◄ Self-Idolatry ►

Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”
1John 5:21

Cloak of Pretence

Is your ‘old man’ crucified on the cross? Is your ‘old sin nature’ nailed to the tree? Are you allowing the ‘new man in Christ‘ to be daily conformed into His image? But, oh dear! How often our old sin nature climbs down from that crucified position. How much it pretends to take on attributes that should be developed in the new man. Self’ disguises itself in the likeness, pretence, and mask of the ‘new man’ in Christ. Others may be fooled by this little cloak of pretence – this masked covering of deceit, but God Who knows the heart is not fooled, and 'Self' will never be conformed into His image.

Spiritual Pride

‘Self’ must remain forever cross-bound if the new nature in Christ is to grow and mature, for spiritual pride is only 'Self,' pretending to be the “new man” in Christ. Spiritual pride is the illusion that you are competent to run your own life. Spiritual pride is only 'Self attempting to achieve your own sense of Self-worth. Spiritual pride finds a purpose big enough to give you meaning in life without God. Spiritual pride sets God aside and places 'Self' on the throne of your life. Spiritual pride is an idol in your life and the idol you worship is your own Self.

Idol Worship

Idolatry isn’t just a problem for non-believers. Idolatry is a stumbling block for Christians too. Idolatry is trusting something smaller than God, to give your life significance. Idolatry is anything we trust in for deliverance, in the place of Jesus and His grace. Idolatry is the spirit of antichrist – exhibited in 'Self'.

Spiritual or Carnal

Placing 'Self' on the throne of our lives is not a new concept – it was born in Eden. It is the carnal human heart trying to build an identity around something other than God. Nothing can ever remove us from the love of God which is In Christ Jesus – nothing, but we can either choose to remain in constant fellowship with the Lord.. OR we can refuse to remain in divine communion with Him – either way, it’s our choice.

Either – Or

EITHER, we can the Lord as King, permanently on the throne of our life – and keep Self nailed to the Cross, OR  we can deliberately remove ourselves from precious communion with Him – and leave His close covering by elevating king Self. This old sin nature is the tool that Satan uses most frequently against a believer. Self is the shroud, more than anything else, that blocks God’s light from our hearts. The responsibility for removing this dark covering from your heart is your own. Only you can make the choice to tear Self from the throne of your life. No-one but you can decide to do this.

The Spirit’s Scrutiny

How, you ask? How do I know that Self is on the throne of my life? – And how do I begin to remove Self and return the Lord to His rightful place? Well, child of God, inspect yourself honestly. You inspect your heart, your soul, your motives, your attitudes, your words. You place your self-life, actions, and motives under the Spirit’s microscopic scrutiny. You examine yourself to see if you truly are in the faith – with Christ central. You ask the indwelling Spirit of Christ to search out all the deceitful ways of self. You seek Him to search out any rebellious attitude where self reigns supreme – and you admit to yourself that you left your first love, the Lord Jesus. You confess those times when self replaced Christ with self as Lord of your life. You remember and return Him to His rightful place in your life. see Rev.2:

Eternal Security

Oh! your eternal salvation is secure, for you are forever accepted in the Beloved, but check if Christ is the main influence on you or is 'Self' manipulating your life-deeds? Jesus said in John 15:5 “Without Me ye can do nothing …..” “Yet” you argue, “I can do many adventurous, bold, brash, and fearless things! Self can step in and achieve what years of waiting for God, has not accomplished!”

Spirit and Truth

Ahhh! but complete the sentence… and be honest in its context. Finish Christ’s words of love, in Spirit and in Truth, and you will see:- Without Me, ye can do nothing….. acceptable to God. Without Me, ye can do nothing that is holy and acceptable unto God. We can all do many things that are unholy and unacceptable to God – through Self, but even good, commendable works, done in our own strength are unacceptable to Him.

Non-Negotiables

There are certain non-negotiables in Scripture – such as.. 1. There is no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus, for we are accepted. 2. There is nothing in creation that can separate us from God’s eternally secure love. But there are choices we can make in this life that affect our relationship with Him. There are decisions that can detrimentally affect our earthly walk and future rewards, and it all has its roots in faith in God; trusting Him; believing His word: for without faith it is impossible to please God. Heb.11:6

Universal Principle

When we fail to trust God, we do not escape from trusting someone or something. We can’t fail to trust God, without turning our trust over to something or someone. This is a universal principle that God has designed. That thing that we place our trust in becomes our ‘god’, and at times that ‘god’ in whom you put your trust in – is Self. The more you focus on Self the more your life will become bloodied and battered. The more you focus on Christ the more you will become like Him.

Search ME O God

Search me, O God, thoroughly and know my heart: try me, test me, examine me deeply and know my thoughts – and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Are you man enough or woman enough to get on your knees and pray those words that David first prayed - David the man after God’s own heart.