For the sinful nature desires what is
contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.
They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. Galatians 5:17
The
Holy Spirit and the fallen human self are diametrically opposed to each other,
for, as the Apostle Paul wrote to the Roman church, “because the carnal mind is
enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can
be.”
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 this religious experience.
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
pseudo-religious experiences that provide much carnal enjoyment but feed the
flesh and puff up the heart with self-love.
A
good rule is this: Nothing that comes from God will minister to my pride or
selfcongratulation. If I am tempted to be complacent and to feel superior
because of 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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