Podcast Summary: Jack Hibbs Podcast

Episode: It's Time To End Self Focus
Host: Jack Hibbs (JackHibbs.com)
Date: October 13, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Pastor Jack Hibbs confronts the dangers of self-focus within Christian life and community. He draws from biblical teaching—primarily from Romans, James, and Corinthians—to emphasize the necessity of empathy, unity, humility, and rejecting partiality. The message challenges believers to move beyond selfishness, to adopt Christ-centered compassion, and to resist cultural and spiritual cliques, culminating in a powerful call to embrace humility and collective Kingdom purpose.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Destructive Nature of Self-Focus

Timestamp: 02:14

Jack Hibbs identifies self-focus as a major source of brokenness in relationships, churches, and communities.
- “Self focus destroys lives, destroys friendships, destroys marriages.” (B, 02:14)
The call of Romans: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” Genuine empathy is contrasted with superficial displays of emotion (e.g., paid mourners in Jesus’ day).

2. True Empathy in Practice

Timestamp: 03:40

Jack challenges listeners to empathize deeply:
- “The word for the believer is to weep with those who weep because we’ve stopped focusing on ourself enough to get inside their skin and to be able to say, meaning it, I feel. I feel this. I feel what you’re going through.” (B, 03:54)
Warns against empty platitudes, especially in moments of deep tragedy.

3. Fighting Hardheartedness and Callousness

Timestamp: 06:43

Jack addresses caregivers and ministry workers:
- “You can be tempted to treat every, so to speak, case the same. None of them are the same.” (B, 06:50)
- Calls for ongoing prayer for softened hearts to avoid becoming numb.

4. Jesus as the Model of Compassion

Timestamp: 07:30

Jesus’ own empathy and capacity for emotional pain is described vividly:
- “Jesus wept… his bowels were grieved to where his actual physical stomach was churning because he saw them hurting.” (B, 07:45)
- Emphasizes that God is closest when we are hurting.

5. Unity of Mind Through Scripture

Timestamp: 08:59

The “same mind” among believers is rooted in shared, scriptural thinking.
- “The Christian community works the best when it’s Bible saturated. We think Bible together.” (B, 09:29)
Jack highlights the transformative potential of a “Bible-minded” church:
- “Imagine if today the church in America alone began to think Bible thoughts of the same mind. The church would be instantly, instantly a force to be reckoned with for good.” (B, 10:10)

6. Focus on Others Within the Christian Community

Timestamp: 11:40

Explains “have your mind toward them,” meaning behind, beside, ahead—encompassing support for fellow believers.
- Emphasizes prayer, shared joy, and shared grief as hallmarks of genuine relationships.

7. The Source of Conflict: Selfish Desires

Timestamp: 12:29

Drawing from James 4:1, Jack links church strife, family arguments, and social division to self-focused desires.
- “The Bible says, where’s this? Why is this happening in your home? The Bible says, I’ll tell you why. Because somebody… has got this selfish desire for pleasure, whatever that pleasure might be, to exhaust, spend, even destroy your neighbor, your family, the church, so that you can have it your way.” (B, 12:47)

8. Mutual Suffering and Rejoicing

Timestamp: 13:14

Cites 1 Corinthians 12:26—emphasizing shared experiences in the body of Christ.
- “If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. Or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” (B, 13:17)

9. Rejecting Elitism and Partiality

Timestamp: 13:53

Jack uses first-century church context to illustrate that social status, wealth, or class should not separate believers.
- “At the writing of this, in the Roman Empire, slaves were the biggest number group in the church in the first century. But there were also middle class and rich people… and they sat down in church together, side by side.” (B, 13:55)
Strong statements against “cliques”:
- “God hates cliques. He doesn’t want partiality.” (B, 16:26)
Cites multiple scriptures establishing God’s impartiality: James 2:1–9, 1 Timothy 5:21, Romans 2:11, Acts 10:34, and 1 Peter 1:17.

10. The End of Self-Awareness as Self-Obsession

Timestamp: 18:50

Jack closes by emphasizing humility:
- “Do not be wise in your own opinion, don’t do that… Not to think of yourself above, beyond, better than others in rank, status or blood.” (B, 18:56)
Calls for self-reflection and repentance:
- “We are in this together. Why do you have to some way shape or form… get a word into the argument? ...It’s okay to be busted. Just don’t stay there. Go be broken about it.” (B, 20:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Empathy:
“When someone is mopping up the suicide of their teenager, don’t show up and say, ‘I understand how you feel.’ Just don’t do that. Just cry… There’s a time when the grief reaches a point where there’s only tears. There’s only weeping.” (B, 04:47)
On Unity Through Scripture:
“How did that happen? Because we read God’s word. It’s beautiful.” (B, 09:46)
On Partiality:
“When God opens up the kingdom, he’s not gonna say, Platinum members, first class, all of you. Come on in. No, no, no. The first shall be last. The last shall be first.” (B, 14:27)
On Church Conflicts:
“Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?” (B, quoting James 4:1, 12:33)
On Spiritual Humility:
“It’s okay to be busted. Just don’t stay there. Go be broken about it.” (B, 20:56)

Timeline of Key Segments

[02:14] – Introduction to self-focus as a source of brokenness
[03:40] – Biblical empathy: weeping and rejoicing with others
[06:43] – Addressing caregiver fatigue and the need for soft hearts
[07:30] – Jesus’ radical compassion
[08:59] – Spiritual unity through a “Bible-saturated” community
[11:40] – The call to be mindful and prayerful toward others
[12:29] – Selfish desires as the root of conflict (James 4)
[13:14] – One body: sharing suffering and joy (1 Corinthians 12)
[13:53] – Social status abolished in the Kingdom; warning against cliques
[18:50] – The call to humility, ending with self-examination

Episode Takeaways

Genuine Christian living demands a shift from self-obsession to Christ-centered compassion, humility, and unity.
Empathy is expressed not in words but presence and shared pain or joy.
Scriptural thinking (“Bible-saturated” minds) builds unity and resilience.
The family of Christ cannot afford cliques, favoritism, or spiritual elitism—God Himself is impartial.
Real humility involves recognizing and rooting out “wise in your own eyes” tendencies.

This episode offers both challenge and encouragement, calling listeners to examine their hearts, abandon self-focus, and reflect the radical humility and compassion of Christ in every relationship.

Transcript

A (0:00)

In today's world, standing for your faith isn't easy, but it is incredibly important. The culture is shifting fast and the pressure to stay silent is growing. In his powerful resource Called to Take a Bold Stand, Pastor Jack Hibbs shares how believers can rise with courage in uncertain times. With biblical insight, real world examples and practical wisdom. This guide will help you speak truth with love and boldness influence culture without compromise and face fear, fear, rejection or opposition without backing down. It's time to live with bold faith, unshakeable hope and kingdom purpose. We'd love to send you a copy of Called to Take a Bold Stand as our thanks for your generous gift of any amount to Real Life. Go to jackibbs.com radio or call 877-777-2346 to request your copy today. Stand firm, be and keep your eyes on Jesus. Real Life presents the Jack Hibbs Podcast with intention and boldness to proclaim truth, equip the saints, and impact our culture.

B (1:18)

When we are of the same mind, it means, for example, every single one of us have the same thought because we know the Bible that it is this. I need to have more compassion and I need to know how to weep with that person who's weeping. Or I need to know how to rejoice properly when that person's rejoicing. Why do we all think that way? Because we're of the same mind. How did that happen? Because we read God's Word.

A (1:45)

You can get the outlines of this podcast by going to jackibs.com podcast today. If this podcast lifts you up and encourages you to live a more fulfilled life in Christ, then make sure you leave us one of those five star ratings. To us, that's like saying amen or yes, then that rating will encourage others to listen. Now open your hearts to what God's word has to say to you. Here is Jack Hibbs Self focus.

B (2:14)

