It is so often self who tries to live the Christian life. No wonder we need breaking. As long as self is in control, God can do little with us.

The Spirit's fullness is not the reward of our faithfulness, but God's gift for our defeat. He was not given to the disciples in Acts 28 as the culmination and reward of their wonderful service, but in Acts 2 when they had proved themselves cowards, meeting behind closed doors.