The Problem With Being Good! | C.S. Lewis

The Christian life is simply a process of having your natural self changed into a Christ self. And that this process goes on very far inside. One’s most private wishes, one’s point of view are the things that have to be changed. That's why unbelievers’ complaint with Christianity is that it is a selfish religion. “Isn't it very selfish-even morbid-” they say, “to be always bothering about the inside of your own soul, instead of thinking of humanity?”
Now what would an NCO say to a soldier who had a dirty rifle, and when told to clean it replied, “But sergeant, isn't it selfish-even morbid-to be always bothering about the inside of your own rifle instead of thinking of the United Nations?” Well we needn't bother about what the NCO would actually say. You see the point: the man is not going to be much used to the United Nations if his rifle isn't fit to shoot. Quite in the same way people who are still acting from their own natural soul won't do much real permanent good to other people.
Let me explain that.
History isn't just a story of bad people doing bad things. It's quite as much a story of people trying to do good things, but somehow something goes wrong. Take the common expression “cold as charity.” How do we come to say that? From experience. We've learnt how unsympathetic, patronizing, and conceited charitable people often are. And yet, hundreds and thousands of them started out really anxious to do good, and when they’d done it, somehow it just wasn't as good as it ought to have been.
The old story, “what you are comes out in what you do.” A crabapple tree can't produce eating apples. As long as the old self is there, its taint will be over all we do. We try to be religious and become pharisees. We try to be kind and become patronizing. Social service ends in red tape and officialdom. Unselfishness becomes a form of showing off.
I don't mean, of course, that we should stop trying to be good; we've got to do the best we can. If the soldier is fool enough to go into battle with a dirty rifle, he mustn't run away. But I do mean that the real cure lies far deeper. Out of ourselves and into Christ we must go.
The change won't, for most of us, happen suddenly. And I must admit that for most Christians it'll only be beginning at the very end of our present lives. But there are some in whom it goes further, even before death-far enough for you to see it. Their very faces and voices are different. When you meet them, you know you're up against something which, so to speak, begins where you leave off-something stronger, quieter, happier, more alive than ordinary humanity.

[@stevencook4002]

Focusing on our own behaviors doesn’t change them. Focusing on Jesus and allowing him to work through us does.

[@MarkVsd]

For myself, I wish there wasn't this constant need to embellish. The words are incredibly well stated and stand on their own. The music for me is a distraction, as if all of life needs a sound track, as if silence itself isnt powerful, or a sort of tacit 'correction' to help where the words arent enough. But they are enough.

[@amcds2867]

I just came from Church where the person preaching the sermon told the story of a Christian woman who was married to a Hindu husband in North India, and she would have the habit of getting down on her knees to untie her husband's shoelaces whenever he arrived home. One day while she was doing this the man was furious because of a bad day at work and took it out on his wife by kicking her so violently she fell and hit her head on a wall. She soon noticed she was bleeding from her head and wrapped a towel around it. She then got back down on her knees to untie her husband's shoelaces. He asked her why she put up with a "wild beast" like him, and she answered "it isn't me, but Jesus in me." Some time later this man became a Gospel preacher in India.

[@paulgibbons2320]

Shocking.

[@amcds2867]

@@paulgibbons2320 Crazy Love.

[@haleygray6443]

Thats not good. Thats enabling.

[@amcds2867]

@@haleygray6443 Well when you know that Jesus is Lord and Saviour, you realize that her reaction was life changing, and the opposite of how our shrivelled up hearts perform.

[@amcds2867]

@Ginger Cat whatever religion you are preaching from it ain't Christianity. "women were righteous before they met Him" ??? No woman or man for that matter is righteous, especially "naturally" because human being's natural inclinations are evil. I seriously doubt you have read the Bible from cover to cover otherwise you would have realized that you are saying the opposite of what Scripture clearly teaches. Only GOD is righteous, and Jesus being the Incarnation is righteous. In the example i gave in my initial comment this extraordinary woman did not react in the flesh (or naturally) to the evil committed by her husband. Instead she followed the example of her Saviour, Who unlike us and our shriveled up hearts, chose to forgive. And by the way, in regards to your other comment, that "Women's hearts become corrupted because of men" ??? Who told Adam to disobey GOD and eat the forbidden fruit?

