aforementioned: we are not to seek our own desires, but rather, the
the Holy Spirit, so that the individual no longer lives for themselves but Christ lives and reigns within them (Galatians 2:20).
2. Therefore, we derive another profound principle from the aforementioned: we are not to seek our own desires, but rather, the will of the Lord, acting with the aim of promoting His glory. Tremendous is our progress when, almost forgetting ourselves and setting aside our own reasoning, we faithfully devote ourselves to obeying God and His commandments. For when Scripture instructs us to cast aside self-centeredness, it not only frees our minds from excessive yearnings for wealth, power, or human favor but also uproots all ambition and thirst for worldly recognition, along with other hidden perils. The Christian, indeed, ought to be so trained and inclined as to recognize that their entire life is in constant connection with God. Therefore, just as they bring all things under God's authority and assessment, they will devoutly direct their entire minds toward Him. For the one who has learned to look to God in everything they do is simultaneously shielded from all empty thoughts. This is the essence of self-denial that Christ powerfully instills in His disciples from the very beginning (Matthew 16:24). Once it takes hold of the mind, there is no room left for pride, pretense, or ostentation. Nor does it provide any space for avarice, lust, luxury, effeminacy, or other vices that are nurtured by self-love. On the contrary, where self-denial reigns not, the most loathsome vices are indulged in shamelessly. And even if there is some semblance of virtue, it is corrupted by a depraved longing for applause. Show me, if you can, an individual who, unless they have renounced themselves in obedience to the Lord's command, is genuinely inclined to do good solely for the sake of goodness itself. Those who have not renounced themselves have pursued virtue, at least to be praised. Even the philosophers who vehemently argued that virtue should be desired for its own sake were so consumed by arrogance that it became evident they sought virtue for no other reason than to indulge in pride. Far from delighting in these seekers of popular acclaim with their inflated chests, God declares that they have received their reward in this world (Matthew 6:2) and that