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| 1.
Disdain: |
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| a.
a feeling of contempt b. scornful c. to abstain from the presence of someone d. to refuse someone e. to despise someone f. the opposite of favor |
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| 2. Exultant – to leap upward | ||
| 3. Haughty – blatant (to chatter noisily – especially in an offensive manner) | ||
| 4.
Exalt: |
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| a.
to raise high or elevate b. to raise in rank, power, or character c. to enhance or intensify one’s activity |
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As we move along in these writings, I would like for you to remember and
refer to these definitions. They
will be the keys to your further understanding about the problems of
pride.
I believe if you will be honest with yourself, you will be able to identify with these conditions in some area of your life.
You
may ask at this moment, “Who are you to point out my faults?” May I answer you very sincerely? I am a person just like you
are who has suffered great afflictions and distresses under the control
of this evil spirit called “pride”.
I have compassion for you as my fellowman, because you could
possibly be under pride’s control at this moment.
I am one person who would desire to share these thoughts with you
as a means to an end. What
is that end? That you might be free of this demonic destroyer of life, in
the Name of Jesus. Jesus
Christ says in John 10:10, “The thief (satan)
comes only to steal, and kill and destroy; I (Jesus)
came that they (you) might
have life; and might have it abundantly.” (Emphasis
mine).
Now that you understand more about the meaning of pride, I hope to help you see its ugliness in manifestation. Pride has many manifestations and many are not as obvious at first glance, but are none the less just as damaging. Please understand this point. I do not claim to be an expert but only a servant of God, who intends to place these facts before you for your consideration. I pray you will consider them very seriously. Amen!
A. Pride In The People Of The World
Pride
amongst mankind has purposed itself to make man feel his independence.
He has been made to feel self-sufficient, depending only
on others momentarily as a means of personal profit or gain.
There is a worldly saying, "He or she is a self-made
man or woman.” This self-image is created and fed by pride.
As long as self is being fulfilled and the inflation of self-worth
is increasing, a person becomes more self-centered. Do you
remember the passage from the Bible that was mentioned previously,
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling”
(Proverbs 16:18,19). How
many times do we see the devil puff someone up to a point of self-deception
and then attempt to destroy him or her?
I have observed this cycle over and over again and it is very sad
to see because it often results in great tragedy.
When
pride is mentioned, most people would naturally relate it to a boastful,
arrogant, loud-mouthed, bragging, self-confident person and one
who is very inconsiderate of others that surround them. This is a
correct observation; however, it is not the limit of the effect of pride
in people. There is a
driving force that wants one’s self to be raised or elevated in
power, prestige, or position. The
result is an attitude of, as the world says, “of patting one’s self
on the back” or in other words self-congratulation as to one’s
accomplishments or reputation. Pride
also is manifested in a self-conceited or a pompous attitude,
which demands recognition from those in association with this individual.
I believe, by now, you are beginning to see the controlling force
of pride.
In addition to what has been previously stated, presumption results from a person who is controlled by a proud attitude. This attitude presumes that those in contact with his self-exalted state share equally in his excitement and enthusiasm of himself or of his self-conceit. The Bible says, “Presumption brings forth nothing but strife.” (Proverbs 13:10). “An arrogant man stirs up strife.” (Proverbs 28:25). No one likes strife. Look what is the major cause of strife, arguments, contention, despising, and even hatred? Pride is!
What else develops through pride? Pride demands attention, not only on a continuous basis, but also increasingly. If this attention is not given, then the contemptuous act of ignoring those who will not worship this prideful person comes about. The very rude action of refraining from contact, communication, or association with a person who will not acknowledge a self-exalted individual begins to evolve. How sad is this force called pride as it takes human beings that were created to live together in respect and harmony and drives them further apart.
Dear Reader, hear what the Word of God says, “Proud, haughty, scoffer are his names, who acts with insolent pride.” (Proverbs 21:24). To scoff and degrade others because they won’t worship the god of self comes automatically as a result of pride. The tongue of the proud is a weapon in the hands of the devil. “The mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride.” (Proverbs 14:3). How damaging can these words of pride be to others? “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21). Prideful words spoken continuously will bring death not only to the hearer, but also to the one who speaks them.
