A Struggle with PRIDE

[Dennis1209]

Pride is not always bad; I take pride in belonging to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. I take some pride in home ownership, keeping the place halfway decent and serviceable.

Pride is a topic I seldom see discussed for personal application on Worthy. Our Bible says much about edifying, restraint, humility, and pride. I could fill pages with Scripture that address these issues. Trust me when I say I am tempted to repay evil with evil; it continues to be a thorn in my side. Where do I get the power of a humble heart, humility, and restraint? God’s word and its effect on me, His regenerative work in my life.

I suspect it is still a part of the human condition resulting from the fall, our sinful nature, which we are born with. Perhaps I am the exception, but when I receive discourteous responses of an opinion, more or less stating I am ignorant and need a change in my exegesis, my first thought is retaliation and getting the last word, putting them in their place, a disposition that is neither biblical nor Christian.

I have thought about what restrains me from responding in like kind (usually). If it were of myself, the old man in me would come out firing hell, fire, and brimstone, repaying the insults. Something drastically changed in my life, not of myself.

Occasionally, in my church, I hear gossip from little “clicks” that have formed, trying to draw me into taking a position and side. I have responded that I do not want to hear or participate in gossip. That does not make me very popular. Cutting someone down behind their back or in anonymity is not my idea of what Christians do.

James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

I would also say this applies to forums, social media, and human interactions, extending the middle finger in effect. Especially behind anonymity, our fingertips are an extension of our tongues without restraint if allowed.

Points are deducted for unbecoming conduct on this forum. What about the Bema Seat of Christ? Is there any doubt we are to edify one another and show grace?

Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

[Mr. M]

13 minutes ago, Dennis1209 said:

Pride is not always bad; I take pride in belonging to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. I take some pride in home ownership, keeping the place halfway decent and serviceable.

Pride is a topic I seldom see discussed for personal application on Worthy. Our Bible says much about edifying, restraint, humility, and pride. I could fill pages with Scripture that address these issues. Trust me when I say I am tempted to repay evil with evil; it continues to be a thorn in my side. Where do I get the power of a humble heart, humility, and restraint? God’s word and its effect on me, His regenerative work in my life.

I suspect it is still a part of the human condition resulting from the fall, our sinful nature, which we are born with. Perhaps I am the exception, but when I receive discourteous responses of an opinion, more or less stating I am ignorant and need a change in my exegesis, my first thought is retaliation and getting the last word, putting them in their place, a disposition that is neither biblical nor Christian.

I have thought about what restrains me from responding in like kind (usually). If it were of myself, the old man in me would come out firing hell, fire, and brimstone, repaying the insults. Something drastically changed in my life, not of myself.

Occasionally, in my church, I hear gossip from little “clicks” that have formed, trying to draw me into taking a position and side. I have responded that I do not want to hear or participate in gossip. That does not make me very popular. Cutting someone down behind their back or in anonymity is not my idea of what Christians do.

James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

I would also say this applies to forums, social media, and human interactions, extending the middle finger in effect. Especially behind anonymity, our fingertips are an extension of our tongues without restraint if allowed.

Points are deducted for unbecoming conduct on this forum. What about the Bema Seat of Christ? Is there any doubt we are to edify one another and show grace?

Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

My view, and the manner in which I taught my children,

is that every opportunity to feel and express pride

should be replaced with the opportunity to be thankful.

Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God 

and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In this way we remind ourselves of this truth:

2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think

of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God:

And all is for the glory of God:

John 15:

4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,

unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him,

bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 

6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered;

and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 

7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask

what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 

8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

[NConly]

1 hour ago, Dennis1209 said:

extending the middle finger in effect.

 

Clicks and gossip find a way into many churches.

One would think this verse would extend to the fingertips on a keyboard

Isa 58

9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

[Sower]

3 hours ago, Dennis1209 said:

my first thought is retaliation and getting the last word, putting them in their place

That's called vindication.
= the fact of proving that someone is not guilty or is free from blame, after other people have blamed them.

                    "Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry!
                 Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!
                From your presence let my vindication come!
                          Let your eyes behold the right!
                                     Psalm 17, 1-2

I've had a few confrontations receiving shame in front of others. I also was burning up from their tirade/outburst.
But by God's grace/mercy, and my shock, I stood calm and made no reply. I needed vindication desperately.
I felt God said to wait upon him.  God's promises are true. All of them.
 

3 hours ago, Dennis1209 said:

Occasionally, in my church, I hear gossip from little “clicks” that have formed, trying to draw me into taking a position and side. I have responded that I do not want to hear or participate in gossip. That does not make me very popular. Cutting someone down behind their back or in anonymity is not my idea of what Christians do

I was a 50yr+ smoker, and have heard all the stinking smoker jokes from the pulpit, while all those in the pews laughing.
The man behind the pulpit was a minimum 150 lbs overweight. For christians, gluttony is socially acceptable.
I knew I was the last hold out smoker, as did every one in the congregation. Lost my respect for my shepherd.  

