Pride is a sin which I can so easily spot in others and too seldom recognize in myself. Or, at least in the moment when I am responding in pride, I fail to check myself and choose humility instead. It is my suspicion, based on my observation of others, that I am not alone in this struggle.
This thought is prompted by reading Andrew Murray’s excellent book entitled Humility. In Chapter 2 of that book, Murray lists the following behaviors as being rooted in pride:
- Lack of love
- Indifference to the needs, feelings, and weaknesses of others
- Sharp and hasty judgments and utterances
- Manifestations of temper and touchiness and irritation (not using the excuse of being outright and honest)
- Feelings of bitterness and estrangement
In fact, when one considers how deeply pride infects our sense of self and how we function, we can see that pride is the primary thing that prevents us from fully satisfying the two great commands to love God fully, and love our neighbor as ourselves.
The antidote to this pride is humility. I cannot in good conscience tell you that I’ve made much progress in fostering humility in myself, but I can say that the starting point for developing this trait is to acknowledge complete and utter dependence upon God as its source. I suspect that full submission to God is the antidote to pride.
I wonder how outsiders would respond to the church if their first impression was that the church is about humility and service to others. Too often, this is not the impression given by Christians to non believers, myself included.
God, grant us the ability to see where pride is inhibiting our relationship with you and with others. Grant us the ability to repent, receive your forgiveness, and live in humble submission to your will.
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