Twelve Evidences of of the Sin of Pride

Nebuchadnezzar

God hates pride. He hates it so much that He destroys the proud. He knocks them off their feet - for a little while or for a long time - until they learn a little bit about humility. Nebuchadnezzar, proud king of Babylon, learned humility by losing his mind for a time. Some Jewish kings learned it by having their kingdoms taken from them. Proud Haman lost his life. Over and over again we see that pride gets people into so much trouble. Throughout Scriptures we see the dangers of pride. Jesus lists it together with such sins as adultery, murder, and theft, yet we often do not take it very seriously. We sometimes see it in other people, yet we are so often so proud that we do not see it in ourselves.

The thought of God needing to do something drastic to humble me scares me enough that I periodically take stock of where I have allowed pride to creep into my own life. I read Scriptures to look again at what it says about pride. Sometimes I go through the evidences of pride like this one to see where I need to humble myself before the Lord and others to ask for forgiveness and repentance.

Am I proud? Here are some evidences of pride that help me evaluate how much this sin has become part of my life.

1. I am proud when I want others to notice me. A truly humble person does not need the approval of others. They simply do the work they need to do in order to fulfill their responsibilities. If they feel they need to make a statement about something, they say it but without fanfare. It always amuses me when I hear someone say, "In my humble opinion." If I am really humble about my opinion, I will not need to point out my humility to others. 
2. I am proud when I "persecute" others who are less fortunate than I am. Psalms 10:2 says, "The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor." James agrees with this idea when he warns against giving preference to the rich (James 2). While this is specifically pointing to mistreating the poor, it applies to other areas where people are less fortunate as well, such as a beauty queen looking down on a plain girl or super jocks making fun of the uncoordinated. Anytime we seek to put someone else in their place, we are showing off our pride.
3. I am proud when I am more concerned about myself than I am of others. Selfishness and pride are often co-dependent. While selfishness can sometimes function without pride, pride needs selfishness in order to prosper. We tend to put our own needs first. We do it so naturally and instinctively that Jesus calls us to love others as much as we love ourselves. But when we ignore the opinions, needs and desires of others, not only has selfishness crept in, but so has pride. We have begun to think that our needs are more important than theirs. 
4. I am proud when I put myself down or compare myself to others. Why is this pride? Pride is seen in self-absorption. Someone who spends time thinking about oneself, whether the analysis is positive or negative, is proud. If I think I am too short or too tall, too skinny or too fat, I am comparing myself to others around me. On the other hand, if I seek to please the Lord and invest my time in helping others, I will not be preoccupied by self-deprecation.
5. I am proud when I do not seek God in the decisions of my life. Psalms 10:4 says, "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God."  It is pride that keeps us from seeking God. Anytime that I go ahead with my own plans without seeking the will of God, I am demonstrating my pride.
6. I am proud when I stir up trouble. Proverbs 28:25 says, "He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife." Whenever I am the cause of unrest in a relationship or an organization, it stems from pride. We justify it by saying that we were right. Rather than seeking to reconcile, we defend ourselves. We are unwilling to admit that our attitude may be the cause of the trouble. You see, I am usually willing to take advice and correction from someone who is genuinely concerned for my welfare, but when someone is "defending the truth" because of their own pride, it stirs up trouble. Too often, when we are the cause of the trouble, we do not see it because our own pride blinds us to the truth.
7. I am proud whenever I think that I would never fall for a particular temptation to sin. We are all sinners, and given the right circumstances apart from God's grace at work in our lives, we are all capable of any sin. I can hear some of you saying, "But I would never do what that person did." Yet if we think we are incapable of murder, just hear what Jesus says about anger in Matthew 5:21-22. If we think we would never get involved in an inappropriate relationship, Jesus makes it clear that we are definitely capable of going that direction (Matt. 5:28). And if you stop to think about the circumstances that lead people into heinous crimes, we should be able to say, "But for the grace of God, I could be there too. God protected me all along the way so that I would not fall into that sin." God said to the first murderer, "If thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door." (Gen. 4:7). One sin leads us into another which then leads us down a path which at one time we would not have followed. As Paul said, "Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall." (I Cor. 10:12) Pride is often the very sin that will lead us into other sins.
8. I am proud when I am unwilling to forgive. Over and over again we are commanded to forgive. There are no qualifiers placed on forgiveness. We are not told that we only need to forgive others if they are repentant or if they have asked for forgiveness. Instead, we are told to forgive. We are given an example in Jesus' words of forgiveness on the cross that show us that we forgive even when the perpetrator is in the middle of committing the sin and obviously not repentant. Paul says that we are to forgive as we have been forgiven. I know that I have sinned against my Father in heaven far more than anyone on earth has sinned against me, so it is incongruous that I would refuse to forgive someone else unless I want to endanger my own soul. Jesus tells us that if we refuse to forgive, we separate ourselves from God's forgiveness. (Mark 12:25-26) In addition, God is not pleased with our gifts unless we are ready to forgive others. (Matt. 5:23-25) If I am unwilling to forgive, I am telling God to His face that I know better than He does when it comes to this matter of forgiveness. If that is not pride, I do not know what is.
9. I am proud if I think my sins are less offensive to God than those of other people. According to Proverbs 6:16-20, the sin of pride is listed first in a list of "abominations" to God. The sin of pride keeps us from following God. It keeps people from asking God to save them. It causes discord among the brethren. It gives us a bad reputation. Yet sometimes we keep insisting that we are not as bad as others, refusing to admit the pride that is standing in the way of restored relationships with God and with others.
10. I am proud if I think I need to defend myself and stand up for myself. Paul wrote, "Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, sayeth the Lord." (Rom. 12:19) If we take vengeance into our own hands, we will do it poorly and, in so doing, we get in God's way in His ability to do it perfectly. Years ago I met a wealthy Christian businessman who lost millions to an accountant who had stolen from him. I asked him what he had done about it. "I fired him," he replied, "but I forgave him because I knew God had forgiven me much more." He went on to say that his friends thought he was crazy for not trying to get all that money back, but he believed that he needed to leave everything in God's hands and let God take care of it.
11. I am proud when I speak evil of others. (Ps. 101:5) Slander and gossip destroy. They destroy reputations and careers. Often when we speak evil of others, we do not know the whole story, yet we are prone to cast judgment and speak to others of it when we would never want the same thing done to us. Once again, we sometimes think we are "above" the sin which the other has committed and so we speak too freely of what they have done. Instead, we need to remember that we are not to let ANY bad communication come out of our mouths but only those things that edify the body. (Eph. 4:29)
12. I am proud when I think I am more spiritual than others. Too often those who are thought of as "spiritual" by others are a lot less spiritual than they would like to think. Jesus had very critical things to say of the spiritual leaders of his day because they were blinded by pride. Often it is pride that holds "spiritual" people from advancement because they think they have already arrived. If they were truly spiritual, they would encourage those who are weak rather than tearing them down. (Rom. 15:1) They would be quick to forgive as Christ has forgiven us. They would, in other words, not have these and other evidences of pride in their lives. 