[@m444ss]

"As long as the old self is there, its taint will be over all we do."

[@gracenmercy579]

Yes because we are sun tainted

[@LimleyGilbert]

Grace is a sham. Works are all that we have, and we should do good ones all of our days.

[@felixr3259]

"Out of ourselves and into Christ" that's deep.

[@chrismachin2166]

I’ve found the goal of life is to glorify God in everything you do. Everything flows from that aim.

[@albinnerentoft1027]

Amen! And ”God is most glorified in us, When we are most satisfied in Him.”

[@user-cd8xh1er5l]

It takes a strong man to be good and kind. Anybody could be evil

[@Madenewhope]

I've suffered all my life for it to a point where my reputation was non-existent.

[@andreleibee354]

so what is the source for that strength according to you? our human goodness and kindness will always have a taint on it. the source of true, actual, goodness and kindness is Jesus Himself. relying on the natural self will be flawed and limited at best. true goodness and true kindness is not human, it is Divine. supernatural... and eternal.

[@davidparker2173]

With all of my imperfection, which is horrifying, I can only assume I have a need to be perfected. I only wish it was much more my nature to be perfect. "Seek, and you will find", as I preach to myself. So far, far from me. Bless you all.

[@chrismuga]

"Out of ourselves, and into Christ, we must go..."

[@gknight4719]

not sure about that, in my bible Christ is god and the god of the bible is a psychopath who drowed billions of innocent animals! read second Kings ch 2 vs 23=25 killed 42 children! and it was Jesus who threatened hell!

[@kenkenshiro6779]

This man was wise beyond his years.

[@mackdmara]

I worry that some people mistake a jovial person of good charisma, for a good person.

[@robertmccabe8632]

Tis easier to like what you see then see what you like.

[@jojogo22]

Let me guess.... You're a born-again pessimist.

[@mackdmara]

@@Rileyed You don't buy the product, you buy me. That is both sales and good people.

[@johnb8306]

Bouquet for posting this material. Brickbat for the Muzak. Please let Lewis speak for himself, without distraction and competition.

[@petergreen8477]

“Nature perfected by grace.”

[@JohnMoore-qv4vn]

Not exactly sure why background muzak was needed, but thank you.

[@dexter6052]

it was needed

[@charnevanderwalt4600]

It is hard for me and some people with hearing disabilities to listen to videos or podcasts with background music.

[@jeph33]

Music or message?

[@suzannahjames5264]

@@charnevanderwalt4600 agreed.

[@georgeherbert88999]

yes. please take down the music!

[@marcoscastro1398]

That is the work of the holy spirit,changing us from inside out. Not from the outside out,the world will never understand this.

[@davidh7300]

There are a few things that i have done where I can say that it was not me. The Lord made me do it. I can't say the same for the devil. He gets credit for nothing. My nature is evil, I am still learning about the Lord.

[@Daniel-wp8fq]

Thank you guys! God definitely has used C.S Lewis to bless my life in moments of doubt, pain and confusion. I'm in the middle of reading the pilgrims regress and just like most great Christian literature, the themes are more relevant than ever. God bless!

[@neyetm5550]

Pilgrims Progress?

[@Daniel-wp8fq]

@@neyetm5550 nay, not John Bunyans book. The pilgrims regress is the first book C.S Lewis wrote after his conversion. It's basically a record of his search for meaning that led him to Christianity. Hope that helped, God bless!

