A Continuation from "The Cure for Entitlementitis" (Part 1)
If you have not done so already, go read the first article titled, "The Cure for Entitlementitis." It's a good read. From Part 1 we learned that "Entitlementitis" is the belief that one has “special inherent rights and privileges over everyone else and is constantly deserving of special treatment even at the expense of others without conscious.” One with “Entitlementitis” is blinded to the detrimental damage of their perpetual state of selfishness. In Part 1 we also touched upon the cure for Entitlementitis, which is to Create, Establish, and Sustain “Kindfulness!”
In Part 1 of "The Cure for Entitlementitis," we concluded that "Entitlementitis" cannot live and is not welcomed in a culture where people truly love one another and lift each other up above themselves. And, because of the potential "eternal" outcome, we drew the conclusion that it is very important that EVERYONE knows the truth (How to fight to win) about selfishness and freedom in Jesus.
"For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead." James 2:26
It’s real simple. The victory over Entitlementitis at Clearview (and in your home and business) will come forth through a culture of “love and unity.” Victory over entitlement will be found in our personal humility and through our corporate unity in the Spirit of Love.
Therefore, being armed with the truth is the first step to fighting entitlementitis. We recommend you start by reading and studying "The Book of James" found in your Holy Bible.
"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." James 1:2-5
We believe, to effectively fight entitlementitis one must master the Book of James, no doubt. If you study this book and master the truth within it, it will uniquely prepare you with the foundational truth to win the battle over entitlement. It's is almost impossible to practice the truth taught in James and be "entitled" at the same time.
"If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." James 1:26-27
Basically, what you'll learn from James is the truth that we have overcome "Entitlementitis," we now we are supposed to go help others to do the same!
The Book of James
To effectively fight Entitlementitis one must master the Book of James, no doubt. If you study this book and master the truth within it, it will uniquely prepare you with the foundational truth to win the battle over entitlement. Once you have overcome entitlement, you can help others to do the same.
"If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so, faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” James 2:15-18
The Book of James was a letter written to the “dispersed” Jewish believers who were constantly under attack. Interestingly, James was written by one of the “brothers” of Jesus. James did not follow his brother during Jesus’ earthly ministry. As a matter of fact, James opposed Jesus during his 3-year ministry, thinking Jesus was crazy. It wasn’t until James witnessed Jesus resurrected, alive from the dead did he become a believer.
"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." James 3:17
The important thing to know is that once James knew Jesus as resurrected Lord and King, James sacrificed everything to follow Him. Whereas before the resurrection, James wanted nothing to do with Jesus. I think James more than qualified his authority and value, so therefore, you would do well to study the book of James and apply the truths therein.
"Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." James 4:6
A Powerful Example From the Book of James
"This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." James 1:19-26
What “word” is James referring to? Quick to hear whom? Whom are we to hear from, and who is it we are to follow as we become “doers of the word”?
The Letter to the Philippians - The Focus is JOY!
Paul’s Letter to the Philippians was all about joy and thankfulness and gratefulness. Unlike interactions with other churches, Paul was very encouraging to Philippians. Paul was encouraged by their genuine concern and love for him, as well as their faithfulness in living the truth of the Gospel.
In Philippians, Paul teaches us the JOY of the Lord should rule our lives, regardless of circumstances." The most remarkable fact revealed in Paul's Letter to the Philippians is the fact he was a prisoner in Rome when he wrote it (A.D. 62)
Based on what Paul taught to the people of Phillipi, to fight Entitlementitis we highly recommend you study and read the entire Letter to the Philippians. Philippians is known as the letter of Joy. Like the Letter from James to the dispersed Jews, the Letter to the Philippians is short, just 4 chapters. However, like James, the Letter to the Philippians is extremely powerful. Both letters, James and Philippians are impactful and can be read in 20 minutes less.
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9
The Apostle Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians as an encouragement to the leadership. The Philippians were experiencing a lot of opposition and hardship, yet Paul taught them to respond with humility and perseverance and to consider it all joy when facing trials, and to always respond to criticism and attacks with love.
