All in Pride
Do we humble ourselves before God during times of danger, and when we are in need of deliverance, or do we attempt to wield Him like a shining sword before our enemies? Pride, it is one of our greatest ills before God. We are not meant to hold Him over the heads of those who challenge us or those who frighten us, but are meant to call on Him as we seek to know His will, and to pray for His deliverance... even though we are unworthy.
God’s grace is such a precious thing when it flows into us through Christ, but even in humbly receiving this unearned gift we can sometimes be tempted into taking pride in it. Just when we feel the closest to righteousness we are tempted most by what might initially seem like a minor discomfort, or a subtle thought, yet soon is a painful sore rubbed raw by baseless pride, our sin.
What is it about ourselves that causes us to be prideful? Do you say “I am a self-made man!” And give speeches about how anyone can do what you have done if they only apply themselves as you have? Such conceit, and arrogance! Who gave you the mind you have, the wisdom and not a mental disability, or the body that is straight and not bent, and a land of opportunity in which to live rather than one of famine? What part did you play in any of this? All you are, and everything you have comes from God... be humble in your thanks.
Have you ever asked for healing prayer and received relief from your illness as a result? When this happened did you elevate those who prayed for you? If someone sick came to you for prayer, and as a result of your praying for them they were healed did you have a feeling of accomplishment as if you had done this, or felt some small part in the miracle? If either of these is true, then you have misappropriated God’s glory.
Have you realized what your greatest enemy has been using against your fortress of faith? Have you awakened to find that he has breached your walls and that you were the one who let him in? This is what happens when our own vanity become greater than our love for God, and this is what brings the Trojan horse into our city where we find it filled with our own pride.
When we look at Jesus we see a humble man, and yet at the Last Supper His disciples argued over which of them would be considered the best, or the greatest. This is an oxymoron... how can they want to be the greatest follower of a man of absolute humility; the greatest of the least? It is human nature to want to be the best at what we do... even if it is being humble. Is humility something you struggle with? Is placing your pride and conceit under subjugation impossible? Then turn to Jesus.
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.
Are you a servant to all those surrounding you? Have you humbled yourself sufficiently in order to put your own desires behind you, so that you can be obedient to the example that Jesus has placed before you? If so then God Bless you, but if not then take a long look at who you truly are. Do you see much difference in the person you once were and the one you are now?
How do you recognize a person who has given themselves completely over to God’s will? What one trait do you see in such saints? If you mull this over in your mind, you will come to one conclusion, and one conclusion only... humility. To become a servant you must first humble yourself, to obey God without reservation you must humble yourself, and to become a child of Our Heavenly Father, you must humble yourself before Him. Are you able to place God before ourself? Are you capable of embodying the absolute humility of Christ?