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The following are some expressions of the self (see Hymns, #866, stanzas 5 and 6):
ａ
With the self there are ambition, pride, and self-exaltation (Matt. 20:20-28; 1 Pet. 5:5; Rom. 12:3; Num. 12:1-10; 16:1-3; Phil. 2:3-4).
ｂ
With the self there are self-righteousness, self-justification, and exposing, criticizing, and condemning others (Matt. 9:10-13; Luke 18:9-14; 1 Pet. 4:8; John 3:17; 8:11; Luke 6:37; Matt. 7:1-5).
ｃ
With the self there are introspection and self-despising (S.S. 2:8-9; 1 Cor. 12:15-16).
ｄ
When we are in the self, we can be offended by the church, the leading ones, or the saints (Matt. 6:14-15; 18:21-35; Mark 11:25-26; Col. 3:13).
ｅ
With the self there are disappointment and discouragement (cf. Rom. 8:28-29; 2 Cor. 4:1).
ｆ
With the self there are self-love, self-preservation, self-seeking, and self-pity (Matt. 13:5, 20-21).
ｇ
With the self there are murmurings and reasonings (Exo. 16:1-9; Phil. 2:14).
ｈ
With the self there is natural affection (friendship) based on natural taste and preference (Matt. 12:46-50; Phil. 2:2b; 1 Cor. 12:25).
ｉ
With the self there are the matters of being opinionated and dissenting (John 11:21, 23-28, 39; Acts 15:35-39; cf. 1 Cor. 7:25, 40).
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When we are in the self, we are individualistic and independent (16:12).
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If we exercise the key of denying the self to lock up the self, it is impossible for us to be offended; blessed are those who are not offended (cf. Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60):
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If we can be offended, it is proof that we are full of self.
ｂ
If my self has been locked up, I will not be offended no matter what you do to me or how you treat me (Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60).
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We need to learn to exercise the key of denying the self to lock up the self in every situation:
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Whether a situation is for us or against us, whether the brothers love us or hate us, we must lock up the self (2 Cor. 12:15).
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If the self is locked up, the church will be built up.
Morning Nourishment
Luke 23:34 And Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing...Phil. 2:3 Doing nothing by way of selfish ambition nor by way of vainglory, but in lowliness of mind considering one another more excellent than yourselves.
It is a very serious matter to be offended. Do not casually say, “I have been offended in the church life. The elders and other leading ones have offended me.” Although others may offend you, you will always be the first to suffer. On the one hand, I condemn all the offenses; but on the other hand, I must say that there is no excuse for your being offended. If we were not in ourselves, we could not be offended. If I exercise the key of self-denial to lock up the self, it will be impossible for me to be offended. The reason we are offended is that the self is so open and prevailing. Through the open gate of the self, Satan comes forth, and we are offended.
Whether the church is right or wrong, it is still the church. Although you may be offended by something or someone in the church, do not make any excuses for yourself. This frustrates the building up of the church. (CWWL, 1978, vol. 1, “The Exercise of the Kingdom for the Building of the Church,” p. 72)
Today's Reading
We may talk a great deal about the building. However, when certain things take place to touch us, the self is open. Because we are open to Hades, something from Hades—Satan—comes out. How we need to use the key of self-denial to lock the self!...Blessed are those who are not offended.There is no excuse for being offended. When the Lord Jesus comes and sets up His judgment seat, He will tell us to settle our account with Him. He may ask us why we were offended in certain places. But if we make excuses for ourselves, the Lord will not accept them. The problem is not the offense—it is the self....If you can be offended, it is a proof that you are full of self. If my self has been locked up, I will not be offended no matter what you do to me or how you treat me.
I am glad that in the churches we have the brothers' houses and the sisters' houses. But, through experience, we have realized that there are two kinds of results from living in such a house. Some form natural friendships; others become dissatisfied and disappointed....To be disappointed is a proof that you are in the self....If the self is locked up, we shall have the building. If you exercise the key of self-denial, others may be offended, but you will not be offended. Instead, you will be built up because the self in you has been locked up. We all need to use the prevailing key of self-denial to lock the self, the soul, and the mind. Otherwise, the building up of the church will be frustrated. (CWWL, 1978, vol. 1, “The Exercise of the Kingdom for the Building of the Church,” pp. 72-74)
It is very difficult not to have self-confidence. If we did not have self-confidence, our will might be weak. But we have to realize that self-confidence is fleshly....When we use the term self-righteousness, we do not mean self-justice.
Someone who is self-righteous always considers that he is right. We use self-righteousness in the sense of someone thinking that he is never wrong but always right....Self-justification is another characteristic of the flesh....The desire to convince others that we are right, to vindicate ourselves, is also of the flesh....Self-exaltation is another characteristic of the flesh. Thus, we can see that self-confidence, self-righteousness, self-justification, self-vindication, and self-exaltation are all aspects of the flesh....We must help the saints to realize that in the church service, we have to condemn self-confidence, self-righteousness, self-justification, self-vindication, and self-exaltation. There should be nothing of the self in the church service. When we have these aspects of the self, we are absolutely fleshly, and the Spirit, the holy anointing oil, has nothing to do with us. If we are so self-confident, self-righteous, self-justifying, self-vindicating, and self-exalting, we lose the Spirit. (CWWL, 1979, vol. 2, “Basic Lessons on Service,” p. 129)
Further Reading: CWWL, 1978, vol. 1, “The Exercise of the Kingdom for the Building of the Church,” ch. 4