Over the past eight months so much discussion has related to the invisible enemy, but, on this Sunday, I encourage you to consider an even greater invisible enemy. Against this invisible enemy masks do not work, neither does cleaning your hands nor quarantine. This invisible enemy does not lurk in droplets, nor does it transmit through contact. Unlike the invisible enemy of common conversation, this invisible enemy affects every area of human functioning.
What is it? If it is more dangerous without contagion, what could it be?
On this Sunday, as you prepare to spend time with your church family, the most powerful invisible enemy in our lives concerns pride. Let me explain.
The Problem
The Problem with Definition
Pride is the opposite of humility and is the major sin of the devil; however, as we think about it in daily living or as it appears in our hearts, it is hard to define. On the contrary, it is easy to say, “Pride is our biggest problem.” But saying it and understanding it are two different things.
The simplest definition may be that pride describes thinking of oneself higher than God or others. Maybe you could define it as loving oneself or respecting oneself more than God or others as well. The key thought in either case remains the same: self is valued higher than God or others.
The Problem with Seeing
When evaluating one’s own life and heart, pride tends to hide well. Pride blends in with the other tapestry of our lives in a way that we can easily miss it. In this way, similar to a chameleon, it hides in plain sight.
You may agree with me, “Yes, we all have a problem with pride.” However, when asked to give all the specific places in your life where it manifests itself, you may struggle doing so. This is common to man. As much as I would love to claim humility and demonstrate it for you, pride lurches in the desire itself. Remember as James mentions, pride connects itself with our very desires, how much we want a particular desire, and why we want a particular desire (James 4:1-10). As such, the deep connection between our desires and pride makes it all the more difficult to see and fight.
Possibly similar to you, no question I have much more work to root it out, see it, repent of it, and change,
An Additional Problem with Seeing
There is a second problem with seeing pride. Just as hard as it is to see pride’s manifestation in your own heart and life, it is just that easy to see it manifested in another person’s heart and life – or at least we believe it is.
As part of a larger conversation with someone this week, I listened intently to a friend explain to me all the ways this friend could see pride in another person’s life.
That’s the additional problem with seeing.
Just as hard as it is to see it in one’s own life, it sure seems easy to spot it in another person’s life.
To be honest, the person may have been right. However, the person may have been wrong just as easily related to some aspects of interpretation. The problem with seeing pride in other people’s lives stems from the fact that we make the determination based off of our observation. When we rely on observation to make such claims, we become judges in our own hearts without careful data gathering, asking key questions, and giving the other person an opportunity to explain him or herself.
In other words, our ability to “see” pride in another person’s life is a manifestation of our pride. Instead, we ought to give another person the benefit of the doubt. If in fact we are concerned about another person, we should approach that person in humility and ask questions that might reveal the other person’s pride through discovery – not by declaration.
To be fair, as one who has received correction before and needed it, these conversations handled well can be very helpful – for which I am very thankful and needy.
On This Sunday…
What should we do then?
Related to Seeing Our Own Pride
On this Sunday, let’s determine to stay sensitive to our own hearts, attitudes, words, and actions. For me, there is plenty I can do on this level. Possibly you are the same. We can strive to fight the battle in our own heart. Ask questions like: “Do I value God and His opinion more than myself and my own?” “Do I place greater value on me and my opinion than I do this other person?” “Are my attitude, words, and actions reflecting a heart toward God and others or a deep-rooted love of self?”
Related to Seeing Another’s Pride
On this Sunday, let’s determine to not look around and judge others related to pride and humility. When someone does or says something, let’s begin by assuming that person is right with God and is motivated by the love of Christ. Instead of watching another person and convincing our own minds of the manifestation of pride, ask instead, “Why it is I believe I can spot pride so accurately and care about it so much in this other person’s life?”
Ask other questions like: “Do I give this other person the same benefit of the doubt I wish someone would give to me?” “If in fact this is a manifestation of pride in this other person’s life, what concerns me most? Is it my own pride reacting to his/her potential pride or am I heartbroken over this person’s sin?” “Is my interpretation of another person’s attitude, words, and actions consistent with a heart full of Christ-like love of God and neighbor?”
On this Sunday let’s all take a great step forward in seeing and fighting pride in our lives and in not seeing it in others. Even if you are good at not seeing it in other’s lives, possibly you would also agree with me that all of us can step up our efforts to catch it in our own lives at least. Today’s a great day to start.
Blessings on your Lord’s Day in Christ!
Image Credit Suhyeon Choi
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together
