It seems almost on a continual basis I see the effects of pride and arrogance around me, and sadly even in my own life at times. Why is pride such a major issue in our Christian world?
I found this quote by Charles Spurgeon to be helpful:
When men have ridden the high horse
(Charles Spurgeon)
"I hate pride and arrogance!" Proverbs 8:13
"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before
a fall." Proverbs 16:18
The wise man teaches us that a haughty heart is the
prophetic prelude of a downfall. When men have ridden
the high horse, destruction has always overtaken them.
See Nebuchadnezzar, the mighty builder of Babylon,
creeping on the ground, devouring grass like oxen,
until his nails had grown like bird's claws, and his hair
like eagle's feathers. Pride made the boaster a beast;
as once before it made an angel a devil.
God hates proud looks, and never fails to bring them down!
All the arrows of God are aimed at proud hearts!
O Christian, is your heart haughty? Are you glorying in your
graces or your abilities? Are you proud of yourself, that you
have had holy frames and sweet experiences? Mark it, there
is a destruction coming to you also! Your 'flaunting poppies
of self-conceit' will be pulled up by the roots! Your 'mushroom
graces' will wither in the burning heat! Your self-sufficiency
shall become as straw for the ash-heap!
If you forget to live at the foot of the cross in deepest
lowliness of spirit, God will chasten you with His rod. A
destruction will come to you, O exalted believer--the
destruction of your joys and of your comforts, though
there can be no destruction of your soul.
"The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of
this: They will not go unpunished." Proverbs 16:5
Comments?
Pride and Arrogance
Discussion in '2005 Archive' started by PastorSBC1303, Mar 9, 2005.
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Amen
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I agree. I think it's very common among Christains to have a Holier-than-thou attitude. It's not becoming and it turns the lost away. God's word constantly reminds us to humble ourselves. Satan wants us to be proud of ourselves and thereby be destroyed. We should be always watching and working to keep ourselves humble. "His strength is made perfect in my weakness..."
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Pride is what seperates us from God. We think we are good enough, sufficient, and OK.
I am reminded of a cartoon from Calvin and Hobbes:
"I am significant!" . . . shouted the speck of dust.
I think pride is at the base of our sinful natures. I know I deal with it daily--I would have said struggle with it daily, but that would be too pioused considering I don't struggle with it as much as I should. Too often I give in.
Thank the Lord he chastens his children. When he has humbled me, I am reminded that he loves me. -
I SORT OF disagree with mhoward. We ARE holier than tho because of our salvific relationship with Christ and we should live a separate life from the world.
Ga 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Revelation 22:14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. -
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Salvific
adj : Having the intention or power to bring about salvation or redemption: “the doctrine that only a perfect male form can incarnate God fully and be salvific” (Rita N. Brock).
adj : intending to admit to salvation
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LOLOLOL
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Pride is the destroyer, of self and others. I've seen it in many preachers, doing nothing but to discourage those who just need help.
It is not that we preach the Truth, but how we use that Truth. We are to edify, not boast our knowledge of Truth, but to also expound upon and to exemplify how Truth (according to God's Holy Bible) has worked in our lives, that which brings honour and glory to God, and not to lift ourselves up, as so many try to do.
Mhoward? are you one in the same as "Steve Howard"? or his wife? -
I have a friend who is the most humble person I've met. She's always putting others first without question--even without thought it seems--it has become her first nature to do so.
Reminds me of one of my literary heroes, Melanie Wilkes, from Gone With the Wind . . . Because she loved others more than herself. She didn't care if they were her enemies.
One of my favorite Bible characters is Onesimus. He was unprofitable, and he became profitable. Only through Christ are we made profitable.
God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.