SELF

(from "The Weaned Child" by Octavius Winslow)

"Surely I have behaved and quieted myself,
as a child that is weaned of his mother: my
soul is even as a weaned child." Psalm 131:2

The first object from which our heavenly
Father weans His child is from SELF. Of
all idols, this he finds hardest to abandon.

Idolatry of SELF has been the great
and universal crime of our race!

In the soul of the regenerate, divine grace
has done much to dethrone this idol, and
reinstate God. The work, however, is but
partially accomplished. The dishonored and
rejected rival is loath to relinquish his throne,
and yield to the supreme control and sway of
another. There is still much yet to be achieved
before this still indwelling and unconquered foe
lays down his weapons in entire subjection to
the will and authority of that Savior whose
throne and right He has usurped.

Much self love, self esteem, self confidence and
self seeking remain in the saved person's heart.

From all of this SELF, our Father seeks to wean us.

He would wean us.....
from our own wisdom, which is but folly;
from our own strength, which is but weakness;
from our own wills, which are often as an uncurbed steed;
from our own ways, which are crooked;
from our own hearts, which are deceitful;
from our own judgments, which are dark; and
from our own ends, which are narrow and selfish.