Pride
Hebrews 12:1 NKJV — Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
When thinking of sin, it's important to realize the greatest temptation to sin is in the area of pride. Satan, the father of rebellion, is noted for pride leading to his rebellion. All other sin is rooted in pride.
It's easy to console myself that I'm not giving in to impurity or theft or lying, but miss the glaring log in my eye of pride. Pride is slipperiest of deceptions. It often wraps itself in rights and a false sense of justice. Pride can justify self elevation because it "helps the cause of the kingdom". Pride hides in the shadows of our strongest desires for recognition, validation, and to have a positive impact. In Jesus' kingdom, the means justify the end, not the other way around. I am being refined. The means of that happening matter.
Humility cries out to God for vengeance and waits on the Lord for inheritance. Pride orchestrates our own vengeance and the receiving of our inheritance in impatience, feeling justified and falsely righteous..
Proverbs 8:13 NKJV — The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate
Luke 18 NKJV - 1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.3 “Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’4 “And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man,5 ‘yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said.7 “And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?8 “I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.11 “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.12 ‘I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’13 “And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’14 “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.17 “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
Good news! Pride is overcome just like any other sin. When I realize pride in my life, I admit it, I confess it to Jesus, I turn from it as fully as I can, and I ask Jesus to lead into humility. I press delete and start again.
When thinking of sin, it's important to realize the greatest temptation to sin is in the area of pride. Satan, the father of rebellion, is noted for pride leading to his rebellion. All other sin is rooted in pride.
It's easy to console myself that I'm not giving in to impurity or theft or lying, but miss the glaring log in my eye of pride. Pride is slipperiest of deceptions. It often wraps itself in rights and a false sense of justice. Pride can justify self elevation because it "helps the cause of the kingdom". Pride hides in the shadows of our strongest desires for recognition, validation, and to have a positive impact. In Jesus' kingdom, the means justify the end, not the other way around. I am being refined. The means of that happening matter.
Humility cries out to God for vengeance and waits on the Lord for inheritance. Pride orchestrates our own vengeance and the receiving of our inheritance in impatience, feeling justified and falsely righteous..
Proverbs 8:13 NKJV — The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate
Luke 18 NKJV - 1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.3 “Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’4 “And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man,5 ‘yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said.7 “And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?8 “I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.11 “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.12 ‘I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’13 “And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’14 “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.17 “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
Good news! Pride is overcome just like any other sin. When I realize pride in my life, I admit it, I confess it to Jesus, I turn from it as fully as I can, and I ask Jesus to lead into humility. I press delete and start again.
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