[@neyetm5550]

@@Daniel-wp8fq ohhhhh fanks man! that's v kind of u

[@janpeterottosson2418]

And Regress is certainly a classic of the 20th cent. I read it once a year. I can also recommend the new film "The most reluctant convert" based on Lewis's own writings on his way to Christ.

[@WadeWeigle]

I wish this man was still with us. Thank you for sharing this.

[@e.conboy4286]

His writings as well as these films remain with us.

[@Jerry.anthony.c]

2:20 - The Oldself a curse. 2:50 - Out of ourselves and into Christ we must Go.

[@lopinitupou4626]

Very deep thinker Bless your soul C.S. Lewis

[@michaelraiger623]

The problem with being good is that it’s never one of being but becoming. As Flannery O’Connor said, we’re all the “good under construction.” It’s why many reject Christianity. None of us are perfect yet we’re the carriers of the good news. None of us are good enough. But we can’t stop trying. That’s the problem!

[@SeaHarp]

And the truest joy is that Jesus Himself is with us on the way--in our "becoming"--because He Himself *is* the Way! Thanks for your thoughtful insights!

[@I_know_it_I_sew_it_I_grow_it]

Many reject christianity because they have studied the origins of it.

[@sebastianyoon8051]

From sticker on a car screen: "Be patient with me, God is not finished with me yet."

[@wk1810]

Some reject Christianity because of ill treatment by those who claim to be Christians. Sadly, it happens too frequently. Shamefully, Christians shoot their wounded.

[@thomaswayneward]

Well we now know what we must do. But how do we do it? Simple, we don't and can't do it; Christ must do it for us and by asking Christ for His help, we will attain what Jesus wants us to be.

[@SeaHarp]

Amen!

[@s.thomas9493]

A great reminder and explanation to die daily to self. 😮

[@bobloblaw2958]

I agree, but it is so terribly difficult to actually pull off, impossible actually. That is why we continually need Christ.

[@LordsChild19]

It is not selfish if the holy spirit is changing one's heart and attitude so that the individual can then begin to care for the others around them which should be the process in which a Christian believer begins to see the works of the holy spirit in their life.

[@la_old_salt2241]

Oh, I wish we had more of Mr. Lewis's recordings.

[@brentspiess]

I was very moved by these words. Thank you for posting.

[@mrsaskander]

These videos are amazing I am addicted to how he explains reality! ❤❤❤ this all came at a perfect time. Praise God for these

[@heatherh3457]

Would highly recommend the Cullen Collection editions of George MacDonald's books who C. S. Lewis considered his greatest influence and was well respected by many of the other members of the Inklings.

[@BobSmith-kd4oc]

Be good,and if you can't be good be Gods' Richard Wayne Mullins

[@AL_THOMAS_777]

And if you can´t be GODS . . . just VANISH . . . .

[@BobSmith-kd4oc]

@@AL_THOMAS_777 my post indicates belong to God

[@ewencameron4269]

I sometimes think the words of CS Lewis have the most power when we immediately apply them to our own lives and situations with as much honesty as we’re able. In the comments below there is a story of an Indian woman being abused by her husband and seemingly enabling her abuse and it’s true that some Christian admonitions can seem unreal and not worth considering in the real world. yet perhaps that Indian woman had a wise and knowing soul that knew when and where to apply her Christianity and it apparently changed her husband I suspect it’s not cherry picking our Christianity to apply it when we feel like it but rather a wisdom born of experience of this fallen world while not losing our Christian hope. I hope this makes sense

[@c.galindo9639]

This shows that there are layers in which people should uncover to better understand Christianity. You can fool others with an outside image but what’s inside you will eventually be brought to the surface for everyone to see

[@jeanaston1532]

So so good. Just finding this channel and it is amazing to hear Lewis’s original recorded voice. Thank you.

[@SunMusic868]

I don’t know if you will see my comment, but I want you to know that this song has changed my status. I talk about my health because it gives me strength. Thank the Lord for bringing the miracle of physical and spiritual healing through this song. ❤

[@robm321]

One of the most brilliant men to ever live.

