Self-seeking blinds the soul that it cannot see a beauty in Christ, nor an excellency in holiness; it distempers the palate, that a man cannot taste sweetness in the word of God, nor in the ways of God, nor in the society of the people of God. It shuts the hand against all the soul-enriching offers of Christ; it hardens the heart against all the knocks and entreaties of Christ; it makes the soul as an empty vine, and as a barren wilderness: 'Israel is any empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit to himself (Hos. 10:1). There is nothing that speaks a man to be more empty and void of God, Christ, and grace, than self-seeking. The Pharisees were great self-seekers, and great undervaluers of Christ, his word and Spirit. There is not a greater hindrance to all the duties of piety than self-seeking. Oh! this is that that keeps many a soul from looking after God and the precious things of eternity. They cannot wait on God, nor act for God, nor abide in those ways wherein they might meet with God, by reason of self (p. 189).Incidentally, it is obvious that Brooks lived in primitive times. The masses, at that time, were not enlightened by the modern doctrine of self-esteem. But had Brooks lived in our enlightened times, how might he have put his instruction?
So let's meditate upon Phil. 2:3-11. And be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving ourselves (Jas. 1:22).
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