I've been challenged by pride a lot this past year. I've been convicted of it myself again and again, as well as teaching my kids how to recognize it in their hearts and actions. We all struggle with pride if we are on this Christian walk. If we say that we don't, then maybe we either aren't human or are perfect like Christ or we're extremely ignorant of the sinfulness of our own hearts.
Pride is spoken of in two ways mainly in the Bible. The bad pride which is the boasting (even if only in our head), looking down on others (because they think or act different from the way we think is right), thinking we are somehow better than others and the thoughts that go along with that (Psalms and Proverbs are full of references). And the good kind which is the pride after a hard job well done (Ecc. 5:18-20). As a friend mentioned, it would be good if these had different words for each, so they wouldn't be so confusing. The Websters 1828 definition of pride is even more extensive, and has 9 different facets.
James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith,
God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Recently Greg preached on how the law is needed to show us the gospel of Christ, and this is always good to remember as well. If we only hear how wonderful we are (as many preachers these days tend to preach, as it's easier to like), and we don't hear the law as well, then we can tend to think that we aren't as bad (or prideful) as we really are. The law (10 commandments for starters) shows us how much we fail in terms of God's unreachable standards. Thankfully as Lutherans, we have the Catechism that expands on these commandments even more for us, in case there was any doubt as to whether we can live up to the high standards that God has laid out for us. Philippians 2 gives a glimpse into how we should think and act (like Christ). I know I fall short of this every day in my attempts to be more Christlike.
Philippians 2:1-9 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
In the Pineapple Story, Otto Koning tells how when we think we own our personal things/possessions, our time, our reputation; these are forms of pride as well. What do we think we "deserve"? Who do we really love? Ourself? What measures do we take to protect these things? What is the cost (to our health, our relationships with Christ and with others) of trying to preserve these things? These talks really challenged our family on our pride, in such a good way. As Christians all we really deserve is death and destruction. We don't deserve happiness, outward peace, good health, lack of trials, or fulfilled hopes and dreams. None of it is guaranteed that I can find in the Bible. We are promised peace in our hearts and souls, and that God will be with us whatever we face, but our possessions, time and reputation all needs to be given over God if we want true happiness in our hearts. Easier said than done, but aren't we all a work in progress?
"Husbands, when your marriage gets hard it doesn’t mean you and your wife are incompatible. It doesn’t mean that you married the wrong woman. It means you and your wife have some much needed dying to do. We have to remember, Jesus didn’t come to torment our flesh, He came to kill it. Every violent or aggressive argument in your marriage is nothing more than the death throes of your own selfishness, pride, and anger. My pastor once told me, “You can’t argue with a humble person.” What a powerful truth. In our first few years of marriage, Veronica and I fought with our claws out. We exchanged hurt for hurt. For one season in particular, our marriage caused us more harm than healing. Today, however, through the power of the Holy Spirit, that Dale and that Veronica are dead. While we have not fully perfected the art of oneness, we have learned that our marriage has a 100% chance of survival if we just do it God’s way and not our own." ~Dale Partridge
On a secular note, last night Greg asked me to come and listen to a song which he was listening to, and so I did. It's called Husbands and Wives by Brooks and Dunn. That reminded me of another song called Foolish Pride by Travis Tritt. If even these country singers can hit the nail on the head of the results of how so many of us struggle with pride, why is this so hard for us to see in ourselves and admit? And if we do admit it, how come we all seem to struggle with the same things over and over again? What are we really fearing if we are scared to give up our rights and with it our pride? God does give us the power over all our pride, but the lessons don't come easy. It means dying to self just as the missionary George Muller describes below~
To one who asked him the secret of his service, George Muller said: “There was a day when I died, utterly died;” and, as he spoke, he bent lower and lower until he almost touched the floor-“died to George Muller, his opinions, preferences, tastes, and will- died to the world, its approval or censure- died to the approval or blame even of my brethren and friends-and since then I have studied only to show myself approved unto God.” -British Weekly
These hymns have been helping encourage me on this pride squelching, humility increasing journey~ I Surrender All, Have Thine Own Way Lord, Take My Life and Let it Be, Where He Leads Me, and Cleanse Me. May you be encouraged to daily kill that selfish pride, and follow Christ's example of humility, dying to self, ceasing of striving and strife, and seeking after humility and esteeming others better than ourselves in every way. It's backwards of what the world would teach, but we aren't of this world, are we?!
