The Powerful Problem of Perpetual Pride...

I would like to start out by saying that I was prompted to write this entry following the Mpact Break Out Session class last night in which we discussed pride. That being said, pride can and is often a hindrance in our spiritual walk. Now, before you misunderstand what I'm trying to say, let me clarify this by saying that not all pride is bad! If pride leads you to want to go deeper and do more for God then that is not wrong. What I am trying to say, is pride can cause us to stumble when we let it separate us from God as evidenced in the Bible in Proverbs 16:18 where is says "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." I will give you an example to help you to understand the difference between good pride and devastating pride.

Johnny sees his friend Jarrod reading his Bible and praying. Jarrod then goes to Johnny and asks if he needs prayer for anything in his life. Johnny responds by saying no even though he knows he is about to loose his job, his wife and he are having marital problems, and his kids are out running the streets doing drugs, drinking, etc. Johnny's PRIDE kept him from seeking help for his situation. Now we will take the same situation and twist it slightly where pride becomes a good thing. Johnny see Jarrod reading his Bible and praying. Johnny takes pride in being a good Christian and his PRIDE leads him to follow in Jarrod's example and pick up the Bible and pray to God. Later when Jarrod asks Johnny if he needs prayer, Johnny says yes and they begin to pray over his needs and ask God to help him. You see in this scenario Johnny's PRIDE leads him to seek God and to more importantly seek God's will for his life.

Remember 2 Chronicles 7:14 "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." You must humble yourself AND pray AND seek God AND turn from your wicked ways (repent). It is really an all or nothing proposition...

You see, some people have a problem asking people for directions, and they will often spend hours driving around in circles rather than stopping and seeking help. We will tear apart objects and try to assemble products without ever looking at the manufacturer's instructions because we think we know how to put it together better than the person who made it. Likewise, people will spend their entire lives seeking answers in books, on the television, through friends, with the end result being they spin their wheels and often end up right back where they started with little or no change and still seeking resolution to their dilemma. Why not put aside your pride and ask the Maker of the heavens and the earth for your answer? After all, who better to ask for help then the person who made it all to start with?