Pride

What is one thing that we rarely see in ourselves, but it is clearly seen by others?

Pride.

It takes a really hard look and a sincere asking of God to shine a light on it (just like He had to do with Paul on the Road to Damascus). It's a painful experience falling off of a "high horse" and being blinded by the very light that frees us, but the outcome far outweighs the temporal pain because...

 …pride destroys.

Pride is a repellant for a healthy relationship. Its very presence shuts those around us down. It sprays out unspoken venom that says "You're inadequate and will never measure up to my perfection. Your opinion does not matter. You will always be a little lower than me. Don’t oppose my thoughts or I will reject or withhold from you.”

Prideful people won't admit it, but they don't want to hear about someone else's success. It repulses them. They choke on seeing anyone else succeed or possibly stand out brighter than themselves. They can frequently talk about themselves and their accomplishments but if someone else does "they are too into themselves." When sharing about yourself or another person, a prideful person will overtake the conversation by either "upping" the other person or somehow turning the whole conversation back to themselves where the initial subject matter somehow vanishes.

Prideful people belittle, argue, always have an opposing argument (not allowing others the right to their own opinions without snide remarks or looks of disgust), cause dissensions, make light of other's pain, lack compassion, struggle with sincere apologies, always an excuse for their wrongdoing, and silence is a rare act. (1Timothy 6:4, Proverbs 11:12)

Let's see what the Bible says:

 1. It is an abomination to God; will not go unpunished (Proverbs 16:5)

2. It is deceiving (Galatians 6:3)

3. More hope for a fool (Proverbs 26:12)

4. Brings destruction (Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 18:12, Proverbs 29:23, Psalm 31:23)

5. God Himself opposes us (James 4:6)

6. Lack understanding, unteachable (2 Corinthians 10:12, Proverbs 15:12)

7. Not approved of God (2 Corinthians 10:18)

8. Lacks love (1 Corinthians 13:4)

9. Clean in their own eyes, but not God's (Proverbs 30:12)

10. Become fools (Romans 1:22)

For the sake of your reading time, I will stop there, but the Scriptures are seemingly endless on the subject. Fact of the matter is, if we don't pay close attention and deal with the pride in our lives, God will. Rather than having the very One we need on our side, we place ourselves on His opposing team. Remember Lucifer? He was cast out of God's presence because of what? His pride. God resists the proud. I don't know about you, but I do not want Him pushing me but rather pulling me to Himself.

This unapproachable, unteachable bubble we are encompassed in will ultimately kill everything around us. The very one we exulted above others and their feelings will be all we are left with (Proverbs 12:9). It's scriptural and it's no joking matter. Better to humble ourselves than to be humbled by God. (Luke 14:11)

Father, our pride keeps us from hearing You. It keeps us from learning. It keeps us from healthy relationships. It shuts others out. It causes us to ignore the needs of others and become calloused to their pains.  It blinds us from seeing others as You do. It makes us zero in on their wrongdoings and have a “they deserve it” mentality. We fail to realize that we too deserve nothing in and of ourselves, but because of Your mercy, you have blessed us anyway.

We choose today to humble ourselves, to compare ourselves to Your perfection rather than to the accomplishments or lack thereof of others.  We want a true change in our hearts, Lord… not a false humility where we get in the “ditch” and go the other direction with a “Woe is me. I’m a worthless sinner.” We know that is not Your will either. We can be confident in You and what You do through us as long as it is never at the expense of hurting others or making light of what You are doing in them as well. We need Your help, Lord. We submit to Your ways and ask You to reveal to us when pride rears its ugly head. We want it completely eradicated from our lives in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

"One with true humility willfully washes the feet of those who chose the muddy path – remembering that they too have been washed." ~etb