Have
you noticed by now how many of the definitions of pride have been
mentioned in the considerations of manifestations and effects?
I ask you to meditate on these points.
Oh,
how a prideful person strives for a place of honor in the world.
Just to be important, or more important, or even worse, most
important. This is the thought process of the prideful.
But the Bible says, “When pride comes, then comes dishonor.”
(Proverbs 11:2) and “A man’s pride will bring him low.” (Proverbs
20:23).
If
after reading and meditating on these facts, you are feeling
uncomfortable about some area of pride in your life, I am grateful.
You see, if you are a victim of the supernatural, devilish force
of pride, you have no hope of deliverance in your natural strength and
wisdom. Praise God for the
saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Call on Him at this moment.
“God is opposed to the proud and gives grace to the humble.”
( See I Peter 5:5, James 4:6). Humble
yourself and let Jesus set you free! Hallelujah!
B.
Pride
In The Body Of Christ (Church)
The
comments in this section are directed to the Christian believer.
It would seem strange that since Jesus Christ is the Head of the
Church and that He was the ultimate example of humility, that
pride could exist to such a large degree in the living organism called
the church. Jesus says to
all who desire to be His disciples or followers, “Come to Me all who
are weary (worked to exhaustion) and heavy laden, and I will give you
rest. Take My yoke upon you,
and learn from Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly)
in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy (kindly and pleasant) and My load (burden) is
light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 Amp Ver).
Since
I have brought up the subject of activities or busyness, let me present
to you a wide spread manifestation of pride that exists today in the
church. Remember one of the
definitions of pride (self-exaltation) was to enhance or
intensify one’s activity.” Many
Christians find themselves “worn out” trying to do the works of God,
but this is contrary to the will of the Lord and His instruction
according to the above Bible passage.
In recent years I have heard this expression in Christian circles:
“It is better to wear out than rust out.”
What scripture verse from God’s Word does that come from?
Of course, you must be willing to give your lives to be spent for
the Gospel, to lose your life, daily denying yourself; but God wants you
to be daily renewed, refreshed, and strengthened as His vessel.
It should be apparent to you that activities that feed a
misconception of the fact that the busier you are the more spiritual you
are is false. There is the
constant pressure from ego (pride) that compels God’s people to feed
restless, vain impulses. Another
deception in this area exists today.
The deception is that if we take a lowly place daily, a negative
reflection on our ability or calling may result.
Many Christian workers are wondering why they are so unfulfilled
inside after such a great display of activity.
“A man’s pride will bring him low.” (Proverbs 29:23).
“The Lord will tear down the house of the proud.” (Proverbs
15:25). Please meditate on these truths.
There
was a struggle between the disciples of Jesus even as He walked here on
earth during His earthly ministry.
On more than one occasion Jesus’ disciples contested with one
another. “And an argument arose among them as to which of them might
be the greatest.” (Luke 9:46). “And
there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was
regarded to be greatest.” (Luke 22:24).
There
is a struggle today of the same sort between God’s servants.
Remember the definition of self-exaltation?
It was to raise or elevate one’s self for a higher
position or title? “Knowledge
alone puffeth up (makes arrogant) but love edifies.”(1 Corinthians 8:1
Amp Vers.). I have noticed
many Christians who are proud and boastful as to their
association with a certain denomination, Bible school, or ministry.
We are to boast only in Christ Jesus in whom we have been made
into His likeness because He has made us wisdom from God. (See 1 Corinthians 1:30-31).
I
will use the word “spiritual pride,” which sounds almost like a
paradox, because we know that the Holy Spirit in a believer does not
manifest pride, but meekness and humility.
I am, however, referring to one’s own opinion of one’s
spirituality in relation to others.
“For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you
not to think more highly of himself that he ought to think. (Romans
12:3). This warning came
from a servant of God, we all know, by the name of Paul.
Paul had a wealth of knowledge (Biblical and otherwise) but chose
not to use it as his credentials. “More
than that I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value
of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord…And count them but rubbish (dung-heaps)
in order that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8). Emphasis
mine. Are you trying to compare your self-image with your fellow
believers? Are you striving
to be recognized as a more effective, efficient, or profitable servant?
