PRIDE

We are told to take pride in our work, our family, our school, our appearance, and yes, our country! But then the Bible says that pride goes before destruction. That pride leads to disgrace. Wait…what? Same word…two entirely different methods. “Good pride” is healthy and appropriate. “Bad pride” (selfish pride) very often results in self-destructive behavior. Good pride often turns into bad pride without notice. It’s like dripping water. One drop at a time, over time, and one day you wake up in a place you never thought you would be. Bad pride is often undetectable in us, but so obvious to everyone else. We want to have pride in the work that we do. We want (and are called) to do our work with excellence. After all, God gave us His gifts to live our lives in unique and significant ways. So what’s the answer? I’m tempted to share some coaching I’ve learned through my own pride trials.  But the real answer is found right here: For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 1 John 2:16  (NLT) Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. Philippians 2:3-4 (NLT) Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. Galatians 6:4 (NLT) I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. Romans 11:13-14 (NIV) Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.  Psalms 138:6 (NLT) Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. Proverbs 16:18  (NLT) We have all heard of the pride of Moab, for his pride is very great. We know of his lofty pride, his arrogance, and his haughty heart. Jeremiah 48:29 (NLT) So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 1 Peter 5:6 (NLT) (This blog was inspired by Russell Williams)