For the desires of the flesh are
against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for
these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to
do. Galatians 5:17
The Holy Spirit and the fallen human self are
diametrically opposed to each other. "They that are after the flesh do
mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of
the Spirit . . . . Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not
subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Rom. 8: 5, 7).
Before the Spirit of God can work creatively
in our hearts He must condemn and slay the "flesh" within us; that
is, He must have our full consent to displace our natural self with the Person
of Christ. This displacement is carefully explained in Romans 6, 7,and 8. When
the seeking Christian has gone through the crucifying experience described in
chapters 6 and 7 he enters into the broad, free regions of chapter 8. There
self is dethroned and Christ is enthroned forever.
In the light of this it is not hard to see why
the Christian's attitude toward self is such an excellent test of the validity
of his religious experiences. Most of the great masters of the deeper life,
such as Fenelon. Molinos, John of the Cross, Madame Guyon and a host, of
others, have warned against pseudoreligious experiences that provide much
carnal enjoyment but feel the flesh and puff up the heart with self-love.
A good rule is this: If this experience has
served to humble me and make me little and vile in my own eyes it is of God;
but if it has given me a feeling of self-satisfaction it is false and should be
dismissed as emanating from self or the devil. Nothing that comes from God will
minister to my pride or self-congratulation. If I am tempted to be complacent
and to feel superior because I have had a remarkable vision or an advanced
spiritual experience, I should go at once to my knees and repent of the whole
thing. I have fallen a victim to the enemy.
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