I hate the pride that I see in my own life. It is a daily struggle. Like a pervasive weed, it springs up in a new area whenever I think I have properly humbled myself before the Lord. I often find myself pleading with God to have mercy on me and to do His work of humbling me so that I will be useful to Him.

Do you hate the pride you see in your own life? I hope so.

Note: This is far from a complete list. If you want more help on this topic, a variety of ministries have come up with more complete ones. Revive Our Hearts, for example, has put together a list of 41 evidences.

Ladies’ Winter Retreat

Most of the ladies’ retreats I encountered in Maine were day-long retreats packed with teaching.  This was valuable and a great boost to the women who attended.  Yet I longed for something that I had experienced years ago where people got together in a beautiful setting away from home with a little bit more relaxed schedule.  That way we would actually spend time with the other people there and have extra time for meditation and time with the Lord.  I wanted an overnight retreat in a beautiful location with the women of our church. 

The first question that needed to be answered was “When should it be?” As we looked over the church calendar, it looked quite full. There was one gaping hole: January. The let-down after Christmas was felt by a number of women. I also began to hear the women expressing a desire to get together during those cold winter months when it seemed that winter would never end. Then there were other advantages to planning it for the depth of winter. Retreat locations would be cheaper. Schedules would be freer. Speakers would be more likely to be available. So the idea of a winter retreat was born.

Ladies gathered for evening session on Friday night.

Since leaving our church, it is this event that I have most missed.  I loved hearing the women lift their voices in song together.  I loved seeing the fruit from times spent alone with God.  I loved hearing the laughter that came from being in a relaxed location.  I loved seeing the women head out into the snow for a walk together and then come back with cheeks bright red, stomping the feeling back into their toes, and seeing the growing bond between them.  If I could be there every year for this event, I would be very happy. 

So it was a delight to me when it worked out for me to both attend and speak to my precious sisters at this event.  Here are some of the blessings from those two days together.      

College women taking a "selfie".

