If we get into a dispute with another person, we should be willing to look at what we have done that may have contributed to the dispute. “Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.” – Proverbs 13:10. Today’s blog entry deals with pride.
For the purpose of this blog entry, I’m referring to the negative form of pride (as opposed to talking about a person taking pride in doing good work, etc.). An individual can display pride in a number of ways such as: refusing to admit when they were wrong about something, being unwilling to accept help when they need it, etc. Sometimes as humans we can get comfortable doing things a certain way, and seeing things from our perspective. However as Christians, we should be led by what God’s Word says, instead of being led by the way we feel. It’s important that we keep our composure. If someone says something critical about you, don’t allow it to cause you to lose your cool. Sometimes a person may genuinely be trying to help you improve in a certain area. There may also be times when a person isn’t trying to help you grow, but rather just being negative. Either way, we should make sure that we respond in a way that represents God. I would recommend praying for God’s guidance to know the difference between a person that is genuinely trying to help you grow, and a person that is just being negative. I’m definitely not advocating verbal abuse; but rather saying that we should be receptive to the people that God sends into our lives to help us grow.
“But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:” –Daniel 5:20
Regardless of how much success we attain, we should always remember that God is the one who has given us the ability to have success (See Deuteronomy 8:18). We should always honor and reverence God, giving Him the proper credit that He deserves. It’s important that we don’t allow the gifts that God has blessed us with to cause us to become arrogant. As it says in Matthew 23:12, “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”
God knows our heart, He sees our true intentions. So let’s make sure that we avoid pride, and give God the glory in our lives.
“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” - James 4:6
For the purpose of this blog entry, I’m referring to the negative form of pride (as opposed to talking about a person taking pride in doing good work, etc.). An individual can display pride in a number of ways such as: refusing to admit when they were wrong about something, being unwilling to accept help when they need it, etc. Sometimes as humans we can get comfortable doing things a certain way, and seeing things from our perspective. However as Christians, we should be led by what God’s Word says, instead of being led by the way we feel. It’s important that we keep our composure. If someone says something critical about you, don’t allow it to cause you to lose your cool. Sometimes a person may genuinely be trying to help you improve in a certain area. There may also be times when a person isn’t trying to help you grow, but rather just being negative. Either way, we should make sure that we respond in a way that represents God. I would recommend praying for God’s guidance to know the difference between a person that is genuinely trying to help you grow, and a person that is just being negative. I’m definitely not advocating verbal abuse; but rather saying that we should be receptive to the people that God sends into our lives to help us grow.
“But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:” –Daniel 5:20
Regardless of how much success we attain, we should always remember that God is the one who has given us the ability to have success (See Deuteronomy 8:18). We should always honor and reverence God, giving Him the proper credit that He deserves. It’s important that we don’t allow the gifts that God has blessed us with to cause us to become arrogant. As it says in Matthew 23:12, “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”
God knows our heart, He sees our true intentions. So let’s make sure that we avoid pride, and give God the glory in our lives.
“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” - James 4:6