The Old Man, Regeneration and Suppression

BLJ: Too many Christians believe that they have to live their lives suppressing the old man. The truth needs to be preached regarding eradication. The old man can be removed, not just keep under. That is a beauty of holiness. There is a Christian walk that does not require you to contend with carnality. 

THE OLD MAN, REGENERATION, AND SUPPRESSION

God is love. Love always plans for the best of those who are loved. Through the marvelous Atonement, provision has been graciously and fully made whereby man may be delivered from carnality or the old man.

The first step in this great deliverance is the experience of regeneration. After a contrite heart truly repents, salvation is possible by a simple heartfelt faith in Jesus, the Lamb of God. Saving faith has been defined as "An act of venturing trust whereby one believes in his heart that God, for Christ's sake, pardons all his sins." "Regeneration may be defined to be that moral change in man, wrought by the Holy Spirit, by which he is saved from the love, the practice, and the dominion of sin, and enabled, with full choice of will and the energy of right affections, to love God and keep His commandments." Regeneration is a great work of grace. The penitent soul is freely and fully forgiven every sin ever committed. The heart is radically changed. One who is born of the Spirit passes from death unto life, is a new creature in Christ Jesus, has peace with God, is free from condemnation, loves the brethren, loves and forgives his enemies, has righteousness and peace and joy, has the witness of the Spirit, loves the Word and prayer and the things of God, has victory over sins, has the old man suppressed.

Glorious as is the work of regeneration, it does not destroy the old man. Carnality, or inbred sin, or the old man, etc., etc., is not destroyed when one is born of the Spirit, but is suppressed. By God's grace the converted heart can and does restrain, or suppress this old man. Suppression is good as far as it goes. Were there nothing better provided for redeemed man than suppression, he ought to leap and rejoice with great joy over this victory over this great enemy. If a man have a family of children playing in a yard and a rattlesnake lives near by, it would be far better to suppress the rattler than to let him go free. But the better thing would be to kill the old rattler so that he would never poison any of the children. It is good for a Christian to suppress the old man, but far better to have him destroyed. A family had a favorite dog. This dog was getting old and cross. He had been faithful and was dearly loved of all the family. He was very cross to visiting children. To keep him from biting children who were playing in the yard, they would put a large box over him to suppress him, but he would growl on the inside. One day he became so stirred up, that he got out of the box and bit one of the children. That night the family had a long consultation about what to do with old Rover. They loved him, he had been so true and faithful. Yet they wanted the children who came to be safe. At last, it was decided -- as much as it grieved them -- that old Rover must be killed. He was taken out into the woods and shot. He never growled again.

It is a sad fact according to experience that many regenerated saints do not always suppress the old man. They, at times. give way to his stirrings and must repent and ask God's forgiveness. Thus many live an up and down life for a time. This is not God's plan for His children. His plan, His provision is that they, in a justified state, suppress the old man.

And to retain this experience, one must keep the old man down by God's grace. Failure to do this requires genuine repentance and a reinstatement in the grace of God. Others in a justified state live so close to God that the old man does not dare manifest himself. He is so suppressed that many justified people are deceived. They believe that, because they do not feel the stirrings of carnality within the heart, it is not there. Sometimes it is only by the searching of the Holy Spirit that inbred sin is detected. The heart is so deceitful that only God can know and search it. David was therefore wise when he prayed: "Search me, O God, and know my heart."

The old man will do anything rather than die. He had rather play possum and live in the heart of a believer than to reveal himself and die. For while in the heart, though playing dead, he is constantly defeating the believer from having the victory that God wills. While in the heart even in a quiet condition, he is constantly sapping the vitality of the believer. As some unknown disease in the body weakens the physical heart, so he is weakening the heart of the saint. Therefore, the old man is satisfied to play dead with many who walk close to God. Yet he is very much alive. And the time usually comes when he comes to life in full vigor. It certainly behooves man, regardless of his profession of any state of salvation, to in all humility and honesty of heart pray: "Search me, O God, and know my heart." The old man together with Satan is too cunning and shrewd for man to overcome.

More Carnal Traits of the Old Man

BLJ: There are so many carnal traits and this section seeks to provide a long list of them that need to be eradicated.

THE OLD MAN'S CHILDREN -- OF MANY CLASSES

To describe all the children of father Old Man would be impossible within the compass of this book. As far as we know, there is no compiled list of his children, but there are certain groups of similar traits. Shall we notice a few of these?