• It was the first time in years that we did not have to drive through the snow to get there.  The resort where we gathered was about two hours from Bangor, so good weather for driving was a real blessing.
• Lynn taught a craft so that everyone who came early was able to take home a handmade project as a reminder of the event.
• Gwen shared her testimony of how God has faithfully led them through the years.
• Corinne, one of our supporters, came and shared her 85th birthday with us during the event.  Deborah, (who was not able to stay because of childcare duties) drove her down.
• I met new women who have become part of our church since we left. 

  

  Alone time with God.

• After each session, the women retreated to a quiet place to reflect and pray over what they had heard.  It was a blessing to see these women seeking the Lord.  There were a few tears for some women during this time, and it did my heart good to see God’s working in their lives.
• Once again, there was singing and a lot of laughter. 
• On Sunday morning and evening, a number of women gave praise to God for the ways He taught and blessed them during the retreat.

What a blessing it was to me to be there.  It may well be the last time I will be able to attend this event.  Who knows?  Maybe some of the women we’ve gotten to know down here will want to see something like this started here.

Excitement: Real or Fake?

WITH NOTES TO SELF

Shortly after I graduated from college, I went back home for a while to work off the small debt I had accrued during my last year in college.  I quickly found a job waiting tables and cars at a small drive-in restaurant.

One day I arrived to hear two of my co-workers talking about someone I didn’t know.  Evidently, someone had died in a car accident and they were very concerned for the family members of the deceased.  I had read the paper this morning.  I didn’t see any mention of a car accident.  The way they were talking, I thought it would be front page news.  Finally, I interrupted and asked how they knew this person.  Sheepishly, the cook admitted that they were talking about a soap opera.

That was my first experience with real emotions expended over a false reality.  While I had personally experienced it to a degree in the reading of novels or watching a television show, I don’t think I had ever gotten so caught up in it that I was still talking about it several days later, trying to come to grips with the dynamics of fictional events.

Yet there are times when the excitement we see when we are out and about reminds me of that experience.  A lot of energy and emotion can be expended over things that pale in comparison to others.  I fall so easily into the trap myself.  Sometimes I think that a little entertainment is worth the time I put into it when there are many things that matter so much more that are waiting to be done.  So let me ask you.  Which do you think is better?  

• The excitement (and exhaustion) that comes from raising a family or the excitement of watching the Duggars raise theirs? 
• The excitement of watching a cooking competition on TV or the real joy of taking a meal to an exhausted mother or shut-in?  I’m not opposed to quality entertainment.  I just don’t want to be a watcher on the stage of life when I could be an actor.  Note to self:  The next time you’re watching something on TV, make sure your hands are busy with something more permanent.
• The excitement of a shopping trip to find Christmas presents for people whose closets are already full or the excitement of sending a gift to someone who is trying to survive on $3.00 a month?  Note to self:  Find more joy in giving to the needy than in giving to those who already have.  Remember, “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”
• The excitement of winning a war on your video game or the excitement of actually getting out there and engaging in spiritual combat against the forces of evil?  Note to self:  Make sure you are daily engaged in battle for the souls of others.  As Paul put it so well, “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” 
• The excitement of climbing a mountain with a group of friends or the excitement of personally (or corporately) reaching new spiritual heights?  Note to self:  Encourage yourself and your friends to be more concerned with spiritual discipline than with physical achievements.  As Paul wrote to Timothy, “ For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”

The list could go on, but you get the picture.

This morning I was reading in Acts where Philip had gone to teach and preach.  The end of the story reads, “And there was great joy in that city.”  Great joy.  That’s what I like to see.  So what had been going on?  The people there listened and obeyed Philip’s teaching and they saw many miracles taking place – miracles such as people being healed and set free from demons. 

In the past two years of deputation, we have had the privilege of being in churches where excitement abounds.  The excitement is not being generated by the music, social events, children's activities, or even the next thing on the calendar.  The excitement we see seems to be about the obvious work of God in their midst.  People are being saved from the clutches of their sin.  Lives are being changed.  People are telling others about the greatest thing that has ever happened to them.  They are encouraging people to come to their church because they are excited about what they see God doing in their their own lives and in the lives of their friends.  They want their friends and colleagues to experience what they have. 

I like excitement.  But more and more I want it to be the kind of excitement that causes heaven to rejoice. 

God’s Sweet Voice

I love it when God speaks clearly.  It’s scary if it’s been too long since I’ve heard that clear voice of His.  Whether His voice speaks comfort, conviction, direction, or wisdom, I need to know He’s speaking clearly.  I want to know it’s His voice and not my own selfish desires directing the choices I’m making.

