We all have ego's, check your pulse, if you got one, you got an ego, but just like anything else, if you let your ego get out of control it's going to control you and guide you and not in a positive way.
Dictionary.com defines ego as: the “I” or self of any person; a person as thinking, feeling, and willing, and distinguishing itself from the selves of others and from objects of its thought.
I know there are those out there that have little ego's, or low self-esteem, yet ego, is something we all must deal with, especially if we want to grow and be effective in our christian faith. There is no room for ego in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Scripture teaches us (Gal. 6:14) that the only boasting we are to do is in Jesus Christ.
Church is just like any other organization(school, work, sports teams, social groups, etc...) people want to be in the limelight, get the credit, and have there ego's stroked! That's not saying there aren't people serving in sincerity, there are, but yes, even in churches, yes even preachers, leaders, etc...some are doing it for the wrong reasons to get glory, to be seen, to feel important, and though it's in the church, everything we say, do, and whatever capacity we serve in, it HAS TO BE for God's Glory, to in worship Him, and to honor Him or it's in vain and we've missed the point of serving/leading.
We all need encouragement, we all need someone to notice us from time to time, and we all need the human touch factor. We are relational beings and were created for relationships. However, whether we are preaching, singing, teacher, serving, leading, or whatever the capacity we are serving in, our ultimate motive should be to please God, be used by Him, and Him to get the credit, & the glory.
If you do something for God and you get mad no one notices, or you have to go around constantly remiding people what you did or are doing, chances are great your doing it for you and not Him. If you get a high from singing or preaching on the stage and like the attention to the ponit where your head is bigger than the door you entered through chances are your using your gifts for your ego and not His kingdom!
There is a fine line between humility and pride. We must always pay attention to our motives, our attitude, and or intentions, or Satan can easily convince us its about us and not Him. If you know the story of Satan, you know He felt the same way. He got tired of God getting the praise and glory and He wanted it for himself, so then Lucifer the angel rebelled and was kicked out of heaven along with many angels because their ego took on a life of it's own.
God gifts us in many ways. Some of us it's singing, some it's preaching, some it's teaching, some it's leading, and others it's serving or encouraging. No matter the gifts, God gave us those gifts to use for Him, not ourselves.
You may get pats on the back, you may get the praise of men, even make a good living in the service of God, but if He is not the motivation, the reason, and the one who you seek to give the credit, then you have recieved your reward in full.
If God gifted you to preach, then preach, but don't preach because you are insecure, selfish, or power hungry. Preach because people need to hear the Word and God called you. If you have the talent of singing, then sing your heart out for Jesus, don't sing to hear your own voice, or because you like the stage, the lights, and the attention music brings. If you are gifted to lead, lead because God called you to lead, not because you like the title or power or control. If you teach or work with the kids/youth, do it because God desires you to teach people and influence them for you, not because you like feeling important to those listening!
Ego is tempting, but like the bible says, we can overcome any temptation with God. Don't let you ego get the best of you. Do it for God or not at all. Keep yourslelf in check, help people keep you accountable, and do Let go of your Ego!
Philippians 2:3-4(NIV)
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
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