Desire 451
However good, praiseworthy and effective one’s walk and labor
may appear to be, if they are motivated by his ambition they are
nevertheless judged by God to be wood, hay and stubble. Such
conduct and exertion possess no spiritual worth. God deems a
believer’s craving for spiritual fame just as corrupt as his desiring
sin. If one walks according to his natural propensity he will esteem
himself well in everything he does; but God is most displeased with
this “self.”
This natural desire is equally active in other aspects of one’s walk.
His soulish life hankers after worldly conversation and intercourse. It
urges him to see what he should not see and read what he should not
read. He may not do these things habitually, yet because of a strong
urge within him he sometimes does what he knows he should not.
Soulish desire can also be detected in a person’s attitude. His
soulishness can be spotted even in his mannerism; for instance, in the
way he walks. Unquestionably it is discerned most easily in his
words and deeds. Now these are admittedly little things, but all who
faithfully walk after the spirit realize how impossible it is for them to
so walk should they be propelled in these matters by their soulish
desire. A Christian needs to remember that in spiritual affairs nothing
is too small to hinder his progress.
The more a person is spiritual the more real he becomes, for he
has been united with God and is at rest. But when one is goaded by
his natural life he becomes very pretentious. He carries a reckless
spirit and likes to do daring things in order to satisfy himself and
impress others. How he pretends to be mature and wise when
actually he is immature in many of his undertakings. He may regret
his pretension afterwards but for the moment he feels great, Anyone
who pursues such desires cannot avoid going off on a tangent.
Pleasure-loving also is a prominent manifestation of an emotional
believer. Our emotion cannot abide living wholly for God; it will
most certainly rebel against such a commitment. When a person