The children that appeal to the flesh, among whom are these sons and daughters of Mr. Old Man: Adultery (often only in the heart), Fornication, Uncleanness, Lasciviousness, Lust, Dance, Glutton, etc. These children work on the human heart and body. Through the influence of their activity, man gives way to the flesh. Evil imaginations are welcomed, overeating is indulged in which tends to stir up the animal in man, and often tobacco, cigarettes, and strong drink are freely used. These influences have a tendency to inflame the human heart as described by Jesus in Mark 7:21-23. From these things we turn with loathing. Only God can save the human heart from them.

The children of father Old Man who appeal to the tongue, among whom we note some sons and daughters: Scandal, Sarcasm, Evil Speaker, Backbiter, Whisperer, False Witness, Discord Sower, Tattler, Long Tongue, Murmurer, Grumbler, Mocker, Criticiser, Gossiper, Liar, Blasphemer, Curser, Big Ear, etc., etc. All these are carrying on their pernicious work to the intense delight of their father, Mr. Old Man, and grandfather, Mr. Satan. They wreck homes, blast lives, divide churches, kill reputations, populate hell, etc.

The egotistical children, among whom may be mentioned sons and daughters as follows: Boasters, Self-sufficiency, Self-righteousness, Heady, High-mindedness. These with many others carry on their share of the work of damning souls. They are proud of their attainments. They are so wise that they think the Bible is out of date. What cannot be proved by human reason is, to them, to be rejected. This leads man into Evolution, Higher Criticism, Rationalism, Deism, Infidelity, Modernism, etc.
Among the more refined (?) children, we find such sons and daughters as: Love of Creature, Love of Self, Love of Style, Love of the World, Love of Popularity, Love of Pomp, Splendor of Life, Haughtiness, Worldly Conformity, Touchiness, Peevishness, Carnal Cunning, Ingratitude, Guile, Sensitiveness, Self-glory, Evil Suspicion, Pride of Life, Self-pity, Vanity, Carnal Ambition, Conceit, Arrogance, etc. All these are working as faithfully for the interests of hell as are the children Anger, Adultery, Murder, Blasphemy, Deceit, etc.

Among the "love of money" children are such sons and daughters as: Covetousness, Greed, Miser, Extortioner, Thief, Cruelty, Oppression, Hardheaded, No Pity, Evil Eye, Betrayer, Love of Gain, etc. All these are faithful workers for the advancement of sin.
Among the mulish sons of Mr. Old Man we find: Stubbornness

Rebellion Obstinacy Hard-head Self-will Contrariness Inflexibility etc. All these are doing a great work. 

Among the children of uncertainty, we find such sons and daughters as: Doubt, Bondage, Question Mark, Discouragement, Wavering, Weakness, etc. These children are very active in the interests of their father and grandfather. Satan is well pleased with their work unless they go too far. If they go too far, it will reveal the presence of the Old Man. Satan does not want to do this lest those who are troubled with these children should go to a camp meeting or a revival and have Mr. Old Man put to death.

Among the indolent children we find such sons and daughters as: Sloth, Indolence, Laziness, Slowpoke, Love of Sleep, Love of Ease, etc. These children are all successful in aiding father Old Man in his destructive campaign against godliness.
Time would fail us to go on and describe all of the children of father Old Man. This is a suggestive study. You may continue it to the profit of yourself and others.

The Old Man's Children: Impatience, Provocation, and Vengeance

BLJ: Impatience, provocation and vengeance are carnal traits. If you want to get even with some one, you are carnal. If you are impatient, you are carnal. If you like to provoke people, you are carnal. This message needs to be preached from our pulpits along with the cure: holiness!

THE OLD MAN'S CHILDREN --THE TRIPLETS

In our study of the Old Man's children, let us now have the pleasure (?) of meeting Miss Impatience, Mr. Provocation, and Mr. Vengeance. These three children are robust members of this carnal family. You are so well acquainted with them that you will need no introduction. However, let us study some of their most prominent characteristics.

Miss Impatience is noted for her murmuring and fretful spirit, her lack of meekness, long-suffering, gentleness and submission. She is short on forbearance with others. It is hard for her to suffer long and be kind. Her calmness of spirit is disturbed in trials and tests. She is short-winded on endurance. She is not inclined to undergo persecutions with sweetness of spirit. Those who try her are liable to receive the benefit of her rasping tongue. The children in the home, the neighbors, or even the cats and dogs, etc., are not to be blamed for wishing that Miss Impatience would go to an old-fashioned camp meeting and die. What a blessing if she would only let God transform the wolf of impatience into the lamb of patience. Jesus has said: "In your patience possess ye your souls." How important, therefore, that Miss Impatience be electrocuted, and Miss Patience be brought to life.
Mr. Provocation, the second of the triplets, is noted for his resentment, his anger, his irritating words and actions. He is quick to take affronts, is easily insulted, is touchy. If not handled with due consideration, he goes up the miff tree. When pouting, he often becomes very aggravating right in the midst of church work. It is sad to see him have his spells right in the home, or prayer meeting, or board meeting, or camp meeting, etc. In having his spells, he may either give way to bitterness, sarcasm and insolence, or he may grow sullen, grouchy or stubbornly silent -- reminding one of an old balking mule -- or on the other hand he may be puffed up, swelling out with importance, and strut around with self-important airs.

His name must head the list. He must be asked to play or sing or preach or have the most important place or position. You will find him in nearly every home, and church, and camp meeting, and assembly. Woe to those who do not handle Mr. Provocation with the proper gloves of honor and dignity. It is hard for him to take reproof even when given kindly. He must be given the best bed, the best food, the easiest and cleanest work. He must never be slighted, or crossed in his plans, or asked to do anything beneath his dignity. To find out more about this son of the Old Man turn to the list of things that revealed Mr. Anger in a former .

The last of these triplets is Mr. Vengeance. He is certainly a hale and hearty son of Mr. Old Man. Under provocation his heart is inflamed with a desire for retaliation. He gets this passion of heart, this sinful inflammation, from his father. He has a strong inclination to get even with others. When his heart is inflamed with this desire, he is liable to go to any lengths to satisfy his provoked heart. Some have wrecked property, or killed their neighbor's stock. Others have robbed people of their good reputation, have spitefully planned to wreck lives and homes and even churches. Others have gone to the diabolical extreme of taking life, have committed the most atrocious murders. Only the eradication of inbred sin can fully remove this condition from the human heart.

The Old Man's Child: Love of Praise

BLJ: I have seen a few of these children around the church house. Don't dare not give them their due praise or there will be a carnal blow up. Miss Praise can be a real holiness fighter. She doesn't like rugged preaching against her carnal heart. Entire sanctification will put her out of your misery.

THE OLD MAN'S CHILDREN -- MISS LOVE OF PRAISE

Miss Love of Praise is the next daughter of Mr. Old Man that we have the pleasure (?) of meeting. Her distinguishing traits are: ears that are inclined to flattery and praise, a heart that feeds on these, to her, sweet morsels, a tongue that is swift to discredit others, feet that run after applause and eulogy, and a disposition to "be all things to all people" that she may win the more self-praise.

While she enjoys a wonderful reputation on account of her outward appearance, yet she is a full sister to her brothers and sisters, -- Anger, Wrath, Spit-fire, Murder, Adultery, Malice, Backbiter, etc. She is one of the family.

Miss Love of Praise, like her sister, Miss Deceit, is a very successful worker in the interests of her father and grandfather. She is the more dangerous to the work of salvation on account of her great popularity and diplomacy. She and Miss Deceit work together in harmony and unity. Thus are they able to the more easily deceive the human heart. Thus hell laughs in glee and demons celebrate over their great success. Many under deep conviction of their need of salvation and holiness would yield to the Spirit, but they so love the praise of man that they refuse to humble themselves before God. They, like the chief rulers, "love the praise of men more than the praise of God." Miss Love of Praise often does her most successful work among preachers. In her flattery, eulogy and treachery, she gets them to compromise in their preaching, or to let down the bars or lower the standards to increase church membership, or to refuse to seek the glorious experience of entire sanctification lest they lose their reputation, etc., etc. She is a great worker in all church affairs. From the most humble member in the laity to the highest official in the ministry is her range of pernicious activities.

She is no lover of the Bible. She likes programs, suppers, intellectual, star-soaring sermons, but has a disrelish for prayer meetings and preaching of the Word. She has the fatal earmarks of carnality. No wonder that she hates the Word, which is the sword of the Spirit. She has a special hatred for those who are preaching that she, all her brothers and sisters, and her father should be put to death. She loathes and despises those who preach that Jesus can cleanse the heart from all inbred sin.
Some of the things that reveal Miss Love of Praise. 

