The following are some of the features and manifestatioons 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:
1. 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?
2. 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 prayer?
3. 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 disapproved of or contradicted; a desire to throw sharp, heated flings at another?
4. Self-will; a stubborn, unteachable spirit; an arguing, talkative spirit; harsh, sarcastic expressions; 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?
5. 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 away some prominent person away; a compromising spirit?
6. A jealous disposition, a sicret spirit of envy shut up in your heart; an unpleasant sensation in view of the great popularity 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?
7. 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?
8. Unbelief, a spirit of discouragement in times of pressure and opposition; lack of quietness and confidence in God; lact 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?
9. Formality and deadness; lack of concern for lost souls; dryness and indifference; lack of power with God?
10. Selfishenss; love of ease; love of money?
These are some of the traits which generally indicate a carnal heart. By prayer, hold your heart open to the searchlight of God, until you see the groundwork thereof. "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 Ghost 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 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