Pastor’s Corner: “Unseen Enemy”
1 Corinthians 10:12 (NLT) – 12 If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.
A famous explorer in South America was once forced to abandon his journey by an almost invisible enemy. He was equipped to meet leopards, serpents and crocodiles. They proved to be no threat, but what he had failed to consider were the tiny insects called chiggers. Chiggers are so tiny that in North America we call them the “no see-ums.” Pride and chiggers have a lot in common. Pride comes in little ways, unseen actions, subtle thoughts or inconspicuous comments. Unguarded attitudes and random thoughts are prime breeding grounds for pride. As Christians we can become lazy with our words, what we watch and our thought life. This laziness can lead to apathy and indifference in our Christian walk opening the door wide for pride to take root.
The proud preoccupy themselves with looking down on others. C.S. Lewis said, “A proud man is always looking down on things and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you” (Mere Christianity). It is easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others. We can look at others and be comforted, knowing we are not as bad as they are. Yet, in our self-righteous defense we show our pride—like the Pharisee in Luke 18, who said, “Thank you, God, for making me better than the tax collector.” But Jesus said it was the tax collector, not the Pharisee, who went to his house justified that day.
We don’t usually realize what’s at stake when we allow pride to take root in our life, but it not only affects our relationship with God, it also destroys our relationships with those around us. Pride will prevent us from reaching the potential of what God wants to do in and through us. Even if the world sees us as a success, a self-motivated and self-empowered ministry lacks value in the Lord’s eyes. Here are just a few things we learn about pride from the Scriptures: Pride is one of the 7 things God hates. (Proverbs 6:16-19). Pride goes before destruction. (Proverbs 16:18). God opposes the proud. (James 4:6)
Pride is a sin no one is immune from. It can take different forms. Some of us struggle with boasting in our own abilities or gifts, while others have a hard time finding anything worthy in themselves. Both of these are a preoccupation with SELF. The person at the center of attention finds worth and value in what others think, and the one in the corner believes they have no worth or value because of what others think. One has selfish ambition to make their name known; the other is jealous of those held in high esteem. The root issue for each person is pride. The cure for both is rather than having a preoccupation for self, is to develop and preoccupation for God and His son Jesus – to set your mind and heart on the things of heaven!
When we give in to bitter jealousy and selfish ambition, we put our needs and desires ahead of the needs of our neighbor. James said this is not how it is supposed to be! Jesus’ words for us: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39) – “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:12–14).
If pride exists as earthly wisdom, then humility is the wisdom from above. This wisdom is pure. It brings peace, gentleness, mercy, and good fruits. It is sincere, impartial, and open to reason. When it is sown in peace, it results in a harvest of righteousness. I will end with Paul’s words: Galatians 5 – The wisdom of the world is the desires of the flesh, and the wisdom from above is the fruit of the Spirit – Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another”
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton