02/16/2018
Do you let your pride get in the way of your faith? Do you take pleasure in the praise of others when the glory is truly God’s, or perhaps value the praise of men over that of God Himself? The simplest lack of humility is a sure ingredient in a major lack of faith. Pride places self over God.
“How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?”
John 5:44 ESV
So often people seek the fleeting glory offered in this earthly life over the eternity that God offers; eternal loss for a brief flash of praise or glory. We like to look at the famous or infamous, and say “yes, but that isn’t me”... yet it is, or, we are teetering on the brink of such a fall.
If you are a sailor you understand how little diesel fuel it takes to contaminate the drinking water for a huge ship. World War II sailors were told that all it took was a single teaspoon. Water companies around the world warn of the same thing with equally impressive numbers regarding heating oil and ground water. This is the power of the smallest exercise of pride over humility.
We have all read a book, or watched a movie in which a weak and unlikely character suddenly steps forward and shocks everyone with a single act of bravery or heroism that wins the day, or saves the true hero. It is impactful because it takes this tiniest act, and redefined a life of weakness or inability. Pride can affect our faith in a similar manner; it can take a life of faithful humility and serving God, and shoot a firework of failure over it. The loss of our humility takes much prayer and contrition to overcome because our pride has instantly driven a stake deep into the heart of who we were. It is like our thumb that is held out to overshadow the sun; pride eclipses our faith in the eye of God and all those who know us.
“A little leaven leavens the whole lump.”
Galatians 5:9 ESV
Humility for some comes easy, but for others is a lifelong struggle. Pride lurks at every turn to undo us. It is like a curse word that is right there on the tip of your tongue in a moment of pain, or a fleeting thought of jealousy when you see someone achieve great success... pride is a relentless pursuer of our faith. It is the “go to” device of Satan in his effort to dethrone God within us. This is no secret, not from man, and not from God, it is a weakness that a simple scratch of our surface reveals... so can you control it? Can you avoid making pride the fruit of your deeds?
“"I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds." Like the partridge that gathers a brood that she did not hatch, so is he who gets riches but not by justice; in the midst of his days they will leave him, and at his end he will be a fool.”
Jeremiah 17:10-11 ESV
In the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, Jesus teaches us that pride is alive in those of faith, and in the church today. It has undone Pastors and Popes alike... and it runs rampant in the pews every Sunday. We profess humility and yet take pride in our piety. Pride, it is a snare set for all men and women; saints and sinners alike. It destroys the humility that allows us to subjugate ourselves... it is the nemesis of faith.
“The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'”
Luke 18:11-13 ESV
So the battle rages within us. The traps and snares are scattered about, and we must take great care in how we move amongst them. Are you able to make your humility the armor of your faith? Can your prayers for a humble posture before God stretch into your everyday life? When God searches your heart who will He see... the Pharisee or the Tax Collector?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the humble nature of your Son Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord for the example He is in all matters of faith, but especially in humility. He teaches us that pride undoes us, and destroys our ability to place you first in our lives. Holy Father, no throne is built to seat two Kings, and there is no room in our lives of faith for both the worship of self and you. Forgive my pride Merciful Father, for in it I have surely sinned. Help me to overcome my own desires and selfishness, and teach me how to assume a posture of humility in all things. This Sovereign Father places you before all things in my life, and brings my self into subjugation before you. Build a hedge around my humility, and protect it from sudden attack; keep Satan from tempting me with my own abilities, and luring me with the strong drink of pride. You are my God, and before you I am prostrate in prayer and supplication. Holy, Holy, Holy are you, and always to be praised.
Rich Forbes