| www.overcomingself.net |
Why This Website?
1. To be boldly Christ-centered and Bible-based.
2. To help self deal with any impediments from connecting with God. To be a follower of
Christ, the Bible way, is a matter of overcoming self.
Christ, the Bible way, is a matter of overcoming self.
3. Overcoming Self is not directly for scholarship, moral counseling, or politics. However,
such matters always do have a part, and do have their place. Such matters are covered in
other web sites.
such matters always do have a part, and do have their place. Such matters are covered in
other web sites.
4. To mirror and focus on the different factors which could distract human nature from
partaking of the divine nature. "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious
promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the
corruption that is in the world through lust", 2 Peter 1:4.
partaking of the divine nature. "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious
promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the
corruption that is in the world through lust", 2 Peter 1:4.
5. To shed carnal pounds, and build spiritual muscle, by exercising unto holiness and
godliness. "But refuse profane and old wives' fable, and exercise thyself rather unto
godliness", 1 Timothy 4:7 (compare 1 Thessalonians 4:7 and Hebrews 5:14).
godliness. "But refuse profane and old wives' fable, and exercise thyself rather unto
godliness", 1 Timothy 4:7 (compare 1 Thessalonians 4:7 and Hebrews 5:14).
What is meant by "Self"?
To be "Overcoming Self" means to be a conqueror (Romans 8:37) of one's own selfish
pride. It is self-centered pride (Proverbs 29:23) which prevents a soul from being ready and
willing to obey God. It is the selfishness and self-centered pride of "self" that blocks out
obedience to Christ. Yes, children of God do have personalities that are unique. For
example, the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus had different talents and temperaments. But
when Jesus got finished with them (except for Judas Iscariot) they had overcome their
clumsy selfish ambitions and were ready to work their unique talents for the Savior, "with
one mind," Philippians 1:27.
pride. It is self-centered pride (Proverbs 29:23) which prevents a soul from being ready and
willing to obey God. It is the selfishness and self-centered pride of "self" that blocks out
obedience to Christ. Yes, children of God do have personalities that are unique. For
example, the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus had different talents and temperaments. But
when Jesus got finished with them (except for Judas Iscariot) they had overcome their
clumsy selfish ambitions and were ready to work their unique talents for the Savior, "with
one mind," Philippians 1:27.
Pride is: the vain thinking when people falsely pretend to know God's will when they do not;
or think that their way is as good or better; or think that they do not need God (see 1 Timothy
6:3-6 and James 4:6-10); or say there is no God (Psalm 14:1). As shown in Matthew 23,
some of the worst cases of sinful pride can be seen among the falsely religious, who
presume to go before others "in God's name." Finally, when it comes to religious terror by
the proud, immature, or brainwashed, consider John 16:2 and 1 Peter 3:12-16 (and also
lesson #28 Terror).
or think that their way is as good or better; or think that they do not need God (see 1 Timothy
6:3-6 and James 4:6-10); or say there is no God (Psalm 14:1). As shown in Matthew 23,
some of the worst cases of sinful pride can be seen among the falsely religious, who
presume to go before others "in God's name." Finally, when it comes to religious terror by
the proud, immature, or brainwashed, consider John 16:2 and 1 Peter 3:12-16 (and also
lesson #28 Terror).
Put off the Old. In Colossians 3:9, followers of Christ are told not to lie to each other,
since they have "put off" the "old man" with his deeds. So the "self" here means that old
sinful self that must be forsaken, for the sake of truth in the sight of God. In fact "crucified"
(Galations 2:20) and killed "dead" (Romans 6:6-11) is what our old man self is to be. This
is completed after being "buried" with Christ in baptism (Romans 6:3-5). This baptism also
is to "put on Christ," Galatians 3:27.
since they have "put off" the "old man" with his deeds. So the "self" here means that old
sinful self that must be forsaken, for the sake of truth in the sight of God. In fact "crucified"
(Galations 2:20) and killed "dead" (Romans 6:6-11) is what our old man self is to be. This
is completed after being "buried" with Christ in baptism (Romans 6:3-5). This baptism also
is to "put on Christ," Galatians 3:27.
