The Dangers of Spiritual Life 359
ought to understand how the various parts of their being operate or
they shall not be able to distinguish the spiritual from the soulical.
When thinking, they should recognize the source of their thought; in
feeling, they should detect the direction from which such feeling
comes; and in working, they should be clear as to what strength they
use. Only thus can they follow the spirit.
We know our soul provides us with self-consciousness. One
aspect of self-consciousness is self-examination. This is most
harmful since it causes us to focus upon ourselves and thereby
enhance the growth of self life. How often self-exaltation and pride
are the consequences of such self-examination. But there is a kind of
analysis of incalculable help to the spiritual pilgrimage. Without it
we are incompetent to know who we really are and what we are
following. Harmful self-examination revolves around one’s own
success or defeat, stimulating attitudes of self-pride or self-pity.
Profitable analysis searches only the source of one’s thought, feeling
or desire. God wishes us to be delivered from self-consciousness, but
at the same time He certainly does not intend for us to live on earth
as people without intelligent awareness. We must not be overly self-
conscious, yet we must apprehend the true condition of all our
inward parts through the knowledge accorded us by the Holy Spirit.
It is positively necessary for us to search out our activities with our
heart.
Many regenerated believers seem unconscious of possessing a
spirit. Though they do have one, they simply are not conscious of it.
Perhaps they have spiritual sense but they do not realize such sense
arises from the spirit. What every truly born-again person should rely
on for living is the life of the spirit. If we are willing to be taught, we
shall know what is our spiritual sense. One thing is unmistakable: the
soul is affected by outside influences, but not the spirit. For example,
when the soul is provided with beautiful scenery, serene nature,
inspiring music, or many other phenomena pertaining to the external
world, it can be moved instantly and respond strongly. Not so the