I think it is worth a moment to talk about one of the most dangerous and debilitating things that ever entered the world. That thing is pride. Pride entered our world in the Garden of Eden when Satan used pride to tempt Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-5) ... "God is lying to you! You won't die if you eat that fruit. Don't you know that God just doesn't want you to be like Him? (implying WE deserve to be in God's position)."
Pride created the crucible in which murder was hatched as Cain's pride and self-focus caused him to be jealous of God's approval of Abel. "I work hard and keep my sheep ... I deserve better treatment!" might have been Cain's mantra.
You get the point. I could go through story after story about pride, haughtiness, narcissism and me-focused people. We could continue with our study of Habakkuk as we see the destruction and carnage caused by pride. God says of the Babylonians ... "the enemy is puffed up, his desires are not upright (Habakkuk 2:4)." God goes on to describe the nature of pride and the fruit of pride. God's word has nothing good to say about pride ... so why do we tolerate it in ourselves and in the church?
God's Word says "Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall ... (Proverbs 16:18)" but "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. (James 4:10)." I believe that is great advice for a world that wants it all right now because WE deserve it! Time to leave the entitlement generation ... pride never ends well! Randy
No comments:
Post a Comment