Disclaimer: This brief series of posts is addressing issues that commonly remove our focus from the meaning of life, and, as previously mentioned, reserves the right to more meaningfully impact the writer than the reader. All comments are welcome. However, irrelevant comments may be ignored. (I hope you are amused by my assumption that there will actually be readers of this post...and I am not just typing to myself).
1. The Problem: Pride
A lot of our worry comes from an unhealthy interest in self. Sure, we do worry about others. Yet, even our compassion can be tilted in a return direction. Consider frequent sources of concern: MY schoolwork, MY job, MY friends, MY family, MY health, MY popularity, MY acceptance, MY happiness, MY doubts, MY fears... feel free to continue.
Ayn Rand, in her novella Anthem, made a statement that--rather we like to admit it or not--really embodies the Western ideal:
"And now I see the face of god, and I raise this god over the earth, this god whom men have sought since men came into being, this god who will grant them joy and peace and pride. This god, this one word: "I.""(Rand)
The Bible, however, is pretty clear on this issue. In fact, pride (the worship of self) is the root of sin.
2. The Bible
Though we could look at a multitude of verses on this subject, I will only consider a few. Each touch on a similar truth--pride not only taints all human action, but it also leads only to despair and destruction.
"2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom." - Proverbs 11:2 ESV
This verse points out that pride leads to disgrace. Arrogance can only be maintain so far. There will always be someone faster, stronger, smarter, pretty, etc... Likewise, we are never perfectly fast, strong, smart, pretty, etc... Therefore, if we live self-confidently--devoted to our own infallibility--we will experience shame. This facade cannot be maintained; it will crumble.
Likewise, the verse sets pride directly against Godly wisdom. To be proud is to reject wisdom.
"18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." - Proverbs 16:18 ESV
This verse is one of the best known in all of scripture. Unfortunately, it is more frequently ignored than quoted. Don't, however, let familiarity cause apathy. Destruction is a strong word. Pride will destroy. Pride is the root of sin. Sin embraced is salvation rejected. Salvation rejected is Hell endured. Pride leads to Hell...period. It is grievous that we do not take this more seriously.
"3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." - Matthew 5:3-12 ESV
I love the Sermon on the Mount. Here Jesus famously begins with what have come to be known as the beatitudes--a fancy word that I did not understand even into my adult life that means "conditions of blessing or blessedness". These are descriptions of the Christian life. A Christian should reflect all, not some, of these statements. Now, consider these descriptions: poor in spirit (acknowledging spiritual need), mourning (displaying sorrow), meekness (gentle in nature), hungering and thirsting for righteous (desiring God), merciful (showing...mercy...forgiveness), pure in heart (untainted by the embracing of sin), peacemaking (spreading the heart of God), persecuted for another (living wholeheartedly for Christ). Here is a clear picture of humility.
Pride has no place in His design--lest we, like Satan, exchange the worship of God for the worship of self.
Ponder, pray, and propagate your perceptions.
Upchurch
Work Cited
Rand, Ayn. "Part Eleven." Anthem. Page by Page Books, n.d. Web. 13 June 2014.
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