In this series of postings, I’m focusing on issues that Christians are facing today. “Pride” is definitely a major topic that needs our attention and self-examination.
Pride opens the door for everything else that is not healthy for our spirit, to come in. The same sin that got Satan kicked out of heaven is the same one that causes so much separation in the church today. The church can become sick when this happens, and it’s sometimes hard to admit.
With any problem or habitual sin, a person has to admit they are ill before they can realize their need for healing.
When we have a distorted view of who God is, we will not give Him the reverence and respect that is due to Him. As a result, arrogance will be free to develop until we suffer the consequences of pride. To change a distorted view, we need to adopt a correct view of God and revise any false beliefs we may have.
The false beliefs of a prideful person can include, thinking we are better than others, thinking we are indispensable, and believing that our accomplishments and position entitle us to special favor. Such beliefs are all self-centered, self-appreciating, and degrading to others. Yet our identity in Christ is not to be one of selfish ambition and pride but rather one of self-denial and grace-filled humility.
Romans 12:3 (ESV), “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.”
God wants His people to be living examples of His love to others. Yet pride is the single greatest obstacle to loving people. God will help with any pride problem a person may have. So there needs to be a realization that God is infinitely superior to us, and that He is absolutely perfect and we are not.
As a sinner it’s not a person’s natural ability to be humble and to show grace. To actually become humble, it’s very difficult, if not impossible, to do so without some “outside help.” What type of “outside” help am I talking about? The outside help is God. There is no other help that makes us humble and allows us to show grace.
Jesus is our ultimate example of humility. Philippians 2:8-11 tells us that out of obedience to His Father, He humbled Himself all the way to the point of death on the cross. The Bible says because of this that God exalted Him just like how the Word says He will exalt us.
1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV) says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
Once we realize there is a problem and that we need assistance, we can start this process by asking God for His help.
Be diligent and always look for the truth.
Blessings,
Pastor Chuck
Pride opens the door for everything else that is not healthy for our spirit, to come in. The same sin that got Satan kicked out of heaven is the same one that causes so much separation in the church today. The church can become sick when this happens, and it’s sometimes hard to admit.
With any problem or habitual sin, a person has to admit they are ill before they can realize their need for healing.
When we have a distorted view of who God is, we will not give Him the reverence and respect that is due to Him. As a result, arrogance will be free to develop until we suffer the consequences of pride. To change a distorted view, we need to adopt a correct view of God and revise any false beliefs we may have.
The false beliefs of a prideful person can include, thinking we are better than others, thinking we are indispensable, and believing that our accomplishments and position entitle us to special favor. Such beliefs are all self-centered, self-appreciating, and degrading to others. Yet our identity in Christ is not to be one of selfish ambition and pride but rather one of self-denial and grace-filled humility.
Romans 12:3 (ESV), “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.”
God wants His people to be living examples of His love to others. Yet pride is the single greatest obstacle to loving people. God will help with any pride problem a person may have. So there needs to be a realization that God is infinitely superior to us, and that He is absolutely perfect and we are not.
As a sinner it’s not a person’s natural ability to be humble and to show grace. To actually become humble, it’s very difficult, if not impossible, to do so without some “outside help.” What type of “outside” help am I talking about? The outside help is God. There is no other help that makes us humble and allows us to show grace.
Jesus is our ultimate example of humility. Philippians 2:8-11 tells us that out of obedience to His Father, He humbled Himself all the way to the point of death on the cross. The Bible says because of this that God exalted Him just like how the Word says He will exalt us.
1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV) says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
Once we realize there is a problem and that we need assistance, we can start this process by asking God for His help.
Be diligent and always look for the truth.
Blessings,
Pastor Chuck
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