UNDER PRESSURE â—½ YOU
Me or Him?
by Debbie Haynes
There is a driving force within each of us that is stronger than most anything else that we fight against. And that force is pride. It’s an enemy of our soul; and yet, it’s one of the hardest things to eliminate. And in fact, we are told in the Word that the “pride of life” is not of the Father…and in another translation it says the love of the world squeezes out our love for the Father. And this warning is not directed to those outside the church, but those inside…as perhaps they become adept at ignoring and sweeping their own lusts and pride under the proverbial rug.
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Sometimes, even when we find ourselves doing something good for others, giving or showing some form of service or benevolence, we might even do those things with the motivation of pride in our hearts.
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C.S. Lewis penned:
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“For pride is spiritual cancer: it eats up the very possibility of love, contentment, and even common sense.”
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​“A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you’re looking down, you can’t see anything that’s above you.”
Jonathan Edwards wrote:
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“Pride is the worst viper in the human heart! It is the greatest disturber of the soul’s peace, and of sweet communion with Christ. It is with only the greatest of difficulty that it can be rooted out. For pride is the most hidden, secret, and deceitful of all lusts!”
Remember the giant Goliath in the Bible? He was proud and arrogant, and the humble boy named David was aware of his own limitations as he said, “The Lord will deliver you into my hands.” Prideful Goliath was brought down by the profound faith of a young boy.
I woke up one morning, impressed that pride and thanksgiving simply cannot co-exist in our hearts. The very thoughts of our hearts, the actions we carry out, and our chosen allegiances, will be ruled by one or the other.
Recently, I asked God to help me focus on the things for which I’m thankful, and they were mostly tangible: my home and family, my lack of want of the basics of life…food, shelter and clothing. But there’s more. For thanksgiving cannot dwell alongside pride.
Pride is related to me, what I want, what I need, what I deserve.
Thanksgiving is directed above and is completely focused on Him. What He’s done, who He is, what He’s promised.
Even when our circumstances bring us low, we must force our pride down. We decrease so that He can increase.
Here are some practical ways to help us do just this:
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Give thanks to the Lord because he’s good and his love endures forever. (Ps 107:1)
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Give thanks to the Lord for his righteousness. Sing praise to the Lord. (Ps 7:17)
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Give thanks in everything for this is the will of God for you! (I Thessalonians 5:18)
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Give thanks and don’t be anxious about anything – ask God. (Phil 4:6)
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Give thanks as the peace of Christ rules your heart – (Col 3:15)
I know that for me personally, when I put my pride down and direct my attention upward to God, He puts a song in my heart. He gives me hope and courage to be brave in Him.
Look up.
Look at him.
Look at His word.
Look at his character.
Look at his promises.
And sing a song of thanksgiving.