Narrow Way with Steve Phillips Self Subdued
Self is the shadowy usurped landlord, now tenant, who lays claim to permanent lodging in our earthly dwelling; and he cannot be evicted. “For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these two are fighting one another” – Galatians 5:17. Self will not pack his bags.
Self would take over: lounging on your most comfortable sofa, requiring cool drinks and entertaining videos. He entices you, the lawful owner and resident, with his lusty paramours, promising all manner of illicit pleasures. Belligerent insults are belched forth boldly should you repulse his demands.
And thus regularly from within, Self assaults: “Each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own lust” -James 1:14. Though the devil in making his rounds may visit you from time to time, Self is the resident house-devil within the breast of every man. “Nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh” –Romans 7:18. That proud thing of Self elbows his way into every corner of life unless subdued.
Who then is our greatest and most grievous foe, the single most pernicious stumbling block to spiritual advance? He stares at you unflinchingly daily in the mirror; it is Self. How then can such a beast be conquered? By relentless vigilance and unwearied assault: Self must be slain, and you must do it.
Christ will not do this for you. The campaign against Self must launch forth at your command. Jesus indeed will help you; yea, He will strengthen you in the conflict, but you must wield the sword against Self. None other can do that for you. You must subdue Self, and victory is not automatic.
O, what a tyrant is this wretched usurper Self! Self-love, and advantage, lust and longing: Self-gain, and exaltation, comfort and convenience: Self-insistence, and envy, pride and foolishness: and who can enumerate the 1000’s of other malignant, defiling, and hateful enticements by which Self assails the soul!
While it is true that we “have been crucified with Christ” –Galatians 2:20, it is equally true that those who are Christ’s must “crucify the flesh with its passions and lusts” –Galatians 5:24. Even though “we have died with Christ” –Colossians 3:3, we must nonetheless “put to death the members of our earthly body” – Colossians 3:5. Self must be subdued, and it is you who must hate your own Self to do so.
“If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own Self-life, he cannot be My disciple” – Luke14:26. O how deep is the mystery of you, yourself, denying Self! But this is God’s way: Hearken to the unwavering decree: “He must deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” – Matthew 16:24.
The commands are uncompromisingly stern; they could not be otherwise if Self is to be subdued. “Deny,” “Crucify,” “Hate,” “Put to death,” are the watchwords that constitute one being a disciple. Give Self no quarter. Afford him no comfortable accommodation in your earthly home.
Send him into dark corners. Do not harbor him who schemes your demise and revolts against your Lord. Drive him from your comfortable sofa; grant none of his corrupting desires. Cast out his wanton women and all of his wretched demanding rogues. Take up sides with God against Self. Subdue him.
“Live by the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh” –Galatians 5:16. “Present your bodies: alive, holy, and pleasing to God as a living sacrifice: Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” – Romans 12:1,2. “Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God” -1 Peter 5:6.
“Destroy speculations,” those lofty ravaging thoughts “raised up against the knowledge of God; Take every thought captive to make it obey Christ” – 2 Corinthians 10:5. This is the arena of conflict.
This is war, and battle requires outfitting: not only for defense, but for assault. Hence, we are afforded “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” –Ephesians 6:17. With that truth, we slay the temptations and thoughts of the flesh: this Self-life, ever insisting on its will and desires being done.
And the conflict abides as long as suns rise and set. “Do not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we shall reap, if we do not give up and faint” – Galatians 6:9. Arise: Subdue Self.