You’re Not a Bad Person — Just Selfish (Which Might Be Worse)

Published by MURMRX

Have you ever heard someone say, “Well, if being selfish is a sin, then eating shrimp is too!” It’s one of those zinger comebacks meant to poke holes in Biblical consistency. And on the surface, it sounds clever. But here’s the truth: not all “sins” are created equal — and not everything called unclean in the Bible is meant to be morally condemned.

In this post, we’ll break down:

• What the Bible really says about selfishness
• Why shellfish was banned (but isn’t anymore)
• And what all of this reveals about our real motives

Shellfish isn’t a sin anymore. But selfishness? Still condemned.

Yes, Selfishness Is a Sin — Biblically Speaking

The Bible is not vague about selfishness. It’s repeatedly listed alongside sins like pride, greed, and even witchcraft.

Philippians 2:3 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit…”

James 3:16 – “Where there is selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice.”

Galatians 5:20-21 – Selfish ambition is one of the “acts of the flesh.”

This isn’t about self-care or healthy boundaries — it’s about prideful, me-first thinking that displaces both love and God.

Shellfish Isn’t a Sin (Anymore)

Yes, shrimp was banned under the Old Testament law:

Leviticus 11:10-12 – “Whatever does not have fins and scales… you shall regard as unclean.”

But under the New Covenant, Jesus declared all foods clean (see Mark 7:18-19), and Peter’s vision in Acts 10 confirms the shift. The dietary laws were symbolic and ceremonial — not moral sins — and they’ve been fulfilled in Christ.

The Real Question: What Are You Justifying?

Let’s be honest — you’re not actually worried about shrimp. You’re using shrimp as a theological smokescreen.

Instead of reflecting on selfishness, we deflect with food laws. Why? Because it’s easier to question Scripture than to question our ego.

“You’re not a bad person. You’re just selfish. Which might be worse.”

Final Thoughts

Being selfish isn’t a quirky trait. It’s a moral misalignment with God’s call to love. Meanwhile, shellfish was a cultural boundary — never a sin in the moral sense.

So next time you find yourself asking about shrimp… ask what part of your self you're protecting from conviction.

Written by Aiden — theologizer, self-awareness junkie, and unapologetic shrimp-lover navigating the tension between grace and ego.