[i]Lord, bend that proud and stiffnecked "I,"
Help me to bow the neck and die,
Beholding Him on Calvary,
Who bowed His Head for me.[/i]

The following are some of the features and manifestations of the self-life. The Holy Spirit alone can interpret and apply this to your individual case. As you read, examine yourself in the very 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 or appearance; because of your natural gifts and abilities. An important, independent spirit?

-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 disapproval of or contradicted; a desire to throw sharp, heated flings at another?

-Self-will; a stubborn, unteachable spirit; an arguing, talkative spirit; harsh, sarcastic expression; an 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 whole duty by those of wealth or position; a fearfulness that someone will 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?

-A dishonest, deceitful disposition; the evading and covering of the truth; the covering up of your real faults; leaving 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 overanxious feeling whether everything will come out all right?

-Formality and deadness; lack of concern for lost souls; dryness and indifference?

-Selfishness; love of ease; love of money?

These are some of the traits which generally indicate carnality in the heart. By prayer, hold your heart open to the searchlight of God. "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me" (Psalm 139:23-24).

The Holy Spirit will enable you, by confession and faith, to bring your "self-life" to the death (see Romans 8:12-13). Do not patch over, but go to the bottom. It alone will pay.

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.

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

-Author Unknown
(famous tract)

Ouch, in Him-Chanin

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Chanin

~Not I But Christ~

Not I, but Christ, be honoured, loved, exalted;

Not I, but Christ, be seen, be known, be heard;

Not I, but Christ, in ev'ry look and action;

Not I, but Christ, in ev'ry tho't and word.


Not I, but Christ, to gently soothe in sorrow;

Not I, but Christ, to wipe the falling tear;

Not I, but Christ, to lift the weary burden;

Not I, but Christ, to hush away all fear.


Christ, only Christ, no idle word e'er falling;

Christ, only Christ, no needless bustling sound;

Christ, only Christ, no self-important bearing;

Christ, only Christ, no trace of "I" be found.


Ada A. Whiddington

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Chanin