We went to Mississippi to participate in a missions conference.  There was wonderful fellowship with other missionaries and pastors.  The music and the speakers were tremendous.  But the best part of those three days was God’s clear voice speaking to my heart.

His Sweet Voice in Scripture

On Tuesday morning, I took Charlie to the conference and returned to the hotel room to read and pray.  I prayed about our deputation.  I prayed for Charlie and the contacts he was making.  I prayed about my ministry.  I asked, “Lord, what exactly is my role in this whole deputation process?”   I heard Him speak to my heart and say, “Read Ephesians 4:1.”

I opened my Bible and read,

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.

Wow!  Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith I am called.  That’s a tall order.  I have been called to be a wife to my dear husband, a missionary with IPM, a representative of the King of Kings, and a fellow traveller on my way to heaven with many other fellow travellers. 

“Okay,” I responded to the Lord.  “I get it.  I’m to walk in a way that is worthy of the calling on my life.  But HOW?  How am I supposed to fulfill such a tall order?

So I read on,

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

So it’s not so much WHAT I do as HOW I do it.  My role is to have an attitude of humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness and unity.  In my calling as a wife, those are necessary.  In my calling as a fellow missionary, those are necessary.  In my calling as a fellow Christian, those are necessary.  Whether I’m alone with Charlie or out in the public eye, I need these qualities.  When I relate to others, I need these.  When I’m tempted to get discouraged or complain, I need these.  I have been so focused on the WHAT, that I’d forgotten that God looks at the heart and sees everything based on that.  I need to develop His attitudes in me.

His Sweet Voice during Preaching

On Wednesday morning, I sat listening to the preacher talk about the need of the world to hear the gospel.  I cannot give you his three points because the Holy Spirit was using that time to speak deeply to my heart.  When the altar call came, I knew I needed to respond.  Yes, I could have responded in my seat, but it was important that I publicly acknowledge that God was working on me.  I went to the altar with deep sorrow and repentance. He convicted me of sin and reminded me once again of things that I had forgotten.  He helped me regain my focus on Him and on the need to stay focused on eternity. God is far more patient with me than I usually am with others.

His Sweet Voice in Consensus

When the conference was over, we loaded up our display and headed to the car.  Travelling down the road, I told Charlie of the Holy Spirit’s conviction and why I had gone forward.  He then told me that the Lord had addressed an area of need in his life too – the same one for which I had come under conviction.  We realized it was the Lord’s way of directing us as a couple  .It was like a light went on right in front of us directing us in the choice of a home base.

By speaking to us individually about the same thing, we walked away from the conference saying, “We really need to be part of a church that has soul winning as a major part of its makeup.”  It was suddenly so clear to me that I needed a church like that, and then I found out Charlie came to the same conclusion.  We knew God had spoken clear direction into our lives to help us find a home church.

I Need His Voice

We know God can use circumstances to guide as well, but it is the clear sweet voice of the Holy Spirit that I crave.  I need to hear HIm speak clearly in every aspect of my life.  As Moses said to the Lord,

“If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.  For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight?  Is it not in that thou goest with us?”   

I agree.

A Whiff of Wisteria

For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.  As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.  For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.  Psalm 103:14-16

I smelled them before I saw them - a strong floral scent on the wind.  I looked around and didn't see anything that looked like it could be producing such a beautiful smell.  Then I looked up the road.  More than a block away, wisteria hung like clusters of grapes from a vine, high up in the trees.  The closer I got, the stronger the smell.  It was the first time I remember seeing so many of them growing wild.

I clipped one bunch of flowers and carried it home, placing it in a slender vase.  Within hours, however, the petals had shrivelled and died. 

They were so beautiful that the next day I returned to the tree-clinging wisteria vines to take pictures.  Once again I could smell them before I was even close.  Bumblebees buzzed among them, collecting their sweet nectar. 


I remembered the reminders from Scripture that our lives are temporary and short-lived.  We are like flowers of the field that (hopefully) give off beauty and sweet fragrance for a time and then are no more. 

Although the stem I had cut had withered and died, the scent was still there.  Gathering the petals together in a small bowl, I kept them by my computer so that I could catch a whiff of their sweet smell as I worked.


Lord, let my life be like these wisteria flowers.  Let it be a sweet smell to people around me.  Let it shout your amazing grace to everyone who stops to look at what You have done.  And when my life is over,  let it linger on for a while as a testimony to Your glory, creative wisdom, and power.