By Shabna Nikhil
Entitlement is a false impression of feeling “I deserve it or I deserve more.” It’s a condition that one believes I essentially deserve something special or that someone owes me something.
Often times, people who have gone through emotional hurts in their childhood or suffered injustice are prone to be entitled. A child who is deprived of love, undergone abuses, ill treatments is prone to develop entitled mentality. Most of the times the root causes of entitlement are:
- Rejection, crushes the spirit of a person and if not dealt properly the enemy attacks the mind with lies which sometimes makes a person fight back demanding more attention and dominance.
- Self pity, which makes a person look at themselves in a false image and start having false expectations from people and from God.
- Pride, which makes a person think more about him/herself, than what he/she actually is.
Few examples of an entitled heart:
—What was given to me was not what I deserve.
—Others are blessed easily, but why am I still struggling? I deserve more than them.
—I deserve that job, as I am more efficient than the other person.
—Since I have gone through a lot from my childhood days, I deserve to be more blessed by God.
—I deserve to be treated well, as I am working hard for the church.
—I pray, fast and follow the commandments, God has to bless me. Because I deserve it.
—I’m special compared to other people around me.
The fruits of an entitled spirit are:
- Comparison
- Discontent
- Disappointment
- Opinionated
- False expectations from people and God
- Jealousy and envy
How to deal with this spirit?
The Bible says, “Romans 3:23 (KJV) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” As sinners, the only thing we deserve is God’s judgment. A feeling of deservedness will keep us from knowing the grace of God.
- Measuring ourselves with the Word of God, not our own standards.
- Gratitude — Ask God to open your eyes to see His goodness in your lives. Be thankful for every little thing He is providing.
- Focus on your own life only and do not compare with others. Everyone has their own cross to carry. Covetousness is a sin.
- Repent and surrender.
- Praise.
Source: https://i4ujesus.com/2019/08/20/beware-of-the-spirit-of-entitlement/
