36/365- Pride

We are all proud of something. I take great pride in a lot of things. One of which is my service as an Officer of Marines. I have a soft spot for Uncle Sam's Misguided Children. If you know one thing about Marines, it's probably our slogan. The Few, The Proud... The Marines.


But you see, pride is tricky. It can be a good thing on one hand. Like to take pride in what you do makes you work hard and strive for excellence. You can be proud of accomplishing a difficult task or being a part of something great. Maybe you're proud of your children and the men and women they have grown up to be. There is nothing wrong with that.


Then there is the other kind. The subtle kind. The pride that starts off small and grows slowly over time. Pride tells you that you are too good for something, that you deserve something better. Pride convinces you that you are one of a select few important people, and that your existence is more important than most. Pride tells you that your worth or your opinion is better than someone else. This pride that tells you that you don't need anyone's help. Pride boosts the ego and weakens your sense of self awareness. It inflames your perceived value of yourself and diminishes the worth of those around you. This pride is dangerous, dividing, and disastrous if left unchecked. I have never seen an argument, a division, or a sin that didn't begin with pride. The very nature of sin is to think more highly of your own desires than those of God's or the people around you.


So be careful my friends to check your pride daily. Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8) Remember that Christ, being God himself, came to serve. Take pride in Him alone, and follow His example.

-Steve

Book recommendation for you! Check out "Humility: True Greatness" by C.J. Mahaney