True testimonies:
Love of Praise LED ME
To vanity over my personality.
To compromise in my preaching.
To be ashamed to seek holiness.
To vanity over musical talent.
To go up the miff tree when I was not lauded and praised. 
To taking self-glory over my singing, over my looks,
over my speaking, and over my wit.
To pride over my success as preacher,
as farmer, as cook, as leader.
To hate the preacher who preached to my heart.
To self-praise over my reading ability.
To strut over my morality, my goodness.
To dress my children so as to
bring commendation from carnal friends.
To grieve the heart of God over failure to humble myself. And many more!

The Old Man's Child: Deceit

BLJ: This carnal trait is very prevalent in the church. This child of the old man can look you straight in the eye, smile and compliment you while hating you in his or her heart. The carnal trait is very subtle. They are generally good church workers and more refined. However, this child hates the Word of God and those that proclaim it! Thank God for holiness!


THE OLD MAN'S CHILDREN -- MISS DECEIT

The next child of the Old Man's family to introduce is his beloved daughter, Miss Deceit. She has many traits of character by which she may be distinguished from her many sisters. She is very apt in deceiving by making false pretensions, by feigning to be friendly when her heart is filled with hatred, by using shrewd subtility, by a spirit of carnal treachery, by beguiling with her charming manners, by her pernicious double-dealing and duplicity, by lying fabrications, by betraying confidences, by decoying into Satan's traps, by using the most polluting of methods, by all the arts known to fiends of hell.

This child is a great favorite with her father and her grandfather. She is one hundred per cent loyal to them, and they pet and pamper her. In fact they could not carry on their work of blasting humanity and populating hell without her.

To our great surprise at such a character, she is a great church worker. She is a leader in church affairs, in the Sunday School, the prayer meeting, the board meeting, the camp meeting, in short, when ever the work of salvation is undertaken. Being more refined, polished, and cultured than her brothers, Anger, Murder and Adultery, she can work right among the church people and do untold harm to the cause of God. She is a great and successful worker even around the altar. Here is where she uses her greatest skill, cunning, duplicity and subtility in deluding human souls. But for her with her good reputation, polished manners, and charming way the Old Man, her father, and Satan, her grandfather, would lose many souls that she betrays into their hands. And wherever you find Miss Deceit, you will also find her brothers and sisters: Pride, Envy, Jealousy, Malice, Hatred, Spite, Spit-fire, Wrath, Fornication, Adultery, Murder, Love of Praise, Doubt, etc. These are always close to their sister, Miss Deceit. True, they may be hiding themselves like the companion of a rattlesnake will hide near the one you are killing.

We reap as we sow. Not only is Miss Deceit deceiving others; but true to the law of reaping, size herself is deceived. The Bible speaks of wicked men, who are "deceiving and being deceived." This, no doubt, accounts for the high profession but carnal life of Miss Deceit. Her closest friends and associates know that her life is absolutely contrary to her profession. The Word of God is always true. The very fact that she can go on in this deceived condition verifies the truth of the Bible. This is why so many in the church -- laymen and ministers -- are resting on false security, living carnal lives, deceived and yet thinking they are right with God.

Miss Deceit works upon the young and the old. Her field is from the babe in the cradle to the old man on his deathbed. It is as natural for a child to deceive as for sparks to fly upward. Before a baby is six months old, he will get red in the face, cry as though a pin is sticking him, and when his mother picks him up, he will coo and smile like an angel. Thus early has he learned the art of acting a lie and deceiving his mother. This trait is born in every child. It is a twist, a warp of the nature and nothing will ever fully eradicate it from the heart but the work of entire sanctification.

However popular Miss Deceit is in her own circles, the Word of God is her avowed enemy. Her nature is absolutely contrary to love. Jeremiah, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit,

gives us a true and exact picture in a very few words: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." This picture is black indeed. It shows that the natural human heart is totally depraved and hopelessly wicked. Only God knows the depths of the heart. Only He can search it to the very depths. Wise was the Psalmist when he prayed: "Search me, O God, and know my heart." There are too many prophets who are prophesying lies, too many who are prophesying out of the deceit of their own heart. Thus are they deceiving the multitudes. Of many does the Word say: "The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee." How true again is the Word of God: "The kisses of an enemy are deceitful." This is verified in the kissing of Jesus by Judas. O cruel, murderous deceit! Many have found that Miss Deceit has a tongue that "deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully." No wonder our God graciously warns us of the treacheries of Miss Deceit: "Take heed that ye be not deceived," and to put off the "old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts."

