[b]Self-sins
(A. W. Tozer, "The Pursuit of God")
"Love is not self-seeking." 1 Cor. 13:5
"They preach with selfish ambition,
not sincerely." Philippians 1:17
To be specific, the self-sins are . . .
self-righteousness,
self-pity,
self-confidence,
self-sufficiency,
self-admiration,
self-love
and a host of others like them.
The grosser manifestations of these self-sins . . .
egotism,
exhibitionism (attracting attention to oneself),
self-promotion,
are strangely tolerated in Christian leaders,
even in circles of impeccable orthodoxy! They are
so much in evidence as actually, for many people,
to become identified with the gospel. They appear
to be a requisite for popularity in some sections of
the visible church. Promoting self under the guise
of promoting Christ, is currently so common as to
excite little notice.
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit."
Philippians 2:3
"But those who exalt themselves will be humbled,
and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
Matthew 23:12