(I used to sin sit (Freaudlin slip:) on the steps after church with the deacons, smoking our tobacco back when it was still socially acceptable.   They all quit, although some now dip, unobserved.                                                                                                                                                                                      

Dr. J Vernon McGee had a Christian radio show (Through the Bible) I always listened to while driving. One day cutting it on I heard something about smokers. Listening I heard him say "yeah, most people he knew were ex smokers as himself at one time, and the few still smoking are all still desperately trying to quit, and was sure with God they would some day.

But, says Dr. McGee on the radio, "there is another group in church I want to discuss. He called them the blue silver brigade.
 

These 'ladies', mostly older, have their private pow wows discussing the latest tid bits if information (gossip). They can cause the new young seekers/believers dressed not so modest to be shunned, and embarrassed before they had a chance to learn from the more mature christian ladies had a chance to share/instruct with them what attractive appropriate clothing was.

The kicker McGee said, "And they have no intention of ever quitting"

Upon hearing this in my truck I raised my fist and shouted, smiling with tears, God had vindicated me, privately with my Lord.

                            "Humble thyself before the Lord and HE will lift you up!"

           Thanks, Dennis   (sorry, just some residual bitterness cropping up, now to go confess:)
    A good stand you made, and God knows, and will redeem it, publicly, from his seat..A much better kind of 'popular'..

 

 

 

[NConly]

I use this verse dealing with some.

Mark 6

11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

[Vine Abider]

On 8/25/2024 at 6:52 AM, Dennis1209 said:

I suspect it (pride) is still a part of the human condition resulting from the fall, our sinful nature, which we are born with. Perhaps I am the exception, but when I receive discourteous responses of an opinion, more or less stating I am ignorant and need a change in my exegesis, my first thought is retaliation and getting the last word, putting them in their place, a disposition that is neither biblical nor Christian.

I have thought about what restrains me from responding in like kind (usually). If it were of myself, the old man in me would come out firing hell, fire, and brimstone, repaying the insults. Something drastically changed in my life, not of myself.

 

Pride is a part of the fall and that nature is in our members (flesh). Pride says, "I got this" and "I can make this decision" - it is a nature that seeks independence from God and believes it doesn't need Him to do what it wants to do.  It is focused on me & mine. It is, more often than not, something from the devil that we inherited from Adam and results in death (to ourselves and others around us).

An interesting exercises is to take 1st Corinthians 13 and replace the word "love" with "pride," and reverse it.  For instance:

Pride is not patient

Pride is not kind

Pride is puffed-up

This is certainly the devil and the nature that infected our forefather in the flesh . . .

But hallelujah, the last Adam overcame that old Adam/self and became a life-giving Spirit (1 Cor 15:45) in resurrection, and now lives in His believers as our new source!  So we can just say, "Lord, here's that prideful response I want to make in this situation.  Thank you that You live in me!  Help me now to take You as my very life-source and person, so that I may respond properly in love --> which is in the new nature You gave me."

[Michael37]

7 hours ago, Dennis1209 said:

when I receive discourteous responses of an opinion, more or less stating I am ignorant and need a change in my exegesis, my first thought is retaliation and getting the last word, putting them in their place, a disposition that is neither biblical nor Christian.

Turbulence.

I thought I was having friendly fellowship with a kingpin leader of an assembly in which I had some investment, when he got very short with me, and in a quick, harsh, dismissive, patronising response to my sharing a witnessing experience he stated something along these lines:

"We have to correct with gentleness". . .

and walked off, end of fellowship. This left me cut down and taken aback! Oh the irony.

I knew from Scripture he was right, and I searched my heart and prayed about why I had been so severely pruned.

1Pe 3:15  But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,

A week or so later this assembly booked a movie theatre for a screening of the remake of "The Robe". Before the movie began this kingpin leader stood and said he needed to confess and apologise for speaking harshly to a brother that was here tonight. I knew he was talking about me.

 

[AnOrangeCat]

13 hours ago, Dennis1209 said:

I suspect it is still a part of the human condition resulting from the fall, our sinful nature, which we are born with. Perhaps I am the exception, but when I receive discourteous responses of an opinion, more or less stating I am ignorant and need a change in my exegesis, my first thought is retaliation and getting the last word, putting them in their place, a disposition that is neither biblical nor Christian.

I've wondered about this one, too. In my opinion a lot of sin can be traced to our biological drives and survival instincts, just taken to a level God probably didn't intend and/or taken outside of the context He gave us for it. Sex outside of marriage is obvious. It's natural for us to want resources to ensure our own survival and that of our families, but taken outside of that context and what's necessary it becomes greed and can lead to committing other wrongs.

Pride is one I can't really figure out, though. Satan had pride, and that was without a sin nature like ours to contend with.

[Marilyn C]

Pride - mmmm...... 

Thinking `well at least I don`t look like that, or didn`t do that sin, or such.......

It is so pervasive throughout our life, thinking, & behaviour.

Lord, I`m so, so looking for that new body and Christ`s pure mind where I know no wrong thought about anyone.

[Neighbor]

Seems to me there is instruction within the  Bible that makes distinctions between how a born again Christian is to treat those that are not yet born again and those that are. 

There is substantial instruction within Matthew 18 as to how the "body" of Christ Jesus is to work, and work out differences that is rather different than how the members of the body are to go about this world  as witnesses giving testimony of the gospel of Jesus.