War on Pride

“Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.” Proverbs 16:5

February 7, 2023

Wisdom tells us that God has declared war on human pride. As Christians we are called to humility. At the outset we have a problem. One, humility is not exactly at the top of the most favored character traits in our culture. Some of us admire it when we see it because we don’t see it that often. Secondly, we have a pride problem in our own natural selves. It comes in many disguises. A sense of moral superiority can get a free pass because there is so much immorality to be in-sensed about. Doses of “there but for the grace of God go I” at the least can keep us in touch with spiritual realities. Underneath pride’s many faces are vain glory, boasting, presumption, haughtiness, scoffing, and self-seeking. Linger over this thought: The refusal to submit to God and to choose man’s way over God’s way of thinking and doing things is asking for a bruising from God. Do I have an inflated view of my importance, gifts and abilities? Do I talk too much about myself? “Pride is spiritual cancer: it eats up the very possibility of love, or contentment, or even common sense” (C.S. Lewis). We need a biblical battle plan. Talk to God about the matter of pride. Confess known instances of prideful behavior. Get your mind on the goodness and greatness of God and think about the needs of others.
H
“(Pride) is a spiritual drunkenness; it flies up like wine into the brain and intoxicates it. It is idolatry; a proud man is a self-worshiper.” Puritan, Thomas Watson