Sometimes I cry when I see an element of pride in my heart, specifically, that moment of being gratified with a good performance. God hates it - He deserves ALL the glory.
Elements of Pride
Pride is the feeling you get when you have achieved something, which probably makes you feel good about yourself or you think makes you stand out.
It's a good feeling.
But it can be a disease.
"The disease of pride comes before the falling" is what popped into my mind.
The original quote is:
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)
It appears as though the verse was abbreviated while keeping some elements of the meaning behind those words.
Pride kills slowly.
It is very dangerous because it is hard to spot. When it comes to diagnosing our hearts, those of us who have the disease of pride have a challenging time identifying our sickness.
Related: The Heart Healing Centre
Pride infects our eyesight, causing us to view ourselves through a lens that colours and distorts reality. Pride will paint even our ugliness in sin as beautiful and commendable. Pride will draw our strengths larger than our vulnerabilities.
We all have an element of pride.
We can’t conclude that we don’t struggle with pride because we don’t see pride in our hearts.
It's a good feeling to feel good about what you did right, achieved or received. If you are not careful, you might become addicted to that feeling . . . Resulting to a disease called "pride".
That awesome moments when I pat myself on the back for how excellent my presentations went are the moments that should alarm me the most.
I should be like, "Hey, watch it girl!"
God hates pride. He sees it. He knows it, and will not bless us, when we have it.
I want to have a heart like Jesus - an open heart, soft, and pliable, not hard, not blocking my own blessings.
When God reveals a symptom of sickness in my heart, it is usually for my benefit, and for you. So when I write, I know He speaks to me as He speaks to you.
I want us to acknowledge that pride expresses itself in various forms:
High Sense Of self: When you excessively believe in your abilities and talk about them, you are proud. You're almost hitting your chest and saying "I am the best". This will eventually backfire on you because you won't be able to learn from others.
Do you talk about yourself too much?
Do you talk about yourself too much?
Stubbornness: When you are too "proud" to admit you are wrong, you become stubborn, refusing to change strategy or direction, instead, sticking with your errant conviction. This will stunt your progress to becoming a better person.
Do you have a hard time admitting when you are wrong? Are you argumentative?
Seeking Attention: Pride is hungry for attention, respect, and worship in all its forms. It might be that you can't say “no” to anyone because you need to be needed. This will make you crave and love the glory from men than obeying God.
Do you worry about what others think of you? Too concerned about your reputation?
Related: Greatness Ahead, Thread Humbly
Do you worry about what others think of you? Too concerned about your reputation?
Related: Greatness Ahead, Thread Humbly
Diminishing Others: Pride is not just about thinking highly of yourself, but diminishing others as well. It is an unloving and unwise characteristic and certainly as deadly a sin as we’ve been taught.
Do you avoid being around certain people because you feel inferior compared to them/don’t feel you measure up?
Do you avoid being around certain people because you feel inferior compared to them/don’t feel you measure up?
Jealousy: When you are too "proud", you don’t reach out, you don’t try to be friendly or nice, because basically the pride won’t let you. The jealousy stops you. So, in some strange way, by denying the existence of someone is pride.
Related: Why You Are Always Jealous
You can't be a sweetheart with pride.
Related: Why You Are Always Jealous
You can't be a sweetheart with pride.
Many of us struggle with pride and don't even know. I pray God helps us identify it soon enough before we lose our blessings and forfeit the glory set before us.
To be honest, this is something that has to be worked on over, and over again, in my journey.
Thank God, there is room for change. We can always amend our ways and cry to God for repentance.
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
(Psalm 139:23–24)
Like I said, it's good to be proud of our brands and the things that we do to promote it. But we shouldn't let it get into our heads.
Enjoy your success and good performance – not in a haughty way, but in the context of giving God the glory and shinning Jesus.
That's the way to achieve more. Move forward. Shine brighter.
Happy New Week!
Stay humble!
Stay inspired!
Stay humble!
Stay inspired!
Questions:
- What is the difference between pride and self-confidence?
- Is it pride to tell someone else they are proud?
- What is the difference between pride and self-confidence?
- Is it pride to tell someone else they are proud?
Written by Nwamaka Ajaegbu
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Heart Rays . . . giving out the light.
