Gratitude’s Greatest Enemy

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:8–10

One of the biggest issues for us as humans is the need to get everything we want. Many times, we feel like we’re owed something. We feel like we deserve things. The truth is the exact opposite. No one owes us anything. Every blessing we have is a direct result of God’s blessing. You read that right. EVERY blessing is from God.

Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
James 1:16–17

So often, we get into a pattern of selfishness that is in opposition to the thankfulness we should be experiencing in Christ. A job goes sideways, a loved one goes into the hospital, a friend dies, we don’t get that raise we think we deserve, and we blame God, because He isn’t blessing us like we think He should. This is a dangerous place to exist in. Quite simply, entitlement is the greatest enemy of gratitude.

Today, we have social media telling us that the world wants to see everything we do and hear/read everything we’re thinking. Suddenly, over the last few years, everyone is becoming a personal brand that needs exposure, or you face this feeling of anonymity. Being known and praised for who you are and the choices you make have caused a major issue with mental and spiritual health. Christian author, Charles Swindoll states it best.

"I'm here today to warn you: I want you to watch out for the adversary. Guard yourself from any spirit of entitlement. Restrain any and all subtle temptation to gain attention or to find ways to promote yourself."
- Charles R. Swindoll

So how do we fight against this spirit of entitlement? First off, realize you are a child of God. You are a coheir with Christ. Your future is secure. What happens on this earth is fleeting, but the prize you will experience is eternal. You need no other validation. What this world says you need is so much less that what you truly are.

Second, give your life over completely to Christ. This is where true living begins. Living under the authority of Christ allows us to live a life with purpose and direction. God’s ways are always best. It’s really that simple. You want to feel belonging and have meaning in your life? Give yourself as a living sacrifice to God and His ways.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1–2

How has entitlement been a part of your life? Has entitlement benefitted you?


What can you redirect that entitlement to? What can you, instead, be grateful for?


Pray for God to remove the spirit of entitlement from your life. If you haven’t already, give yourself over to God’s plan for your life. If you’ve never been baptized, contact one of our ministers and ask how we can make that happen. If you’ve never gone past that initial decision to follow Christ, and you want to go to the next level, please let one of our ministers know, and we will help guide you through your next steps.