Jump Start # 917

Proverbs 29:23 “A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.”

Pride—it’s a real problem that most of us have to fight. Pride sticks it’s head up in several ways.

Some just think and talk too much about self. Every story, every situation, somehow they inject self into it. Pride makes us believe that we are the center of the universe and everything revolves around us. Everything suggested or done is viewed in terms of self. Why should I? What do I benefit from this? If there is no personal gain, pride will cause a person to find excuses for not helping others. Pride stands in the way of the servant spirit that Jesus manifested.

For others, pride keeps them from admitting wrong. A radio station several years ago had listeners call in to describe what “forever” meant. One woman said, “forever was waiting for her husband to apologize.” That’s pride. Instead of apologizing, pride finds excuses. This form of pride pushes relationships and finds it hard to connect with the Lord. Repentance is hard for those who manifest this form of pride.

Still others have pride issue when it comes to knowledge. There are things not understood or learned. Instead of listening, learning, and growing, pride pretends to know. This usually becomes disastrous because the person gets in over his head and makes a mess because he doesn’t know what he is doing. This manifests it self with someone who doesn’t know home repairs, auto mechanics, directions, finance, medical care or even facts about the Bible. He thinks he knows, but he doesn’t. His advice is off, because he is wrong. He speaks with confidence but he is ignorant of things. His pride won’t let him be still. He feels compelled to thrust his opinions into conversations and forward his wrong ideas.

Our passage states a truth—a man’s pride will bring him low. His pride will mess him up. His pride will anger others. His pride will get in his way of a rich fellowship with others at church. The proud person turns others off. People do not like being around a proud person. A one sided conversation gets old very fast. Worst of all, his pride will trip him with God. He will not admit his sins, his weakness or his need for guidance. His faith is shallow, hollow, and superficial. It’s enough to calm his guilt but not enough to make any real changes. His pride gets in the way of that. His attitude, words, lifestyle reflects very little change after coming to Christ. He’s basically the same person, except he happens to go to church on Sunday. He is not the new man as the New Testament teaches over and over. Rather, he’s the same old person. Pride has kept him from really knowing the Lord.

So what do we do with our pride? We ought to toss it out the window, but that’s hard to do. Denying self is the first step in discipleship and it’s the hardest step. Our pride can be lessened and lessened with time and by drinking deeply from the life of Jesus. See Jesus. Listen to Jesus. Follow Jesus. Imitate Jesus. You do this by reading the gospels over and over. You see how He answered questions. You see Him allowing others to interrupt Him. You see Him being patient with others. You see compassion and kindness. You see Him listening to the cares of others.

Is there hope for the proud person? Yes. Can our pride be controlled and managed? Yes. Can we actually be humble? Yes. It’s possible though God’s way. That is about the only way.

Pride pushes self. Instead, we ought to promote God. Pride is about self. Humbleness is about others. The very thing pride wants, attention, it fails to achieve. Pride brings one low. The humble way is what gets honor, from God.

Pride is something that you and I can conquer. It is one of those things that if we do not conquer it, it will conquer us.

There is a hymn that goes, “O to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer, this is my constant longing and prayer…” To be like Thee…wouldn’t that be wonderful!

Roger