«A haughty look, a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked are sin» (Proverbs 21 :4).
CAN YOU GUESS THE CHARACTER DEFECT? The more we have of it ourselves, the more we dislike it in others; and when we have it, we are the last ones to realize it?
The answer is pride. What is wrong with pride? According to C. S. Lewis, pride is so evil that anger, greed and drunkenness seem like «mere flea bites in comparison.»
Among many others, there are at least two reasons to explain why that is so. One of them is mentioned by Lewis himself when he affirms that pride is ultimately competition. Those who are proud, Lewis writes, not only get pleasure out of having something, but out of having more of it than others. Thus, for instance, a millionaire’s pride is not only to have money, but to have more than others. This means that there would be no proud millionaires if we were all equally rich.
The other problem with pride is mentioned by B. Russell Holt when he writes that pride «anesthetizes» spiritual perceptions so that it prevents the proud from becoming aware of their condition. This fact explains why those who are proud are quick to detect faults in others, but are totally unaware of theirs.
An example that illustrates this is found in Korah’s rebellion against Moses’s leadership. Considering that he was a descendant of Levi, who played an important part in caring for the sanctuary, why did Korah rebel? Hadn’t he been in the group that accompanied Moses in his ascent up the mount where he witnessed God’s glory? So what happened? «Though appointed to the service of the tabernacle, [Korah] had become dissatisfied with his position and aspired to the dignity of the priesthood,» which was granted to Aaron and his descendants.—Patriarchs and Prophets, ch. 35, p. 395,
In other words, Korah wanted more. He already had influence, but he wanted more. He already had privileges, but he wanted more. Actually, wasn’t that the same sin that caused Lucifer to fall? No wonder that out of all the sins, pride is «the most hopeless, the most incurable.»—Christ’s Object Lessons, ch, 13, p. 154,
On the opposite end of pride is humility, illustrated to the utmost by Him who «though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to,» but «instead, He gave up his divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave» (Philippians 2:6, 7, NLT), and in the end died for you and me on the cross.
Dear Father, may my greatest reason for glory be Christ and Him crucified.
And when pride wants to take root in my heart, remind me how much my salvation cost.
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2022
“GREAT IS OUR GOD!”
From: FERNANDO ZABALA
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate
