Word for Today, Mon, 13 Dec 2004: Pride is a Killer
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>
Dear friends,
One of the things I struggle with a great deal is pride. On one
hand, it's good to be pleased with a job well done and it is good
to strive for positive achievements. In the context of our
faith, though, pride crosses the line between striving and self
centeredness.
I don't know about you, but I grew up in a generation full of
self centered teaching, actions, and behavior. It is natural for
me to be self centered and it is unnatural for me to be humble.
God has done a work in my life in this area, but that work is far
from over, and along with patience, these are among the two or
three areas in my life, personally, where I need the most help
from my Lord. I confess that I need the Lord to deal with me in
these areas and continue to teach me to rely on Him rather than
on my own means.
Yours in Christ,
Brian
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NEIL ANDERSON'S DAILY IN CHRIST
from Freedom in Christ Ministries
December 12
THE EXPRESSION OF PRIDE
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before
stumbling (Proverbs 16:18).
Pride is a killer. Pride says, "I can do it alone. I can get
myself out of this mess without God's help." Oh, no you can't! We
absolutely need God, and we desperately need each other. Paul
wrote, "We are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit
of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the
flesh" (Philippians 3:3). Humility is confidence properly placed.
Examine the instructions on pride and humility in James 4:6-10
and 1 Peter 5:1-10. The context reveals that spiritual conflict
follows the expression of pride. Pride is what caused Lucifer to
be thrown out of heaven.
Jesus said, "Simon, Simon [Peter], behold, Satan has demanded
permission to sift you like wheat" (Luke 22:31). On what basis
could Satan make that demand? The context reveals the answer:
"There arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them
was regarded to be greatest" (Luke 22:24). Pride was Peter's
downfall, and it opened the door to the devil's opposition.
The Lord says that pride goes before destruction and an arrogant
spirit before stumbling (Proverbs 16:18). We must confess areas
where we have not denied ourselves, picked up our cross daily,
and followed Him (Matthew 16:24). In so doing we have given
ground to the enemy in our lives.
Have we believed that we could be successful and live
victoriously by our own strength and resources? We must confess
that we have sinned against God by placing our will before His
and by centering our lives around self instead of Him. We must
renounce the self life and by so doing cancel all the ground that
has been gained in our members by the enemies of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
We must pray that God will guide us so that we will do nothing
from selfishness or empty conceit, but that with humility of mind
we will regard others as more important than ourselves
(Philippians 2:3). We must ask God to enable us through love to
serve others and in honor prefer others (Romans 12:10).
Loving Lord, I want my life to be marked by a humble spirit
today. Forgive me for my proud, self-centered ways and
independent spirit.
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This daily devotional is published and distributed by
Crosswalk.com. It is written by Neil Anderson at
link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A1.14.29365.1.293748.
Additional devotionals are available from Crosswalk.com:
link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A1.14.29365.2.293748.
-----------
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--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/
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