Is this causing you to leap up, exultantly, to be noticed
as a great minister? I must
warn you, dearly beloved brethren, “From out of the heart proceeds
……pride….” (Mark 7:21-22).
“He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts
of their hearts.” (Luke 1:51).
I
notice also among Christians today a desire to insist that others
conform to certain doctrines or legalisms of one particular sect or
group. Do you feel your
group has all the answers? Could
this be pride? “If anyone
advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words,
those of the Lord Jesus Christ and with the doctrine conforming to
godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing (self-deceived)…”
(I Timothy 6:3-4 Amp Vers).
Are you abstaining from someone’s presence, refusing fellowship
with someone, being scornful, or even despising someone because of their
conviction of the pure Word of God?
I
would like to continue with the above passage of scripture, “…But he
has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about
words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil
suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and
deprived of the Truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain (self-gain).”
(I Timothy 6:4-5 Amp Vers). Remember, “Through presumption (pride)
comes nothing but strife.” (Proverbs 28:25). Are you striving with your brethren? What do you expect to gain?
“It is better to be of humble spirit with the lowly than to
divide the spoil with the proud.” (Proverbs 16:19). To experience the abundant life of Jesus, our Lord, is to
live free of pride. Glory
to God.
If
you are a young Christian (not only in physical age) or a young minister
trying to answer the call of God on your life, you are a prime target of
the devil. Satan will come
against you with all of his tactics.
Some of these tactics are more noticeable than others.
An overt attack on your spiritual life, mental capacities,
physical bodies, family affairs, or material needs are very common areas
of diabolical aggression. Thank God, you have the Name of Jesus and the precious
promises of the Lord to hold fast to and overcome your adversary, the
devil. If then satan can’t
defeat you by tearing you down, he will most assuredly come from a
different direction to puff you up with pride.
What is your attitude about the Christian life?
The Lord is no respecter of persons.
He requires all of His followers to obey His Word.
Are you looking for some formula or short cut to “the
successful Christian life”? “Churchanity”
has devised many alternate routes for you.
Beware! There is no
substitute for submission to the Word of God, the Holy Spirit,
and the authority of the true church.
Many Christians today would choose to ignore the gifts (in the
form of godly men) that Jesus has given to the church for its
development and maturity so that she can accomplish her mission on the
earth. Many would choose to
bypass the lengthy but necessary seasons of preparation and to choose
the route of self-promotion, or even worse, promotion by pride-rooted,
man-made religious systems.
Don’t
place yourself in this position. Don’t
allow pride to push you into a “slot” before your season. “…not a new convert lest he be conceited and fall
into condemnation incurred by the devil.” (I Timothy 3:6).
Are
you receiving flattering words from others about your great “anointing”?
Be on the alert! “Now I urge you brethren, keep your eye on those who cause
dissensions and hindrances (occasions of stumbling) contrary to the
teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such are slaves not of our Lord Christ but of their own
appetites and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the
hearts of the unsuspecting.” (Romans 16:17-18 Amp Vers).
“…they (their mouth speaks) arrogantly, flattering
people for the sake of gaining an advantage.” (Jude 16 Amp Vers). These passages of scripture were written to believers.
You
may ask, “Are these the only areas that pride manifests itself or has
an effect in the Body of Christ? I
wish I could say yes to that question.
The fact is, as I previously expressed, I am not an expert. These are only a few observations that I want you to consider.
Quite frankly, as grievous as it may be, I also see all of the
ugly manifestations of pride mentioned in the section on “Pride in the
People of the World”. You
may review these if you wish.
What
you think about the seriousness of pride in the church doesn’t matter.
It remains an abomination unto God.
“Seven things the Lord hates and are abominations, haughty
eyes…” (Proverbs
6:16-17). Note here that
the first abomination that God mentions is haughtiness (pride).
“Pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverted way, I
hate, says the Lord.” (Proverbs 8:13).
Many Christians are feeling in their spirit, that the last days
are upon us. Do you feel
that you are living in the last days?
Listen to the Word of God spoken again to the Church.
