Compassion is action powered by the emotion of love. It requires the courage of vulnerability but builds strength, hope, community, respect, in service of the common good -- the well-being of all. Selfishness is action driven by the emotion of fear, especially of others as ruthless competition. It is essentially cowardly, justifying any evil for a perceived advantage or to take one away from others. It believes it can only rise if others fall, and so seeks to from from suffering, even enjoying it. Compassion tries to alleviate, end, or help someone endure suffering. It tries to aid their growth. It isn't selfless because it is good for both giver and receiver, creating the common good. Using compassion on the self isn't selfish, but essential for one to be able to help others.
Selfishness is the true Satan, "the Adversary" of compassion. Compassion defines divinity and is the foundation for the Kingdom of Heaven. Wherever it shines forth, Heaven can exist. Selfish creates a Hell wherever it dominates, including a mental one in the afterlife, and ultimately eternal death in Outer Darkness if compassion is rejected after resurrection, the Final Judgment.
Thus, I have this warning to pass on from the Holy Spirit to the selfish who call themselves Christians:
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