Christian Living
How do we recognize pride when it creeps into our thoughts, actions, and words? How do we overcome the enemy’s attack on our minds ... this impediment to a right standing with God and others?
Pride is exhibited whenever we put ourselves and what we want ahead of God and what He wants for us. Pride is manifested when our view of our achievements, attributes, abilities, or attitude toward others as more important to us than how God wants us to be, to act, and to relate.
Some questions you may ask yourself to determine whether pride is creeping in ...
Do many of your statements begin with “I”?
Do you give your opinion when it is not requested?
Do you minimize the negative results of your words or actions with excuses that include ‘just‘, ‘but’, and ‘only‘?
Do you see situations as win/lose (If I win, the other person loses.)?
Do you see a disagreement in terms of: if the other persons thinks he/she is right, he/she also thinks you are wrong?
Do you enjoy outwitting another person?
Do you like to be admired?
Does your humor put others down or exalt you?
Do you interrupt others yet desire for them to not interrupt you?
Do you dominate conversations?
Do you insist on getting the last word in?
Do you often compare yourself favorably to others?
Do you brag about your accomplishments, qualities, or good deeds?
Do you pressure people to agree with you?
Is what you think about yourself/another/a situation more important to you than what God thinks about you/another/a situation?
If the Holy Spirit is leading you to recognize some of the indicators of pride right now, remember that the Lord knows how weak we are, and He provided for us through His son, Jesus Christ. He knew we would need His redemption and His help for as long as we live on this earth. Each battle is ultimately a spiritual battle. The evil one is constantly seeking a way to turn each of us away from our Lord and Savior, in order to take away from the glory of God. God knows this. He has provided a way out each time we are tempted, and He is always, constantly willing to help us. There are avenues through which you can, through His power, defeat the pride problem, if you are willing:
Ask Him to reveal to you the effects of your pride, from His viewpoint, so that you will grasp its spiritual, personal, and relational ramifications.
Submit your will to His, as His will is good for you, those around you, and your relationship with Him.
Admit and ask forgiveness from Him and from those with whom you have contact.
Remember that He will not tolerate idols (anything that you put before Him), and He will do what it takes ... correct, discipline, punish ... to bring you back to Him, for your good and His glory ... because He loves you enough to do what is best for you even if you do not like it at the time.
Ask Him to review, edit, and/or delete your thoughts
Ask Him to show mercy to you when you are repentant.
Watch Him work in your life, and record the godly ripples which only He can produce, when you choose humility.
Thank Him for loving you so much that He pricks your heart to identify and change that which both offends Him and diminishes the future rewards for all that His children will do in this earthly life.
Jeremiah 9:23-24, NLT: “This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise man gloat in his wisdom, or the mighty man in his might, or the rich man in his riches. Let them boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who is just and righteous, whose love is unfailing, and that I delight in these things. I the Lord, have spoken!”
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