“But realize this, that in the last days difficult times
will come. For men (including
professing Christians) will be lovers of self, lovers of
money, boastful, arrogant,
revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving,
irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited,
lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; holding to a form of
godliness (religion), although they have denied its power; and avoid
such men as these.” (II Timothy 3:1-5) Emphasis
mine.
How
effective is your religion and self-righteousness?
Are you acknowledging your continued need for the Lord Jesus?
If not, let me warn you God is removing His hand and withdrawing
His presence from a proud and obstinate people.
“And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer,
God gave them over to a depraved mind…arrogant, boastful…”
(Romans 1:28-30).
By
now, if you are acknowledge being guilty, I hope you are not falling
into one of pride’s most fatal traps.
What is that? It is self-pity.
Don’t feel sorry for yourself because you have been
robbed of some of your glory. To
receive man’s glory is far short of your heavenly reward from your
Father. Read Matthew 6:2-4.
Jesus said, “I do not receive glory from men……How can you
believe, when you receive glory from one another, and you do not seek
glory that is from the one and only God?” (John 5:41-44).
Jesus also said, “He who speaks from himself seeks his own
glory;…” (John 7:18). “Nor
is it glory to seek out one’s own glory.” (Proverbs 25:27).
Self-pity is an open door to discouragement, depression,
and despondency (lack of hope). You
have encouragement in you through Christ. “Christ in you the hope of
glory.” (Colossians 1:27). Hallelujah!
Let
me deal now with the manifestation of self-justification. The
word, justification, as you know it as a Christian, means: (A) to be
made righteous before God through Jesus Christ; (B) to be freed from
guilt, set free, or vindicated likewise.
Praise God for this precious benefit that the Lord has given us
by grace through faith. This
form of justification is not what I am referring to.
The perverted form of self-justification is the
manifestation of pride I speak of now.
Remember self-justification was one of pride’s
manifestations in the Biblical definitions given in the chapter,
“Pride Defined”. Let me
give you a definition of this justification that man offers for himself.
(A) to show a satisfactory reason or excuse of something done (said,
thought, etc.). (B) to be
clear of blame or fault. (C)
to defend or uphold or exonerate one’s self.
This is what Webster’s Dictionary states about the word “to
justify
I
waited until the last of this chapter to discuss this problem with you.
Why? Because even
right now you may be making excuses for your prideful attitudes
or actions that have been revealed to you by the Word of God.
Dear
brother or sister in Christ, if you are on the defensive about your
daily decisions that are contrary to the life-style of Jesus, it will be
necessary for you to repent. Until
you have a meek and lowly spirit, you will be a victim of this form of
pride. What form? Self-justification;
always trying to convince first, God, second, yourself; and last, your
fellow man that you are right. Are
you convinced that the Holy Spirit with His convicting and revealing
power could be unaware of or be misunderstanding your intentions?
Don’t be self-deceived. Self-justification
is pride and God is opposed to it.
“And He (Jesus) said,
you are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows
your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable
in the sight of God.” (Luke 16:15) Emphasis
mine.
My
friends and brethren, I have one final statement in this chapter. Pride is sin against the Lord God Almighty!
“Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked is
sin.” (Proverbs 21:4).
You
need to always acknowledge God and your need for His liberating power in
your life. Amen!
So be it!
At
this point you should be basically informed about pride.
I have a question for you. Do
you feel that you need deliverance from pride?
For those of you who answer yes, I will place before you the
following truths.
First,
If you have read these considerations and do not have a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ, you must realize and understand that you
are helpless against pride and its results.
At this moment, also realize that since pride is a supernatural
force, it can only be overpowered by a greater supernatural force.
As an unbeliever in Jesus Christ, you can no more personally
defeat pride in your life than one ant could move Mt. Everest.
Listen, my friend, the holy Word of God says, “Whoever will
call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13).
Acknowledge your need for His supernatural love and power.
If you have never talked with God, let this be that glorious
beginning. I don’t want
to put words in your mouth, but you must, “Confess with your mouth and
believe in your heart Jesus is Lord.” So that you can have in your
life the results of the Lord’s righteousness (Godly, fruitful deeds by
His power) and to have salvation through faith. (See Romans 10:9-10).