[@EmilyKeenerMusic]

amen, beautiful excerpt from Lewis.

[@toddtyoung]

This is great, but the music in the background ruins it for me. Why put it in there? Lewis’s words are great enough on their own.

[@mrwhisk863]

Music is unworthy of Lewis.

[@Must_not_say_that]

As he implies, only God is good. Only what He works is good. We cannot do good without Him. Did not Christ say, "Without me ye can do nothing?" And did He do nothing without the Father? "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do." As He walked so we are to walk.

[@fierybones]

This is so good! Professor Lewis touches on profound in four minutes, two seconds.

[@Donna-cc1kt]

They indeed are more alive than ordinary humanity, as he said.

[@xaviersonofgod4464]

I have never seen a picture of Lewis smiling, this was an unexpected, and pleasant surprise.

[@SeaHarp]

We're so glad you were blessed by that!

[@singloudlove]

These little bites of him are amazing

[@jimfarnell5813]

Let me suggest you try a full course meal 🥘

[@michaelterry4394]

Excellent

[@donnylastella9441]

Thank you for posting c.s. Lewis.

[@Kurtlane]

In my life I have not noticed Christians being happier, stronger, more alive than people of other religions, or no religion at all. In fact, a few people who really are like that seem to be distributed pretty evenly across various religions.

[@kerriwilson7732]

As a Christian, that is my experience as well. There are a few standout individuals in some churches that are genuinely hospitable, transparent, joyful individuals. A very few. And the takeaway for me is that I need to aspire to be that way myself. Not to be caught up in my own worries & stresses, but looking outward at the value of others.

[@Jack-er6wi]

I’m so glad I found your channel yesterday. These excerpts are absolute pearls of wisdom that help me guide my day and recenter

[@SeaHarp]

We're so glad you found *us*!

[@fosho1029]

Amen, very grateful for this

[@bourgeois4494]

Recently found your channel. Keep the good work and God bless!

[@murdermittensnyc]

With all the comments about the muzak, i agree, it is entirely distracting especially as it picks up minute 3. If you want it in the bkgrd, please bring it to 10-15% volume of current level.

[@williamhutcheson6511]

Lewis is infinitely compelling.

[@leadhesh]

wow i wish this was on Spotify so powerful

[@nikosantikythera2422]

Thank you for this!

[@au8363]

Jesus Is King.!!! Jesus Loves You❤.!!! John 14:6 King James Bible Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me..!!! Follow Jesus Take The Narrow Path.!!!

[@OneAmericanWriter]

Thank you! In my opinion, calm music helps this information get into more space in our brains. Well done!

[@Frankaupolis]

Thank you for the video. The music, especially when the percussions kick in, is a tad distracting, to me anyways. Cheers and God bless.

[@toddbonin6926]

Wow! This is profound!!!

[@silasbarnaby8870]

Thank you for this channel. Its a blessing

[@SeaHarp]

Thanks for your kind words!

[@passagliabill]

Thank You

[@jeph33]

That's so very belpful... thank you!🙂

[@SeaHarp]

You are so welcome!

[@edwingus123]

It seems to be no good thing in ourselves. “ There is none who does good, no, not one.” Romans 3:-2 This, I believe, is his point. Only good can come as Jesus is in your and works through you. The struggle with carnal and the spiritual side given us is real. We can only do genuine good when Christ lives in us. There is no motivation for doing good. It is a natural response from a new heart (born again). Again to quite Paul who understood this… “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

[@singloudlove]

Where can I find Lewis’s voice/audio sharing his stuff?

[@richardpankey6483]

This is an excerpt from the only known surviving recording of Lewis's voice, a BBC production from 1944. Other recordings were recorded over by something else or lost. The whole 16 minutes or so of this talk is available on the Apologetics315 KZbin channel.

