Pride: May 27, 2010

Today's Word for Thursday May 27, 2010

PRIDE

DEFINITION

A sense of one's own worth, undue self esteem, haughtiness.

SCRIPTURE

"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the PRIDE of life, is not of the Father but is of the world." I John 2:16

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

The apostle John was writing to believers that they might distinguish between truth and error that was creeping into the churches of that day. One of his great concerns was the pride that so many believers had, believing that what they had and what they had accomplished was because of their own efforts. John was exhorting all believers that pride was not of God but it is of this world and not acceptable in God's sight.

Paul also had a great concern about pride in the church. In his writing to Timothy in I Timothy 3:6, he was clearly stating what the qualifications were for bishops in the church of that day and that they must adhere to them. He made it clear that to be a leader in the church one could not be puffed up with pride lest he fall into the same condemnation by God as the devil did. Pride was Satan's downfall and he uses pride to keep us from a right relationship with God.

Jesus, when He was on this earth talking to the multitudes as recorded in Mark 7: 22 said that what comes out of a man's heart (with words) is what defiles that man. He clearly warned that out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride and foolishness. Take a careful look at the company that Jesus puts pride with. Pride is unacceptable with God.

James writes in James 4:6, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." As believers we need to constantly watch out for pride creeping into our lives.

There are many Proverbs that deal with the subject of pride. God has given these to us so we can be aware of pride in our lives and how He feels about pride. Proverbs 8:13 reads, "Pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate." In Proverbs 13:10 it reads, "With pride comes nothing but strife." Proverbs 16:18 tells us that, "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall." Finally in Proverbs 29:23 we are reminded that, "A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor."

God's Word has not one good thing to say about pride. Pride is hated by God and is destructive. Pride causes us to give ourselves the glory for things we accomplish. When we do not give God the glory for what He has given us and for what He enables us to do, He will remove His blessing from us. Pride will separate us from God.

Pride and arrogance quickly enter into a child's heart as well. Children love to brag that they are better or can do something better than their peers. They enjoy lording it over a brother or sister if they have something that the other does not have. Parents must teach their children that if they have been blessed to have something or have the ability or an opportunity to do something that they should be thankful and grateful to God because He is the source of all our blessings. God is the one who should receive the praise and glory for all we have.

LEARNING

Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 3:9.

"Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first fruits of all your increase."

PRAYER

Thank You dear Lord for these reminders as to how pride can affect my relationship with You. Help me to become more humble each day and may I honor You with any success in life that You give me.