Parents often struggle to balance the need for self-expression in their children with necessary discipline. The natural self needs to express gifts, talents and ideas. The self-centered self must be restrained or a very unhealthy personality will develop. Self-denial is the only way people can live healthy in families or any other community for that matter. It is at the core of Jesus’ teachings. A healthy self can learn to express itself through its gifts.
“Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:1-5 (NASB)