"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
At the time Paul wrote the Letter to the Philippians he was in prison and he was not experiencing anything close to joy. Essentially, in the letter to the Philippians Paul taught that Jesus humbled himself even to the point of death for the sake of others. Paul found "contentment in Christ" to be much more rewarding
"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." Philippians 2:3-4
The Biblical Example of "Servant Leadership" & the Outward Mindset (John Chapters 13-17)
Why John, why chapters 13 to 17? Why are these Scriptures so important to fighting Entitlementitis? Simple... as far as we are concerned, these 5 chapters are the best example of servanthood, self-sacrifice, and living with an outward mindset.
As we have stated so many times before, Jesus was a radical in His day. Back in Jesus' day, no one went around teaching the principles of outward-mindedness, no one, EVER. It was quite the opposite! Up until Jesus, mankind taught that the inward-driven man not only survived but thrived, and all others failed and died.
Up until Jesus, all of the greatest leaders were clearly out for themselves, and they all taught that lie. They lived by that lie. Up until Jesus, the lie was the norm, and "love" for others was not even a concept.
What is important about these 5 chapters as they relate to the Cure for Entitlementitis? Why are these 5 chapters especially important to the staff at Clearview, and why is it critical to know these specific chapters of the Bible? We will answer these questions with one simple answer, "they best represent the selfless and self-sacrificial leadership of Jesus!"
Yes, Jesus was a leader. As a matter of fact, Jesus is the Supreme Head of the Church, which is His Body. Jesus is the risen Lord and leader of a church of billions and billions and billions of people. And, Jesus gave ALL His leaders THE EXAMPLE to follow. Through chapters 13 to 17 of John as final instructions to His disciples and then offered up a priestly prayer for ALL His people days before being crucified and risen.
Therefore, it would go to reason that ALL leaders would benefit by thoroughly studying the Book of John, chapters 13 to 17, even memorizing them if necessary.
John chapter 13 opens up with the "Feast of the Passover," forever representing the last Passover, better known as "The Lord's Supper." Jesus also washes the disciple's feet, leaving us explicit instructions on leadership and servanthood, how they are one and the same.
"So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. John 13:12-17
Ephesians & Colossians
Corporate Response to Entitlement
Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21
Learn to Listen. Be present with the Spirit of God. Listen. (Hebrews Chapter 5)
Choose your battles wisely. Don’t speak unless you must. (“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage battle according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-6)
Stop division before it starts: Seek Grace, and always seek to be filled with Grace, especially when tired, or when you’re fending off attacks from anger, doubt, hate, depression, anxiety, doubt, and fear - seek “Grace” even more. ("Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands." Acts 14:3)
Be Patient - Be Peace: Live “in peace” with all people. Learn to be quiet, learn to be relaxed, and learn to be empathetic - learn to be outward-minded. ("Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone." Romans 12:18)
Be Humble and let God work. Seek to see everyone through God’s heart. Be willing to learn from everyone. ("We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. You are looking at things as they are outward. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we." 2 Corinthians 10:5-7)
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Remember, “this too will pass.” ("And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7)
Let others be right. Life is a test of love and of humility. Pass the test of love every day. ("Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;" Philippians 2:3)
Truly listen beyond the words. Don’t interrupt others or finish their sentences.
Learn to listen to others with the Holy Spirit. Every conversation you have with others includes at least three people. You, the person you are speaking to, and the Holy Spirit. Always listen with your spiritual ears, seek to hear “what is being said, and what is not being said.” (“Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer." 2 Corinthians 5:16)
Let others have the glory. Point all glory to God, but let other’s know their contribution and be thankful. ("Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment." 1 Corinthians 1:10)
Never rely on others for your sense of wellbeing. Do not seek the approval of man, but of God alone. ("Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man." Luke 6:22)
You have authority, so exercise it. You live comfortably in the eye of the storm because you are truly comfortable there. You are one with God’s spirit and you know you have overcome “entitlementitis,” and now you have the cure. ("And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep." Matthew 8:24)
You are the example. You have the way… the example for everyone else to follow. ("Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." " John 14:6)
“Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” (Luke 9:1)
“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19)
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