Selfish Manipulation
The opposite of caring for others is to be selfish and to manipulate people to do what you want them to do. I am sure this type of lifestyle could be fulfilling in a way, because you would think you were smart and important, since you could get people to do your will. However, it is a sad way to live.
First of all, being selfish causes us to only have a few friends. Nobody really wants to be friends with someone who only cares about himself. It is boring, and it leads to a one-sided relationship. Everything has to be just like the selfish person desires or there is trouble. That is frustrating, to say the least.
Then, there is the manipulation. Even if you can get someone to like you or help you by coercing them, what have you proved? Real love doesn't have to be forced. It is given freely, out of a willing heart. Isn't that what we long to have? We want someone to love us just because they want to, not because they have to.
All of this has a lot to do about our relationship with God, too. He wants us to focus on Him, not on us. Then, He wants us to submit to His will, not try to make Him do our will.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalm 43-45 and Acts 27:27-44.
First of all, being selfish causes us to only have a few friends. Nobody really wants to be friends with someone who only cares about himself. It is boring, and it leads to a one-sided relationship. Everything has to be just like the selfish person desires or there is trouble. That is frustrating, to say the least.
Then, there is the manipulation. Even if you can get someone to like you or help you by coercing them, what have you proved? Real love doesn't have to be forced. It is given freely, out of a willing heart. Isn't that what we long to have? We want someone to love us just because they want to, not because they have to.
All of this has a lot to do about our relationship with God, too. He wants us to focus on Him, not on us. Then, He wants us to submit to His will, not try to make Him do our will.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalm 43-45 and Acts 27:27-44.