Before doing this study, please read the one-minute introduction Don't Sit in a Prison Cell of Self-Pity. It explains that self-pity is like putting ourselves in a prison cell that's locked from the inside.
So let's look a bit further into the sin of self-pity:
1. Self-pity is self-centered.
It's places our focus on ourselves and our problems, and this typically causes us to ignore the problems of others. One way to deal with self-pity is to take our focus off ourselves and ask God how we might bless someone else:
Philippians 2:3-4: 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.
Proverbs 11:25: A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
2. When we wallow in self-pity, we don't seek God's comfort.
Sometimes self-pity is caused by inflating our problems, but it can also be caused by genuine difficulties in our lives. That's when we need to seek God's comfort.
3. Self-pity is usually built on bitterness.
Hebrews 12:15: Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.
Ephesians 4:26-27: And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
The Greek for "foothold" means to give the devil a place or an opportunity. It's like preparing a room in our hearts for Satan to dwell and keep us constant company, reminding us of how we've been wronged and helping us forget our blessings. Anger, bitterness and self-pity are intertwined. Any and all of them will give Satan a foothold in our lives.
When we're going through a difficult period, we should pray throughout the day and make sure we don't go to bed brooding or angry.
copyright 2017, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, edited and updated in 2025.
1 Peter 5:7: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Philippians 4:6: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to Gog.
3. Self-pity is usually built on bitterness.
Hebrews 12:15: Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.
4. Self-pity and bitterness are like anger, giving Satan a “foothold” in our lives.
Ephesians 4:26-27: And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
The Greek for "foothold" means to give the devil a place or an opportunity. It's like preparing a room in our hearts for Satan to dwell and keep us constant company, reminding us of how we've been wronged and helping us forget our blessings. Anger, bitterness and self-pity are intertwined. Any and all of them will give Satan a foothold in our lives.
When we're going through a difficult period, we should pray throughout the day and make sure we don't go to bed brooding or angry.
See this one-minute devotion for additional insights:
copyright 2017, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, edited and updated in 2025.
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