# Self — The Pursuit of God character guide

> Self in The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** It

**First appearance:** 0005-ii-the-blessedness-of-possessing-nothing

## Who they are

The ego or carnal nature that must be surrendered to God.

## Relationships

### [The Godhead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pursuit_of_god_se/characters/the_godhead)

_psychological_

The self is portrayed as the inner person striving to surrender and unite with the Godhead through spiritual discipline.

### [Jesus Christ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pursuit_of_god_se/characters/jesus_christ)

_psychological_

Jesus Christ is the model and goal for the self's transformation, calling the self to die and be reborn in Him.

### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pursuit_of_god_se/characters/unknown_narrator)

_psychological_

The self is the internal subject of the narrator's introspection, representing the human soul in its quest for God.

### [The Godhead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pursuit_of_god_se/characters/the_godhead)

_psychological_

The self is portrayed as the inner person striving to surrender and unite with the Godhead through spiritual discipline.

### [Jesus Christ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pursuit_of_god_se/characters/jesus_christ)

_psychological_

Jesus Christ is the model and goal for the self's transformation, calling the self to die and be reborn in Him.

### [Jesus Christ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pursuit_of_god_se/characters/jesus_christ)

_psychological_

Jesus Christ is the model and goal for the self's transformation, calling the self to die and be reborn in Him.

## In the story

### [II: The Blessedness of Possessing Nothing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pursuit_of_god_se/chapters/ii-the-blessedness-of-possessing-nothing)

The 'self-life' is identified as the enemy within, characterized by possessiveness and needing to be denied and crucified.

### [VII: The Gaze of the Soul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pursuit_of_god_se/chapters/vii-the-gaze-of-the-soul)

Referred to as the self-regarding focus that sin has twisted inward; faith redirects sight away from self to God.

### [Restoring the Creator-Creature Relation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pursuit_of_god_se/chapters/viii-restoring-the-creator-creature-relation)

The self is to be surrendered and decreased so that God may be exalted; the flesh whimpers against God's rigor.

### [IX: Meekness and Rest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pursuit_of_god_se/chapters/ix-meekness-and-rest)

The inner self that struggles with pride, pretense, and the desire to defend its own honor. The chapter addresses the burden of self-love.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pursuit_of_god_se/characters/self
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pursuit_of_god_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pursuit_of_god_se/characters