"The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and
arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate."(Proverbs 8:13)
If there is one attitude I see, not only in society, but also in the church; it
is the attitude of pride and arrogance. The Apostle Paul writes to the Church
at Philippi and says" "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition
or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than
himself." (Philippians 2:3)
Is it wrong to have ambition? No, as long as we have the attitude that in all
that we do, we will try to be a blessing to others. Too many people try to get
what they want at the expense of others. They will do anything to get ahead,
even if it means hurting others.
James says: "Where
do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for
pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and
covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have, because you do
not ask.."(James 4:2) We may not say this with our lips, but a
lot of people say this with their lives." "Look at me, don't you wish
you could be me? Don't you wish you could have what I have?" That is
conceit. This is thinking more of ourselves, than we ought to. And conceit,
causes a lot of people to covet, and desire what other people have.
Paul tell
us that we must show a "lowliness of mind" This is a humility that is
essential in life. It is not a feeling of inferiority, but a good balanced
feeling of one's self. The feeling that, I am special to God, I am loved by
God, but I am no more special, or loved, than anyone else. And than lastly,
Paul says that we are to esteem others better than ourselves.
In essence he is
saying that we are to have our focus on others, more than on ourselves. To
answer the question: "How can I be a blessing to others?" How can I
make a difference in the lives of the people around me?" I have seem
churches come apart because of pride and arrogance. In Scripture, we find that
the Lord wants "Unity" in His church. (John 17:21)
If pride and
arrogance are dominating factors, that will not happen. And the devil will make
sure that it doesn't happen. But with love, and humility, the Holy Spirit
will help us to have victory, and instill peace in our hearts, and in our
fellowship. (GP)
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