What’s Pride Got To Do With It?
I remembered an article posted on this site over a year ago and while studying, I was led to reflect on it. It blessed me and I thought it wise to share it again with you, our dear readers. I have updated the title from ‘Before the Fall‘ to ‘ What’s Pride Got to do with it?’; the content remains the same.
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Every month, some ladies and I independently study a book from the bible and added to that, we also study an emotion or character or fruit of the spirit. The latest study we embarked on was on Pride.
There are so many facets to this topic called pride and I must say that one may not truly know if one is filled with pride or not unless one embarks on truly knowing the meaning and impact. For me, just studying its origin alone sent shivers down my spine.
A lot of us may never look inwards to check and see if we ourselves are subject to the spirit of Pride. For me, it was quite challenging to see myself anywhere near the definition of pride. I would like to say I am obedient, submissive, never look for trouble, helpful, caring and mind my own business (most times 
); Well, I was quite disappointed when I finished this study and it turned out I did have some evidence of pride in me.
Before the fall (a term I have used to characterize what goes on or happens way before pride causes us to fall to its prey) we engage in a lot of emotions, attitudes and behaviours that seems justifiable from our perspective. As we know by now, the first person accused of exhibiting this nature was Lucifer. The book of Isaiah 14 verse 12-15 explains how he (Lucifer) wished to be more than his superior. A lot of us have an attitude where we see ourselves better than the next person or where we never attribute our gifts or talents to a higher power but glorify ourselves.
Pride is one item on God’s hate list according to the book of Proverbs 6; 16-19, which says God, HATES a proud look! Pride exists in a person who finds it hard to accept corrections, easily irritated by others, criticizes or is critical of others, compares oneself and quick to judge others to name a few.
Anyone who is proud is an abomination to God; it’s the one thing that may impact to living an all round productive life in Christ. If we honestly evaluate ourselves we will see an element of pride lurking in the decisions we may have made or the situations we allow to linger on that isn’t God’s plan for us. Having feelings of being better than others or even better than ‘sinners’ is something we need to check.
As I ask myself why God used all those he used to change the world in their time and if it is because they lacked pride, I reflect on the likes of Esther, Ruth, Mary, Joseph, Daniel, Moses, Solomon, David, to name a few who experienced and were used by God in one form or the other and I noticed that if any of these people bore a proud look, I doubt if they would have been God’s chosen at their time.
Before the fall, a lot of things happen that take control of our flesh justifying our mental position to engage or behave in a manner appalling before the eyes of our creator and before we know it, we fall victims. The scary thing is that we may never know we are falling due to pride until the damage has been done.
Whatever it is, if its causing strife or sowing seeds of discord, living in unforgiveness, hardness of heart, defence mechanisms, wayward outlook, rejecting the things of God, choosing the way of the man rather than the way of God, pleasing people for personal gains, stubbornness, rudeness, malicious gossip, lying, deception, or feeling of importance (to name a few), please be aware that there is an element of pride in it all.
As I continue my walk with Christ, I have made myself aware of the many angles pride can set in and cause me to fall and I do my best to lay down various escape routes from this devourer.
What about YOU?
This Season, Easter
Festive seasons are very enjoyable times to all people except those who are in need, either financially or physically in one way or the other. Even then, festive seasons may help them somehow as they may (and should) receive help or assistance from those who actually have.
All across the world, this week and the next few weeks to come, Easter is the season. I took some time to look into Easter and found a history I didn’t recognise because it’s different from what I had been told all my life, infact nobody ever told me different until I stopped to check. Vine’s Concise Dictionary of the Bible is one of the many sources used in my quest to understand Easter and it describes Easter as totally Pagan! All other source confirms the same thing. As a matter of fact, do a google search on the history of Easter and see what comes up. More so, I couldn’t find a single reference instructing Christians to celebrate Easter in the bible, rather I found the Jewish Passover which we know that our Lord Jesus Christ recognised and celebrated as it is written in Luke 22:14-16 (Amplified Bible) 14And when the hour came, [Jesus] reclined at table, and the apostles with Him. 15And He said to them, I have earnestly and intensely desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16For I say to you, I shall eat it no more until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
In all the festive seasons grafted by the world, what really matters? I Choose to follow the scriptures…
11Therefore, remember that at one time you were Gentiles (heathens) in the flesh, called Uncircumcision by those who called themselves Circumcision, [itself a [a]mere mark] in the flesh made by human hands. 12[Remember] that you were at that time separated (living apart) from Christ [excluded from all part in Him], utterly estranged and outlawed from the rights of Israel as a nation, and strangers with no share in the sacred compacts of the [Messianic] promise [with no knowledge of or right in God's agreements, His covenants]. And you had no hope (no promise); you were in the world without God. 13But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were [so] far away, through (by, in) the blood of Christ have been brought near. 14For He is [Himself] our peace (our bond of unity and harmony). He has made us both [Jew and Gentile] one [body], and has broken down (destroyed, abolished) the hostile dividing wall between us, 15By abolishing in His [own crucified] flesh the enmity [caused by] the Law with its decrees and ordinances [which He annulled]; that He from the two might create in Himself one new man [one new quality of humanity out of the two], so making peace. 16And [He designed] to reconcile to God both [Jew and Gentile, united] in a single body by means of His cross, thereby killing the mutual enmity and bringing the feud to an end. 17And He came and preached the glad tidings of peace to you who were afar off and [peace] to those who were near. 18For it is through Him that we both [whether far off or near] now have an introduction (access) by one [Holy] Spirit to the Father [so that we are able to approach Him]. 19Therefore you are no longer outsiders (exiles, migrants, and aliens, excluded from the rights of citizens), but you now share citizenship with the saints (God’s own people, consecrated and set apart for Himself); and you belong to God’s [own] household. 20You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself the chief Cornerstone. 21In Him the whole structure is joined (bound, welded) together harmoniously, and it continues to rise (grow, increase) into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, consecrated, and sacred to the presence of the Lord]. 22In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you yourselves also are being built up [into this structure] with the rest, to form a fixed abode (dwelling place) of God in (by, through) the Spirit. Ephesians 2:11-22 (Amplified Bible)
My Mouth, My Words.
I have had issues with my use of words and my mouth. I tell you it has been a challenging yet, rewarding experience having to tame my tongue and carefully watch my words- what I say, how I say it, when I say it, who I say it to and why I say what I say. It has been a journey that has not been easy at all.
Growing up in a family and background where we are allowed verbal expressions (untamed most of the time) made me feel like the whole world operates like my family does. Until I married into a different tribe and culture. From the day I married, my husband made me see that the use of words to each other, in our marriage and to our children needs careful attention. He banned the use of words such as ‘ Don’t be silly’, ‘Are you mad’?, ‘You are a joker’, and many other regular words that you hear everyday that now seem normal. I did not see his point of view in my early years of marriage to be honest as I did not understand why I couldn’t verbally address a matter or person as they have acted or presented themselves. Well, thank God for the maturity in the things of God, I now know much much better.
Words! Words! Words!
Your words are like nitro-glycerine: they can either blow up bridges or heal hearts. You can tell more about somebody by what they say about others, than by what others say about them. Never judge a person’s horsepower by their exhaust smoke; ignorance is always eager to speak. Wisdom dictates that the best time to hold your tongue is when you feel as if you ‘just have to say something’.
Some people speak from experience; others from experience don’t speak. That’s because they have learned better. Jesus said that your words actually determine your destiny. Listen: ‘Your words now reflect your fate then: either you will be justified by them or you will be condemned’ (Matthew 12:37). Solomon said ‘Words kill, words give life; they are either poison or fruit – you choose’ (Proverbs 18:21).
Try to remember that your words have the capacity for good and evil; they either hurt or heal. If there’s one place where we all need more discipline, it is in the WORDS DEPARTMENT. Isaiah says, ‘…..God has given me a well-taught tongue, so I know how to encourage..people. He wakes me up, opens my ears to listen as one ready to take orders…God, stays right there and helps me so I’m not disgraced’ (Isaiah 50:4-7). When you don’t know what to say, SAY NOTHING!. Just listen, observe and let God lead you. After all, you are usually not learning while you are talking, are you?
Just for today, try to refrain from all hurtful remarks and focus only on speaking words that encourage and bless others. After today, take each day that comes determined to only speak words of life.
Jesus is watching (wink)
Source: UCB. The Overcoming Series