[@m444ss]

i wish they had put the date of the original recoprding/broadcast

[@briangilley5960]

“History…People trying to do good things, and some thing goes wrong”

[@Leopar525]

Music was disturbing unfortunately, too loud and couldn’t hear what the man was saying, thanks for the effort nevertheless :)

[@eltonron1558]

Ahhh. A new creature, still mortal, yet still a creature. Now with God given confidence.

[@eltonron1558]

@Evan Hodge Evan-Hodge, not Evan Hodge. Yoda, missed you are.

[@Cpthilton]

Music soothes the savage beast, everyone else just finds it distracting...

[@urkoolUncle]

The greatest deception in visible church people is to think that 'accepting Christ' is the answer. And they continue in the world without a change of nature or a dissolution of self. Only those drawn by the Father are Accepted in Christ. When heaven and earth passes away, the only GOOD remaining will be God. All the former things will not even be a memory. Complete surrender of self with only Christ left standing is GOOD in God's Will.

[@Donna-cc1kt]

And we must pray for those in the throes of that struggle.

[@jameshaynes5306]

The Only Good remaining will be God as you said. Him and the people who only trust on Christ's work. None of us can be good enough, one sin is enough to be separated from God forever, just look at Adam. That's why we are to only rely on Jesus and what He did for us. His sacrifice is what makes us perfectly acceptable in God's sight.

[@charlierich9840]

Im so glad my first ever cs lewis video told me how to successfully fight for the UN. Wow. Not cool.

[@annalisavajda252]

The "problem" is perception as usual "good" as a subjective "truth" a cynic will see things as "too good to be true" usually because for some only the lesser of two evils is an option "good" doesn't exist for them. Some have the option only to suffer and they can suffer with others or suffer by themselves I personally would choose the latter.

[@pearlwhite7157]

💖💖💖

[@claudiolordino2192]

The fact that God, in sovereign grace, now either bestows, or assures, all His saving benefits before allowing the individual to do aught for him (think of the thief on the cross next to Jesus) seems perhaps too good to be true; but it is true, and, until this fact is recognized, the Christian will not be able to walk with God intelligently from the true grace motive. In the teachings of grace addressed only to the Church, God has disclosed in full the manner of life which becomes those who are already perfected in Christ.

[@lisamiller6542]

I like the audio. Author, where did you get the music?

[@SeaHarp]

We use soundcloud for our music.

[@grandmasterhiram]

Someone's teaching people to do these things.

[@zacharingeprod.9629]

Where is this audio clip from?

[@jayv3264]

The music helps me. It adds gravitas to the message. It inspires and uplifts in parallel to what Lewis says. I’d say keep it. But it’s your video, after all. 🙂

[@suzannahjames5264]

If the music wasn’t as loud, particularly towards the end it may be better.

[@XSD.1.]

The music is distracting

[@jayv3264]

Is music (and other background noise, like tv’s playing in the background) distracting in other instances? Like movies, tv commercials, tv shows, restaurants, fairs, sporting events, bookstores, cafes, fitting rooms, phone calls, video games, cars, elevators, malls, beaches, conferences. Trying to understand what’s exceptional about having complementary background music for lectures.

[@XSD.1.]

It often distracts, that is the way I feel.

[@marcbotts5165]

The music towards the end was distracting.

[@XSD.1.]

True

[@Mygoalwogel]

Evangelical Christification theology is so wonderful, and equal or superior in merit to Orthodox Theosis theology.

[@glennharrell1944]

I tried listening to CS. Really did. But the background music is impossible. CS needs production with sentimental music like Thor needs jewels on his hammer. Please!

[@JohnDoe-hr5cg]

Why are people so turned of by beautiful background music? Please please keep the music in all your video's! It's what separates you channel from the rest 🙏

[@Fool3SufferingFools]

What an interesting accent he had... "bed people doing bed things." A sort of old-fashioned upper class accent that reminds me a bit of the late QE2.

[@mareeberry6951]

Great words. Though the music is overpowering & obnoxious.