Some traits of Miss Deceit taken from living witnesses:

Trading a worthless horse for a good one.
Putting the best of the wheat on the top of the load.
Taking the cream off, and filling up with water.
Saying, "I am so glad to see you," but was lying.
Telling children that there is a Santa Claus.
Telling children that a ghost would get them.
Professing to be sanctified to keep company with a girl.
Putting the biggest apples on the top of the basket.
Pretending to go to sleep to keep from washing dishes.
Deceiving people by flattery.
In planting pumpkin seeds, dug a hole and buried the most of them. Being up a miff tree, but pretending to keep sweet.
Taking off shoes when coming home late.
Pretending to pay for something, but did not.
Pretended that the cat broke the dish.
Pretended that I was not at home.
Pretending to go to revival meeting, but went to dance.
Pretending to repent, but deceived people.
Pretending to buy fifty cents worth of sugar,
but spent a dime for candy.
(These are but a few out of many.)

Fifth Bible Study: Elijah, the Tishbite

Today's lesson comes from 1 Kings 17: 1-16. The events described in this passage occur approximately fifty years after last Sunday's lesson. Following Jeroboam as the king of Israel, there was a quick succession of five kings. Then we come to Ahab who is reigning as the king of Israel in our study today. All of the the kings of Israel followed Jeroboam's wicked example. There are two principle thoughts that can be seen in this lesson:
1. Elijah's courage in proclaiming God's message to Ahab; and
2. God's providential care for Elijah.

The period we are now studying was one of the darkest times of Israel's spiritual history. Temples of idolatry and heathen alters occupied the land. There was bitter persecution on those who still worshipped the true God of Israel. The altars of Yahweh were broken down and the true prophets killed. But then came Elijah the Tishbite. We will learn how a true man of God responded to such perilous times for a believer in God.

The first section is "A Drought Announced" v. 1. Elijah told King Ahab that there would be a drought. This required great faith and courage. Elijah declared himself to be the servant of God and then announced impending punishment for the nation's sins. The drought lasted three and a half years, until God gave another message of the coming rain. What was the source of Elijah's power? He prayed earnestly according to James 5: 17, 18. After his time in prayer, he was able to announce God's Word to Ahab. This is an important lesson for us today. We have many moral and spiritual issues today. We need revival. The answer is not to be found in clever slogans or advertising programs, the answer is found in real prayer.

Why did God send the drought to Israel? First, He wanted Ahab and the people to consider how far they drifted from Him. Second, the drought showed that Yahweh was still the rightful God of Israel. Third, it was a punishment for their sins. A drought meant no rain for food to grow. Fourth, it would leave the people no resource but God in their times of trouble.

The second section is "God Provides by Ravens" vv. 2-7. God tells Elijah to hide. At first, this may seem strange. Couldn't God just protect Elijah with an army of angels? Yes, He could. However, we cannot put God in a box. He chooses the methods that He wants. His way is best, always. Elijah is told to go to the brook Cherith and to hide from Ahab. Elijah gets his water from the brook and the ravens bring him food. He had two fresh meals a day. While he was hiding, it gave Elijah time to prepare his mind and soul for the work yet to be done. He would have a great test in the future with the prophets of Baal. After a while, the brook dried up. This must have been a test of his faith as he saw God's provision beginning to disappear. All of these events were preparation for what was to occur. With the brook drying up, other people would have been less likely to come there for water. Thus, God was also keeping Elijah's hiding place secret. God always knows the best way to proceed when a person's source of help and supply is cut off. God will provide your daily bread and He will reveal the way for us to go step by step. I have said for years, "We are on a need to know to basis. When we need to know, God will let you know."

