Let’s Look at – The Self Life

 (Psalm 139:23-24) “Search me O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts And see if there be any wicked way in me.” 

Listed below are some features and manifestations of the self life with which we are all probably familiar. The list may not be complete and should never be used to compare ourselves or others. Instead we should always remember. Jesus is our only pattern and even he grew and learned obedience.  

(2 Corinthians 10:12) For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend, themselves: but they measure themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

(Philippians 2:5-8) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man. he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

(Hebrews 5:8) Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.  

A secret sense of pride: An exalted feeling of self worth. In view of personal success or position, and excellent mentors. Coupled with natural gifts which may be reflected by a stiffness and preciseness. 

Love of human praise: A secret fondness of being noticed, love of supremacy, drawing attention to self in conversation. A swelling time in speaking or praying. 

A stirring 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 disapproved of or contradicted; a desire to throw sharp, heated flings at another. 

Self-will,: A stubborn, un-teachable spirit; an arguing, talkative spirit; harsh, sarcastic expressions, with an unwilling, unyielding headstrong disposition; a driving commanding spirit; a disposition to criticize and pick flaws when set aside and unnoticed; a peevish fretful spirit. A disposition that loves to be coaxed and humored. 

Carnal Fear – A man fearing spirit, a shrinking from reproach and duty. Reasoning around your cross. A shrinking from doing your own duty fearfulness that someone will offend and drive some prominent person away; a compromising spirit. 

A jealous disposition, a secret spirit of envy in your heart; an unpleasant sensation when you seef the 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. 

A dishonest, deceitful disposition; the evading and covering of the truth; the covering up of your real faults; the leasing 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; Having a 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. As we consider this trait we must by prayer, hold our heart open to the searchlight of Holy Spirit, until we see the groundwork thereof. The Holy Spirit will enable us, by con-fession and faith, to bring our self-life to the death. We must not patch over. We must not be lenient. (Holy Spirit will help us, but we must get a true revelation. We must see the true picture.  

My Prayer:

“Save me from myself O Lord. I want to be lost in You. Oh, that it might be no more I but Christ that lives in me.” 

(Psalm 51:10) Create in me a clean heat, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.   

(John 6:32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.  

(Psalm 89:14) Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy (God’s) throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.

(Deuteronomy 30:19 – I call heaven and earth to record this day against you that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest obey his voice and cleave unto him for he is thy life; and the length of days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.  

(Proverbs 26:3) As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.  

(Philippians 3:13- 14) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

(Isaiah49:8-9)  Thus saith the LORD in an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritage; That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them tha are in darkness, Shew yourselees. They shall feed in the way, and their pastures shall be in the high places.

Two Ungodly Beliefs

1. “There is nothing I can do about it.”
2. “I’ve done all I can.”

But the truth is I can do something about it.
If it involves me I must do more than scout it.
I must find the cause.
It’s not time to linger or pause.
With all my strength
And all my might,
I must push back the veil,
And enter the light.
I must spot the culprit.
I must push to endure.
The struggle is worth it,
Of this I am sure.
Father, Help me do an intricate examination
Of my thoughts, and inclinations.
And also check my tendencies
To do only as I please.
Help me not to hide.
Please stay close by my side.
Show me the recesses of my heart.
My desire is to be
A perfect piece of art.
I belong to you Father.
Shine the light of Your presence upon me.
I want you to examine
And tell me what you see.
Behold! Father spoke
And I heard Him say,
“This is the time.
This is your day.
My call is to come
And then obey.
Start listening
Change your words
And stop resisting.”

Margarett Inez Bates

Dying To Self
by Bill Briton

When you are forgotten, or neglected or purposely set at naught, and you don’t sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ. That is dying to self.

When your good is evil spoken of. When your wishes are crossed, your advice is disregarded, Your opinions ridiculed and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient loving silence. That is dying to self.

When you lovingly and patiently bear, any disorder, irregularity, any unpunctuality, or any annoyance. When you can stand face to face with waste and folly, extravagance or spiritual insensibility…and endure it as Jesus endured it. That is dying to self.

When you are content with, any food, any offering, any raiment, any climate, any society, any solitude, any interruption, by the will of God. That is dying to self.

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation or to record your own good works or itch after commendation. When you can truly love to be unknown, That is dying to self.