Destroys lives, destroys friendships, destroys marriages. Rejoice with those who rejoice. And the Word says, and weep with those who weep. Now, some might say, well, it's easier to weep with those who weep than to rejoice with those who rejoice. It just depends. When it says weep here, it actually simply means exactly that. But it means to weep in the sense of you have empathy for them, you have knowledge, or you're understanding what they're going through. And so it doesn't watch everyone listen. In the days of Jesus in the first century, if you had a funeral going on and you really loved that person, if you had the money, you could Hire professional mourners. It was actually a real job. Can you imagine that somebody could cry loud enough and so fake enough that it looks so real. It's like AI 2000 years ago where, hey, yeah, listen, so my wife just died. I loved her immensely. She was amazing. So I'd like to buy, you know, I'd like to rent 200 mourners. Can you guys come? And really, I mean, listen, I'll tip you extra big if you really, really cry loud. Yeah, you got it. We'll be right there. Can you imagine? They pull up, you know, all these black donkeys pull up and they get out, and they get out and they say, where do you want us to stand? Just stand right here. Okay? You're on the clock now. Go. You know, that's not the word. The word for the believer is to weep with those who weep because we've stopped focusing on ourself enough to get inside their skin and to be able to say, meaning it, I feel. I feel this. I feel what you're going through sometimes. Listen, be careful. When someone is mopping up the suicide of their teenager, don't show up and say, I understand how you feel. Just don't do that. Just cry. You understand what I'm saying? Don't show up and say, you know, all of us go through difficulties in life. It'd be best for you to stay home. There's a time when the grief reaches a point where there's only tears. There's only weeping. You've been gutted. There's no more air left in your lungs, and you don't want to hear a voice. You just have brothers or sisters in Christ that are weeping with you. And the Bible says, weep with those who weep. And I don't know about you, but maybe I'll confess it for myself. There's times when I'm hearing what's going on, and I have to ask God, Lord, you have to soften my heart. This is the fourth time I've heard this this week. You hear what I'm saying, everybody? I'm telling you right now, don't raise your hand. But if you are a doctor or a nurse, if you're a caregiver, if you are a police officer or a judge, the danger is that. Or a pastor in ministry, the danger is that you can be tempted to treat every, so to speak, case the same. None of them are the same. But when we live in a world where we begin to, well, I need to. I need to protect myself, so to speak, in this situation. It's the fourth time I've heard it this week. I'm not going to let it get into me. That's when it's time for you to retire. Time doesn't allow us to go through the scriptures on how many times the Bible tells us that Jesus wept. He wept at the tomb of Lazarus. He wept. The Bible tells us that Jesus, seeing the multitude, that they were tired and hungry, was moved. The Bible says, and the word in Greek means that his bowels, it was in his heart, it wasn't in his thighs. The word used in the Greek language is Jesus bowels were grieved to where his actual physical stomach was churning because he saw them hurting. This is the Jesus of the Bible. When you're hurting, he wants to weep with you. Listen, there's a supernatural stupidity about us. We think when we're hurt or that when we're hurting, that God doesn't care and he's far from us. The exact opposite's true. He's there. And when was the last time you thought that Jesus is weeping with you when you weep? And he weeps? And the Bible goes on to tell us regarding self focus, how do we heal that up? Verse 16 says that we be of the same mind toward one another. Now that's impossible unless we're all in the same book. The Bible says the Bible has been given for us for the renewing of our minds. The Christian community works the best when it's Bible saturated. We think Bible together. Isn't it amazing when we are of the same mind, it means, for example, every single one of us have the same thought because we know the Bible that it is this. I need to have more compassion and I need to know how to weep with that person who's weeping. Or I need to know how to rejoice properly when that person's rejoicing. Or why do we all think that way? Because we're of the same mind. How did that happen? Because we read God's word. It's beautiful. And then that word, same mind means exactly what it says. To understand in such a way, to see things from the same angle. Imagine if. Imagine if today the church in America alone began to think Bible thoughts of the same mind. The church would be instantly, instantly a force to be reckoned with for good. And then when he says to be of the same mind toward one another. This is a beautiful word, the word toward you. It's. It's so. It's so cool. Have this mind toward your Christian brothers and sisters, which means, listen, if You. What if your daughter. What if your son's a Christian? What if your mom and dad are Christians? They are your brothers and sisters in Christ, and it is this. Have your mind toward them, meaning the word means to have your mind behind them, on the side of them and ahead of them. You encompass them. Have this mind thinking about them that, lord, I'm praying for them, I'm rejoicing with them, I'm weeping with them. And many times we have to say, lord, bring me into that relationship. Bring me into that moment where I can live this out, because this is your will. So you and I are to be witnesses in this day and age like never before. And James 4, verse 1 says, where do wars. Wow, he's speaking to believers. Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure? That war in your members? Think of that alone. Every, according to the Bible, every single word, battle, angst, issue in both brother church, sister Christian, home, life, family. The Bible says, where's this? Why is this happening in your home? The Bible says, I'll tell you why. Because somebody, maybe all of them or someone, has got this selfish desire for pleasure, whatever that pleasure might be, to exhaust, spend, even destroy your neighbor, your family, the church, so that you can have it your way. This is powerful. And James says, where do these wars and fights come from? Do they not come from your desire for pleasure? That war in your members, that is your body, you lust and you do not have. You murder. Yikes. And covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Remarkable. He's talking to the church. Yikes. Self. Scripture goes on also to say in First Corinthians 12, verse 26, if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. Or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. That's what we're to be like as brothers and sisters. And, you know, you look at. I love the fact that this holds no bounds in the sense that with all the devastation that's happened in Southern California, when you go to these locations or when you meet up with people, how many times are you not even realizing until later that you're talking to a fellow brother or sister in Christ Jesus that just had their home burned to the ground or swept away, it's amazing. And you connect with them in the things of the Spirit. And there's this unity because you're all feeding from the same book in the family of God. And there's this focusing upon others. He goes on in verse 16 and says, do not Set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. This is a beautiful statement. Do not set. Don't anchor your mind upon high things. The word high things means this. Things that are lofty. Now, hang on to your seats, everybody. It's going to get tough. It means as a believer, do not set your mind on things that are extravagant. Lofty, high shelf. We would say things like this and maybe you can help me out. Things like, we would say gourmet things that are reserved. It's kind of funny. Again, all because I'm traveling. All these airport analogies are in my head. You're standing there, everybody looks the same at the gate. And then the announcer, I mean, the flight attendant says, we're ready to board now for all of our platinum members first class. Basically, they're saying, all the people who have been successful in life, the awesome people, can get on first. I get it. That's how they make their money to fly these planes. They're charging these people through the nose and then they let us on. And that's just. That's the way that it is. But if. But if you're in my group in coach and you're looking ahead to the first class people and you're saying, wow, those people, really. I mean, those people, that's something. Okay, first of all, don't do that. You know what's worse than that? To be those in the first class group saying, excuse me, please, excuse me, you know, excuse me, I'm coming. They've called all platinum members first class. Excuse me. The Bible says, you better not be thinking like that. Look, even if you're flying first class, you better not be thinking like that.