Discussing the current Presidential contest in America someone observed - “He is a narcissist!” Well, yes, I suppose anyone who claims they are ready to be the most powerful person in the world, the President of the United States, would have to have a strong confidence in their own strengths and abilities. Sitting in the Oval Office would otherwise be an impossibly crushing weight of responsibility. But, my question was “when does a healthy self-esteem morph into a toxic pride?” It’s a question we all do well to ponder.
Pride has derailed human beings from the dawn of history. Pride makes people mean, blocks meaningful relationships,
and misdirects millions to pretend to be what they are not. Let’s remember that self-esteem can be healthy
when kept in the right place but when it turns into ugly pride, it is the root
of some really bad stuff!
The appeal to
pride is an old as the story of Eden. The
serpent approaches Eve with an invitation to disobey the directive. His appeal is a subtle invitation to pride - “You
won’t die!” the serpent hissed. “God knows that your eyes will be opened when
you eat it. You will become just like God, knowing everything, both good
and evil.” The woman was convinced. The fruit looked so fresh and delicious,
and it would make her so wise! So she ate some of the fruit. She also gave some
to her husband, who was with her. Then he ate it, too." (Genesis
3:4-6, NLT)
And, the lure to become a little god remains with us, a strong pull towards prideful self-expression replacing the healthy love for ourselves that grows out of the assurance that each of us is made in God’s own image, people who are loved and incredibly valuable, unique in a world of billions!
Pride is revealed in the frequency of the use of one small word - “I.” The prideful person believes that the best life revolves around his comfort, his concerns, his reputation, his preferences, his emotions, and his agenda. Pride will show up in grandiose behaviors, in monologues about ‘me,’ and in a growing gap between inner reality and external image. It’s an ugly way to live; tragic, lonely, and paradoxically – what the proud person desires most - the love of others - is denied him because he is self-absorbed, which is the shortest road to obscurity!
Jesus taught us to seek God first and to serve willingly. This, He said, is the way God desires and will lead us to a rich experience. The ancient preacher was inspired with this heavenly wisdom for us. "This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise man gloat in his wisdom, or the mighty man in his might, or the rich man in his riches. Let them boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who is just and righteous, whose love is unfailing, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!" (Jeremiah 9:23-24, NLT)
So, how do we defeat pride? The Word shows us the prime example. "You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names." (Philippians 2:5-9, NLT)
Jesus was no superman, nor did He swagger into the darkness of the world, cultivating human power. The Gospel says it simply - "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:10, NIV) His call to us is summed up this way - "and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:27-28, NIV) He became involved with our need, fully human, and served! He suffered with us, that He might save us. He was no demi-god, dabbling in our world. He humbled himself to become one of us, setting aside His divine prerogatives for our sake. The night before He went to the Cross He took a towel and washed His friend’s dirty feet, without any sense of pride, to demonstrate true love that serves.
Pride dies when we trust Him as Lord and embrace the call
to follow Him without reservation, serving God and others in love.
Are you willing to set aside your ‘glory?’ Will you become the person that God desires you to be by serving? Don’t look around wondering who’s watching and what they think. Just serve for Christ’s sake. Don’t calculate the potential for reward or recognition, just serve for Heaven’s reward. Jesus promises that “your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6) Lord, increase our faith to receive your Word!
Let me leave you pondering a story Jesus told at a wedding where the guests were competing to sit at the best tables. May the call to humility that allows us to experience God’s rewards own our hearts. The word from the Word says -
“If you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t always head
for the best seat. What if someone more respected than you has also been
invited? The host will say, ‘Let this person sit here instead.’ Then you will
be embarrassed and will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the
table! “Do this instead—sit at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees
you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place than this for you!’
Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For the proud will
be humbled, but the humble will be honored.” (Luke 14:8-11, NLT) What a thought!
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(Video of this blog at this link)
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light my strength my song
This Cornerstone this solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love what depths of peace
When fears are stilled when strivings cease
My Comforter my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
Keith Getty, Stuart Townend
© 2001 Thankyou Music
CCLI License #810055
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