Pride can be a dangerous trait!

I am sure you have heard the saying “Pride goes before the fall”! And sad to say for many people that is exactly what takes place. A person’s sense of pride can get out of control and can move them to act in ways which are not very beneficial for themselves or for those they may have a connection to.

When an individual thinks more of themselves than what would normally be healthy or acceptable, it creates a real dangerous situation for their reputation. And it can certainly affect the way they are seen by others. Immense pride in oneself often comes off as the person displaying an attitude of arrogance. This is not a very becoming characteristic for anyone to be portraying and it left unchecked it can become and extremely hazardous mindset!

Jesus, the humble servant, never spouted off with an arrogant or prideful demeanor, as He ministered to and taught those whom He interacted with while doing the work of the Father. In fact, Jesus himself said that it was the Father, who was to be glorified in Him. In the first portion of Luke 14, we hear these profound words of the Teacher, “ When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give your place to this person,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Jesus, the Christ, is our perfect example of a person of great humility, even though He is the Son of God, Lord of lords, and King of kings. His wonderful witness to us, when He walked upon the earth, is something we should all strive to emulate as His disciples.

This suffering servant was willing to leave His place of glory, at the Father’s right hand, to enter this world and subject Himself to ridicule and not praise, to disrespect and not honor, for you, me, and every other sinner. Now that my friends is with a doubt beyond all human rationale! Yet, that is exactly why He is deserving of all of our praise, honor, glory, and exhaltation.

Fellow saints be careful not to let your pride rise to a level which is dishonoring to the Lord and detrimental to your spiritual well-being. Having a feeling of pride in your work, abilities, and accomplishments are OK, if in the end the credit for all such blessings are reflected back on the Lord. For those who are humble will one day be exalted by the giver of all gifts!!!Pastor McCarty