin is selfishness, insisting on one's own way rather than walking in God's way. It is tragic but true that most enter marriage asking "What can I get out of it?" rather than "What can I give?" It is indeed difficult to live with a mate whose selfishness manifests itself in obnoxious behavior. Such a mate makes God's commandments hard to live by.