[@martm216]

Which Lewis book is this from?

[@apeters60]

Hello Eugene, Can I get permission to share videos from this platform with Believers & Music lovers on my platform? My Christian Music KZbin channel is called ‘No Stress Life’.

[@holisticcatalyst]

This is Sanctification process. The window of time that starts when you repent, get baptized and start eliminating willful sin as the Holy Spirit forms in you. During this period, you also need to pass all the temptations of the devil. When you no longer sin, and the devil flees from you, then you are Sanctified and Holy. This is when God gives you a regenerated heart and a purpose in his church. Mark ch 1, Jesus got baptized, went into the desert and did not give in to temptation from Satan, then he started preaching repent and believe in the gospel. Only sanctified Christian's see the Father. Hebrews 10.14 & 12.14. I was lukewarm for years until I studied the KJV and came out of these lukewarm worship churches that are not biblical. Now I know real born again Christian's street preach and meet in houses like the book of Acts.

[@XSD.1.]

What role does the KJV play in your process?

[@stephenmorris7967]

Does anybody know where this excerpt comes from?

[@SeaHarp]

This is an excerpt of a BBC radio broadcast

[@stephenmorris7967]

Thank you. Do you know the name of the broadcast? I would love to listen to it.

[@NathanPK]

Source?

[@chrisa9549]

Does anyone know if this is actually cs Lewis speaking?

[@lioplimusic4742]

Does anyone know who owns the rights to this audio?

[@coolhandluke212]

Where did you get these recordings? I was under the impression that most of the BBC recordings were destroyed. Are these AI generated?

[@rgearr1808]

Is this Lewis' actual voice?

[@jimihendrixx11]

I assume so - “Original audio recording”

[@mattr.1887]

I think sometimes it IS possible to dwell on yourself too much. Maybe Lewis would disagree.

[@XSD.1.]

True. But I doubt that Lewis was referring to this, he was referring to a person trying to get Christlike

[@aytursunfolly4856]

no muzic please.

[@DanThomas1161]

The background music is dreadful. One needs to fight thru it like trying to see the outlines thru the thicket of the fog.

[@slaugh77ify]

Why does no one ever answer the how question?

[@piehound]

Because they don't have the answer. Or they like to spin the bible their own way. The only true " How " is by God's grace. If not by His grace . . . there is no other reliable way that lasts and lasts. All human effort is temporary at best. Buddhism and Taoism have in some way come close to the " How. " The harder you try . . . the farther away from it you are. Or the farther away you fall. Alan Watts explains these ideas better than I do.

[@BobSmith-kd4oc]

A man who on the onset of his journey was to prove that God did not exist.

[@Medietos]

I couldn't hear vebause of the background pounding noise. One comes to hear what he has to say, and there is no need for anything else! Also, some of us are not english= extra hard to get it, and some are sick and tired =extra hard to get it, concentrate.Remake? Thanks! What I did hear was good. I'll go on cleaning my rifle. And promise to shoot well and only if absolutely necessary.

[@Williamb612]

you get to heaven through faith, not works

[@BenjaminAnderson21]

@thecreativemind Faith without works is dead, but this does not mean that it is works that save. Works are merely the evidence of saving faith, not what makes faith into saving faith.

[@fifty5712]

Great

[@theunholyfist7079]

I didn't get it

[@Johnny-sz3zm]

Galatians 4:19, NIV: My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you Research what it means to have Christ formed in you.

[@leduc7912]

The audio is great but why why why always adding a background music when it's NOT needed ?! It even adds a layer of falseness and confusion over a clear message, stop doing this please, thank you.

[@SabinaAndrews]

The background music is distracting and DEFINITELY not helpful!

[@rodrigog.c.6047]

So fake it until you make it?

[@AL_THOMAS_777]

YES. Period.

[@rodrigog.c.6047]

@@AL_THOMAS_777 That's a house built in the sand. Good day.