The old movie was a tragic story of pride. An older sergeant realizes the war effort was lost and tried to preserve as many lives of his men as possible from the futile final efforts of the battle. An younger officer, newly arrived, wanted to return home with medals and glory, leading him to foolishly send men into meaningless engagements. It was a dramatic illustration of a destructive impulse that is common among us.
Pride in our place, face, or race creeps up on us, infecting every thought like a virus. Paradoxically, pride often grows out of a lack of genuine self-esteem, feelings of inferiority, or repeated rejection.
I believe that more Christians shipwreck on the rocky shores of pride than because of lust, greed, laziness, and apathy combined!
Pride insists “I’m right” and cuts off those who ask questions.
Pride wears the masks of ambition, rigid discipline that produces many good works.
Pride says “I am better than you.”
God warns that “Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.” (Proverbs 18:12, NIV) James teaches that the gateway to grace is found in humility. “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.” (James 4:7, NLT)
We tolerate pride as the ‘acceptable’ sin, calling it by many other names. It is most difficult to discern in ourselves but plainly obvious in others It blinds me to my own foibles but gives me the eye of an eagle to see the stains on another’s character.
Pride corrupts our desire for excellence by convincing us that we work, not to serve our purpose or use our gifts, but instead to prove our worth. It will rob us of the ability to enjoy our place causing us to constantly compare ourselves to others; envying some, treating others with disdain. The appeal to Eve in the Garden was built around it. Solomon was deceived by it. It finds a home among the rich and the poor, the powerful and the servant.
This sin, according to Isaiah, was in the heart of the most noble angel and caused his banishment from the Presence of God. “How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’ Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths. Everyone there will stare at you and ask, ‘Can this be the one who shook the earth and made the kingdoms of the world tremble?” (Isaiah 14:12-16, NLT)
There is only one way to defeat pride- making the choice to worship, confessing that we are owned by our Creator, saved only by our Savior, and kept by the work of the Spirit. Serving others is a good choice, but even the choice to take second place or to do that which is of low esteem can feed pride’s ravenous appetite. Only quiet confession, kneeling and waiting before the Lord, allows the Spirit to break us out of the grasp of prise.
When the Spirit whispers a warning to our heart about a proud attitude, when need to find a quiet retreat. When we find ourselves looking desperately for affirmation, craving a word of praise, we know that we are but a step from pride and it is time to find a place with the Lord where He renews our joy in serving for His honor.
Our model is Christ Jesus of Whom the Scripture says, “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names.” (Philippians 2:4-9, NLT)
Want to know if pride has taken root in you? Here are some ways to come to a better understanding of yourself.
-Will I readily accept correction?
-Am I quick to take offense?
-Do I spend much effort to conceal my flaws?
-Do my words encourage?
-Will I celebrate the successes of others?
Kneel before you stand. Listen before you speak. Give trusted friends permission to speak ‘truth’ to you at all times.
Take this word from the Word and let it preserve you from this subtle sin. “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. It is better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.” (Proverbs 16:18-19, NLT)
(Video of this blog at this link)
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Jesus keep me near the cross
There a precious fountain
Free to all a healing stream
Flows from Calv’ry’s mountain
In the cross in the cross
Be my glory ever
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river
Near the cross a trembling soul
Love and mercy found me
There the Bright and Morning Star
Sheds its beams around me
Fanny Jane Crosby
© Words: Public Domain
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