The Wayside Pulpit No.11
Amongst my
many papers, gathered over the years, is a small tract, written anonymously
several decades ago, which came to light once again when I was sorting out, and
which I believe may be of help to some. It is entitled
Traits of the
Self-Life
The
following are some of the features and manifestations of the self-life. The
Spirit alone can interpret and apply this to your individual
case. As you read, examine yourself as if in the immediate presence of God. Are
you ever conscious of :-
A secret spirit of pride, an exalted feeling, in view
of your success or position; because of your good training and appearance;
because of your natural gifts and abilities. An important, independent spirit.
Stiffness and preciseness?
Love of human praise; a secret fondness to be noticed;
love of supremacy; drawing attention to self in conversation; a swelling out of
self when you have had a free time in speaking or praying?
The
stirrings of anger or impatience, which, worst of all, you call nervousness or
holy indignation; a touchy, sensitive spirit; a disposition to resent and
retaliate when reproved or contradicted; a desire to throw sharp, heated flings
at another?
Self-will; a stubborn unteachable spirit; and arguing,
talkative spirit; harsh, sarcastic expressions; and unyielding, headstrong
disposition; a driving, commanding spirit; a disposition to criticise and pick
flaws when set aside and unnoticed; a peevish, fretful spirit; a disposition
that loves to be coaxed and humoured?
Carnal fear; a man-fearing spirit; a shrinking from
reproach and duty; reasoning around your cross; a shrinking from doing your
whole duty by those of wealth or position; a fearfulness that someone will get
out of the spirit and thus offend and drive some prominent person away; a
compromising spirit?
A jealous disposition; a secret spirit of envy shut up
in your heart; an unpleasant sensation in view of the great prosperity and
success of another; a disposition to speak of the faults and failings, rather
than the gifts and virtues of those more talented and appreciated than
yourself?
Lustful stirrings; unholy actions; undue inclinations
and familiarity towards those of the opposite sex; wandering eyes?
A dishonest, deceitful disposition; the evading and
covering of the truth; the covering up of your real faults; the leaving of a
better impression of yourself than is strictly true; false humility;
exaggeration; straining the truth?
Unbelief; a spirit of discouragement in times of
pressure and opposition; lack of quietness and confidence in God; lack of faith
and trust in God; a disposition to worry and complain in the midst of pain,
poverty, or at the dispensations of Divine Providence; an over-anxious feeling
whether everything will come out all right?
Formality and deadness; lack of concern for lost
souls; dryness and indifference; lack of power with God?
Selfishness; love of ease; love of money?
These are some of the
traits which generally indicate a carnal heart. By prayer and fasting
hold your heart open to the searchlight of God, until you see the groundwork
thereof. The Holy Spirit will enable you, by confession and faith, to bring
your "self-life" to the death. Do not patch over, but go to the bottom.
It will pay. Hallelujah!
"Oh to be saved from myself, dear Lord,
Oh to be lost in Thee;
Oh that it might be no more I,
But Christ that lives in me."