Put on the New. Then in Colossians 3:10 it says to "put on the new man" which is
"renewed" in knowledge. Likewise, after baptism into the death of Christ, Romans 6:4-5
says the Christian should walk (live) in "newness" of life. This new life shall be "in the
likeness of His resurrection." 2 Corinthians 5:17 says that one who is thus "in Christ" is a
"new creature." Because "old things are passed away," therefore "all things are become
new." A new understanding (Ephesians 5:17), new relation to Christ (Romans 8:1-2), new
worship in truth (John 4:24), new true religion (1 John 4:1-6; James 1:22-27), new friends
(John 15:14), and new hope - heaven (Hebrews 11:16; Titus 1:2).
"renewed" in knowledge. Likewise, after baptism into the death of Christ, Romans 6:4-5
says the Christian should walk (live) in "newness" of life. This new life shall be "in the
likeness of His resurrection." 2 Corinthians 5:17 says that one who is thus "in Christ" is a
"new creature." Because "old things are passed away," therefore "all things are become
new." A new understanding (Ephesians 5:17), new relation to Christ (Romans 8:1-2), new
worship in truth (John 4:24), new true religion (1 John 4:1-6; James 1:22-27), new friends
(John 15:14), and new hope - heaven (Hebrews 11:16; Titus 1:2).
| This new self, this revolutionized and all-consuming change of mind and life, to prepare to go to heaven, is why this website. |
Overcoming Self. Psalm 36:2 exposes the need to overcome self: "For he [the
wicked] flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful." A
person who has overcome self will gladly acknowledge where he has been ignorant, or
lacking in knowledge. They will be willing to hear and "increase in learning" (Proverbs
9:8-10). In Acts 2:36-42, some 3000 people "gladly received" the word of truth, then
obeyed. They had just been told that they had been crucifiers of Christ, Acts 2:23,36. Now,
it was time for them to "crucify self," to overcome self and obey Christ. Question: Just
what did they obey? Answer: the pristine gospel of Christ; pure gospel teaching of one body,
before Satan had filled mankind to confuse, corrupt, dilute, double talk, and sectarianize
(then blame it on Jesus).
wicked] flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful." A
person who has overcome self will gladly acknowledge where he has been ignorant, or
lacking in knowledge. They will be willing to hear and "increase in learning" (Proverbs
9:8-10). In Acts 2:36-42, some 3000 people "gladly received" the word of truth, then
obeyed. They had just been told that they had been crucifiers of Christ, Acts 2:23,36. Now,
it was time for them to "crucify self," to overcome self and obey Christ. Question: Just
what did they obey? Answer: the pristine gospel of Christ; pure gospel teaching of one body,
before Satan had filled mankind to confuse, corrupt, dilute, double talk, and sectarianize
(then blame it on Jesus).
The Bible gives examples of people who overcame self. To look at some, click on their
names which follow. SELF OVERCOMERS: John the forerunner of Christ Apollos
woman of Canaan woman of Samaria Paul Mary the mother of Jesus
names which follow. SELF OVERCOMERS: John the forerunner of Christ Apollos
woman of Canaan woman of Samaria Paul Mary the mother of Jesus
Recent Updates to this Site: (remodel) 6-24-11 15-perfect 12-27-11 bio 1-28-12 01-inertia 1-30-12
| "Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you." Romans 16:16 |
| This website is not affiliated with any one or any thing other than myself. Bible quotations are from King James, and where noted a few other translations. To find out more, you may click on the Navigation buttons. Thank you for visiting. -Gratz Brown, a minister in the church of Christ. |
| www.overcomingself.net |
Focus Page
© 2005-2012 Gratz Brown
What is meant by "Self"?
OvercomingSelf.net supports
obedience to Jesus by helping
overcome selfishness and
spiritual blindness and vainglory.
obedience to Jesus by helping
overcome selfishness and
spiritual blindness and vainglory.
| "I am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." - Jesus (John 8:12) |
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