100 Bible Verses about Selfish People

2 Timothy 3:2 ESV / 154 helpful votes

For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

James 3:16-17 ESV / 122 helpful votes

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

Psalm 119:36 ESV / 115 helpful votes

Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!

James 3:13-15 ESV / 91 helpful votes

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

Romans 2:8 ESV / 81 helpful votes

But for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.

Romans 15:1-2 ESV / 78 helpful votes

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 ESV / 76 helpful votes

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;

Philippians 2:1-4 ESV / 74 helpful votes

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

James 3:16 ESV / 70 helpful votes

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

Proverbs 18:1 ESV / 69 helpful votes

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.

Philippians 2:21 ESV / 60 helpful votes

For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 5:19-25 ESV / 57 helpful votes

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ...

Isaiah 56:11 ESV / 47 helpful votes

The dogs have a mighty appetite; they never have enough. But they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain, one and all.

Proverbs 30:12 ESV / 43 helpful votes

There are those who are clean in their own eyes but are not washed of their filth.

1 Corinthians 10:33 ESV / 32 helpful votes

Just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

Leviticus 19:18 ESV / 30 helpful votes

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Genesis 4:1-26 ESV / 29 helpful votes

Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. ...

John 3:16-17 ESV / 25 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

2 Corinthians 5:15 ESV / 24 helpful votes

And he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Luke 1:1-80 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. ...

Jeremiah 45:5 ESV / 23 helpful votes

And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not, for behold, I am bringing disaster upon all flesh, declares the Lord. But I will give you your life as a prize of war in all places to which you may go.”

Ephesians 2:3 ESV / 22 helpful votes

Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 ESV / 19 helpful votes

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

Philippians 2:4 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:7-9 ESV / 16 helpful votes

But emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

Psalm 140:1-8 ESV / 15 helpful votes

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men, who plan evil things in their heart and stir up wars continually. They make their tongue sharp as a serpent's, and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men, who have planned to trip up my feet. The arrogant have hidden a trap for me, and with cords they have spread a net; beside the way they have set snares for me. Selah ...

Galatians 6:2 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Philippians 2:7 ESV / 13 helpful votes

But emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

1 Corinthians 10:24 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

Malachi 1:10 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand.

James 4:10 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Philippians 2:3 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Romans 13:10 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

James 4:1-2 ESV / 10 helpful votes

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.

1 John 2:16 ESV / 9 helpful votes

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

Galatians 2:20 ESV / 9 helpful votes

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

1 Corinthians 3:18 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.

Genesis 4:9 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?”

1 John 3:4 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.

2 Peter 1:4 ESV / 7 helpful votes

By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

James 4:6 ESV / 7 helpful votes

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Colossians 3:1-25 ESV / 7 helpful votes

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ...

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ESV / 7 helpful votes

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ...

Romans 12:3 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

Luke 6:32-34 ESV / 7 helpful votes

“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.

Proverbs 28:27 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.

James 4:3 ESV / 6 helpful votes

You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

James 3:18 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James 2:16 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?

Hebrews 13:16 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Hebrews 6:4-6 ESV / 6 helpful votes

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

2 Timothy 3:2-4 ESV / 6 helpful votes

For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

2 Timothy 3:1-3 ESV / 6 helpful votes

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,

Ephesians 5:25 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

John 3:30 ESV / 6 helpful votes

He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Luke 15:1-32 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ...

Luke 1:16 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God,

Mark 8:34 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Matthew 27:3-4 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.”

Proverbs 11:25 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

1 John 3:17 ESV / 5 helpful votes

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

Philippians 1:21-22 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.

Philippians 1:17 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.

2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

1 Corinthians 10:31-33 ESV / 5 helpful votes

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

Romans 15:1-3 ESV / 5 helpful votes

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”

Romans 13:8-14 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. ...

Romans 12:10 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 8:5 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Acts 20:24 ESV / 5 helpful votes

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

John 15:13 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Luke 10:25-37 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” ...

Luke 9:23 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Mark 12:31 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Mark 10:35-37 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.”

Matthew 23:25 ESV / 5 helpful votes

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

Matthew 20:28 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:16 ESV / 5 helpful votes

So the last will be first, and the first last.”

Matthew 19:21-22 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Haggai 1:9 ESV / 5 helpful votes

You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.

Daniel 5:16-17 ESV / 5 helpful votes

But I have heard that you can give interpretations and solve problems. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation.

Ezekiel 34:18 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture; and to drink of clear water, that you must muddy the rest of the water with your feet?

Proverbs 30:5 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Genesis 28:1-22 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Then Isaac called Jacob and blessed him and directed him, “You must not take a wife from the Canaanite women. Arise, go to Paddan-aram to the house of Bethuel your mother's father, and take as your wife from there one of the daughters of Laban your mother's brother. God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become a company of peoples. May he give the blessing of Abraham to you and to your offspring with you, that you may take possession of the land of your sojournings that God gave to Abraham!” Thus Isaac sent Jacob away. And he went to Paddan-aram, to Laban, the son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother. ...

1 John 2:15-16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

James 3:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.

James 3:14-16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 ESV / 4 helpful votes

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Acts 20:35 ESV / 4 helpful votes

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

John 13:34 ESV / 4 helpful votes

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

2 Timothy 2:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.

Philippians 2:3-4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Galatians 5:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Galatians 5:19-21 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Romans 15:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

Matthew 25:41-46 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ ...

Galatians 5:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

Romans 15:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

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