Pride
March 20, 2013
Pride. Plagues us all doesn't it. It catches us when we are least aware of it and attacks us in the most surprising of places. While we may not care about what prestigious school we go to, what high paying job we may or may not obtain, what intelligent career we pursue, how famous/popular/attractive of a spouse we were able to marry, or how big of a house or nice of a car we have...it may catch us in areas where we'd think we'd be safe from it.
The comparing of your spiritual testimony with someone else's. The comparing of who is wiser. Who knows more. Who reads more. Who is better known in the Christian circle. Who is more holy, kind, or serving. The judging of others who are 'less spiritual' than you.
Even the desire to be known as one who lives solely to the love & glory of God -- is it a pure desire? Is there something within the desire a need to be known and affirmed by people? What if God calls you to a place where no one knows how great your devotion and love to God is, but God? What if all you did goes without being seen by people and you never become the next Mother Teresa? Is God's commendation of you enough for you? Or do we want to be acclaimed and known?
The desire to do full time ministry, or some kind of ministry. Is it pure? Are we ready? What if God calls you to what seems to be an unfruitful ministry? What if the numbers never increase? The people never find you to be a leader? What if the people that you invest your life in, one day reject you and force you out of their area? What if they betray and misunderstand you despite all the pouring out of your life you have done? Or is there something more that you want in doing ministry -- in being known and acclaimed as a successful Christian leader?
Pride. Plagues us all doesn't it. It catches us when we are least aware of it and attacks us in the most surprising of places. While we may not care about what prestigious school we go to, what high paying job we may or may not obtain, what intelligent career we pursue, how famous/popular/attractive of a spouse we were able to marry, or how big of a house or nice of a car we have...it may catch us in areas where we'd think we'd be safe from it.
The comparing of your spiritual testimony with someone else's. The comparing of who is wiser. Who knows more. Who reads more. Who is better known in the Christian circle. Who is more holy, kind, or serving. The judging of others who are 'less spiritual' than you.
Even the desire to be known as one who lives solely to the love & glory of God -- is it a pure desire? Is there something within the desire a need to be known and affirmed by people? What if God calls you to a place where no one knows how great your devotion and love to God is, but God? What if all you did goes without being seen by people and you never become the next Mother Teresa? Is God's commendation of you enough for you? Or do we want to be acclaimed and known?
The desire to do full time ministry, or some kind of ministry. Is it pure? Are we ready? What if God calls you to what seems to be an unfruitful ministry? What if the numbers never increase? The people never find you to be a leader? What if the people that you invest your life in, one day reject you and force you out of their area? What if they betray and misunderstand you despite all the pouring out of your life you have done? Or is there something more that you want in doing ministry -- in being known and acclaimed as a successful Christian leader?
12Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. 13No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10)Pride. It appears in the most unlikely of places. The devil is cunning. But our God is greater. So let us be mindful of where we stand. Let us self examined through His Word and His Spirit. And let us subject ourselves to the double-edged sword.
Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. (Proverbs 16: 18)Father God, keep me from stumbling, keep me from falling. Continue to search my heart and reveal to me the areas in which pride has taken root and has corrupted my one and only desire to glorify You in all I do.
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