The third section is, "God Provides by a Widow" vv. 8-16. When the brook stopped flowing, God also stopped the ravens. He told Elijah to go to Zarephath. This was a small village outside of Israel in the territory of Jezebel's father (she was the idolatrous wife of Ahab). Ahab would not have thought that Elijah would go there! In Zarephath, God would use a widow woman with very little means. Elijah met her and asked for water and bread. She stated she had only a little and was going to make a it for her and her son and then die. Let's take account of the resources in this portion of Scripture. We have Elijah who is running from Ahab so he has little means or thing of tangible value. We have the widow woman and her son who have only a little food for them to eat and die. This took great faith on Elijah's part to believe that God was going to use a poor widow in a foreign land to sustain him. This took great faith on the woman's part because she had to believe that Elijah's words were true that the barrel of meal and cruse of oil would not fail unto it rained again. Elijah and the woman needed each other to bring about this miracle. In life, we generally need other people to help bring about God's plan for our lives. Truly, man's extremity was God's opportunity. Both Elijah and the woman passed the test. Those who trust in God will find that He Himself is their exceeding great Reward.  Real faith causes obedience, and brings blessings.

The Golden Text is: "What things soever ye desire, when you pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." (Mark 11:24) "Faith is the soul, prayer is the body; both together make a complete man for any service." A condition of our receiving is to pray, believing. Prayer is the principle duty of a Christian.

My summary points:
1. The preacher and teacher must be faithful and deliver God's message at any cost.
2. God can use any means He chooses to meet our needs if we are obedient.
3. Man's extremity is God's opportunity.

Next week: "The Prophet of the Lord" 1 Kings 18: 30-40. I will post the daily devotional reading for the lesson on this afternoon or Monday.

Please read the Sunday School Beacon for inspiration and encouragement.

The Old Man's Child: Selfishness

BLJ: The carnal heart is a selfish heart. I have seen this trait in everyone from the nursery worker, to the teacher, to the pastor, to the district superintendent. Selfishness is looking out for yourself and putting others behind you. This trait is always looking for the best of everything for yourself. Carnality is ugly. Thank God you can have it removed.

THE OLD MAN'S CHILDREN -- MR. SELFISHNESS

Mr. Selfishness, one of the most popular of father Old Man's many sons, thrives well in any climate. It is never too hot nor too cold, never too wet nor too dry for him to develop with amazing strides.
There is a strong family resemblance in all the children of Mr. Old Man. Son Selfishness has his own traits. His eyes are so focused that he can easily see the best of everything, his heart is so constituted that he enjoys getting the best for himself. He is old-hearted in his treatment of others, if he can only advance himself. He takes advantage of the weak, oppresses the poor, domineers the meek, is cruel towards the lame and blind and sick. All his ambitions, plans, and intrigues center around himself. He serves himself ever and always. If he ever gets liberal and gives away a pig it is to get back a hog for himself. If he ever turns a grindstone for a neighbor it is because he has an axe to grind for himself.
Mr. Selfishness can see the best chair in the room, the biggest piece of pie on the plate, the best paying church in the conference, the highest office in the district, the easiest task to do, the best part of the road when driving his car, the best room in the house, the best seat in the street car, the cream on the milk, etc. His eye is keener than the eye of an eagle when looking out for number one.
Like his brothers and sisters, he is a great church worker. He likes to control both pew and pulpit, he loves office, and uses the office to feather his own nest. You may find him in any office from the lowest to the highest. Joining forces with his father and grandfather, his brothers and sisters, he likes to run the church. Great is his popularity! His power is felt by all who love God and desire the church to be spiritual.

Like the rest of the family, he has a cordial hatred for the Bible, and is bitter against those who preach the Word. He has no use for the "Sword of the Spirit."

One Scripture that always causes him to have serious spells with his heart is "Love seeketh not her own." After the Holy Spirit wields this blade, he is utterly prostrated with heart trouble. And were it not for his father and grandfather, together with those who dope him with the opiates of hell, he would be willing to crawl off and die. Another blade that causes him sinking spells with his heart is, ''Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." After this truth is sent home to his heart, his friends must again dope him lest lie die. Equally fatal to his heart are such blades of the Sword of the Spirit as: "In honor preferring one another." "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love." "Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth." "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak." "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." "Be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted." "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." "In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."

Some traits that manifested selfishness. These statements are taken from living witnesses: 

SEEING THE
Biggest apple
Best chair
Best part of the road
Cream on the milk
Easiest and cleanest job
Place of boss
Place of mother's pet
Driver's seat
Best-paying church
Largest piece of pie
Prettiest dress
Place of comfort
Most of the candy
Best horse
Best auto
Head of things
Comfort of self
Best seat in the street car
Place of honor
Honor of the world
Praise of man
Best room
Best place at the table
Place of ease while mother worked
Best potatoes in barrel
Best of the trade
BEST OF EVERYTHING
FISHING FOR SELF ALL THE TIME AND EVERYWHERE