The Instinct of Self-Preservation

Solomon says, “The person who labors, labors for himself, for his hungry mouth drives him on.” Prov. 16:26. It is natural, and in itself correct, that a certain instinct for self-preservation asserts itself when it concerns acquiring food, clothing, and shelter for the body, so that the body can be maintained, and can be useful for all good works.

However, there is also an instinct for self-preservation that concerns the soulish and spiritual area: the preservation and maintenance of the self-life that is meant to die as quickly as possible, the instinct for self-preservation that never performs a good work. On the contrary, it resists all good deeds just as Satan himself does.

Ambition and pride are typical examples of this corrupting instinct for self-preservation. It is the real reason for keeping alive that which should die, and for destroying or excluding the things that should live.

Many people have lost their entire life in God in this way. For example, they make a malicious remark about their neighbor, but instead of being humble and acknowledging and confessing it to the person concerned so that their relationship can be pure and good, they succumb to this malevolent desire for self-preservation because pride and ambition have kept them back from this small humiliation, which always and regularly results in great blessings.

It can go the same way if a person has said something that is not true. Pride and ambition cause him to squirm when it comes to acknowledging and confessing it and taking it back.

It is the same for a person who has made some kind of assertion that proves to be untenable later on—for example, that the body of sin has been taken away. This evil instinct for self-preservation will then assert itself by turning and twisting it, by explaining it and explaining it away according to all the rules of the game, in order to avoid the humiliation and the (temporary) loss of honor that follows the acknowledgment that his assertion was incorrect.

It is a gross misunderstanding to think that acknowledging as little as possible is the best way to keep your position. On the contrary, it is great gain to blacken yourself as perfectly as possible so you can truly occupy your rightful place according to the flesh: in the dust!

On this true foundation God has an opportunity to exalt a person in truth. He does not have an opportunity to do this on any foundation other than on His own laws.

The way of life goes through death to life, through humiliation and abasement to exaltation. This cannot be changed! Therefore it is vital to attack this false instinct for self-preservation, because you will only sink down when you seek to elevate yourself in this way!