“God sent His only begotten Son
(Jesus Christ) that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish…”
(John 3:16) Emphasis mine. If
you are perishing in your pride, receive the Life of Jesus, which
will bring forth the solution.
What then is the solution? HUMILITY
is the solution! It is
the exact opposite of pride. Praise
God, for the fruit of the Spirit – Love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness (humility), self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23 Amp Vers).
Doesn’t that sound like a better way to live? Amen! So humility
is that greater supernatural force.
It is only available from the Lord God Almighty.
The world cannot offer any solution, only more problems.
Remember the Bible passage, “For all that is in the world, the
lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of
life, is not from the Father, but from the world.” (I John 2:16).
Secondly,
if you are a Christian, whether you recently have believed or if you
have been in the faith for a time, you must realize that you also need
help to overcome pride. You
might ask; “If Jesus has given me power to overcome pride, why am I
still a victim of this cursed bondage?”
Our flesh must be brought into subjection constantly and our
minds must be renewed constantly through the power of the Holy Spirit of
God Who lives in you. Follow with me through some instructions from God’s word.
The Word states in Galatians 5:16-17, “But I say walk by the Spirit,
and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit
against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that
you may not do the things that you please.”
In Galatians 6:7-8, we find this warning, “Do not be deceived,
God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man sows to his flesh shall from the
flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the
Spirit reap eternal life.” Romans
12:2 admonishes us, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the
will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
A
Christian must yield daily to the Word of God to be able to
overcome the devil and his cohorts (evil spirits).
“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them (evil spirits); because greater is He (Holy Spirit) Who is in you than he (satan) who is in the world.” (I John 4:4) Emphasis mine.
These
are God’s divinely powerful and precious promises and instructions to
us. How then, if we believe
and know these and other scriptures, could we possibly be a victim of
pride? The Lord speaks very
directly about this area of failure that we can have as Christians.
James 1:22-25 states, “But prove yourselves doers of the word
and not merely hears who delude themselves (or
are self-deceived). For if anyone is a hearer of the word
and not a doer he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a
mirror; for once he has looked at himself and goes away, he has
immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.
But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of
liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer, but an
effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does.” (Emphasis
mine). All of the above
scripture passages are taken from the letters of instruction to the New
Testament Church which you are a part of today.
All Christians have the same responsibility to obey the Word of
God. Jesus himself spoke these words in Matthew 7:24-27.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and acts upon
them may be compared to a wise man; who built his house upon the rock
and the rain descended and the floods came, and the winds blew, and
burst against that house, and yet it did not fall, for it was founded
upon the rock. And everyone
who hears these words of mine and does not act upon them, will be like a
foolish man, who built his house upon the sand and the rain descended
and the floods came and the winds blew, and burst against that house;
and it fell, and great was its fall.”
Remember, pride (haughtiness) comes before a fall. (See Proverbs
16:19). Are you building
your house (you being the temple of the Holy Ghost) on the sand of pride?
Or are you building your house on the Rock of Humility, Jesus
Christ, the Son of the Living God?
Hallelujah! I hope
you are receiving help in a time of need, Glory to God!
As
new creatures in Christ, you are seeing old thing pass away, and new
things come (See II Corinthians 5:17).
I believe to be “in Christ” is to be made into His likeness.
Do you believe that? Jesus
said, “Learn from Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble …”
(Matthew 11:29). Throughout the Gospels, Jesus constantly teaches that the
principle of humility is the key to the power of God. Jesus was humble not proud; Jesus was meek and lowly, not
pompous and arrogant; Jesus was strong and powerful to the Glory of His
Father, but not because of His self-exaltation.
Listen to these words of our Lord.
“You know that the rulers of the gentiles lord it over them and
their great men exercise authority over them.
It is not so among you (disciples); but whoever wishes to be
first among you shall be your servant and whoever exalts himself will be
humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew
23:11-12). “Blessed are
the humble (meek) for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5).
Last, humility is a state of being.
Humility is the state of being that brings victory over pride!
Will you humble yourself? It
is your decision. “God is
opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble; humble yourselves,
therefore, under the might hand of God, that He may exalt you at the
proper time.” (I Peter 5:5-6).
Love
to all. In Jesus’ Name
Buddy Axley
| www.axley.org |