1 John 2:15-16
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
Pride has been the prevalent sin of all mankind since the Garden of Eden. We might even predate it earlier than the creation of Adam and Eve. Satan was consumed with a spirit of pride and desired to be high and lifted up to a position of divinity. He tempted Eve in the Garden by causing her to believe that the reason she and Adam were not allowed to eat from the Tree of Good and Evil was that they would become like God.
Years ago I heard the story of a pastor who announced to his congregation that he would be starting a series on pride and a call to true humility. After the first sermon in the series he was met at the door by a little lady who was so pleased with his new series. She told her pastor that she did not have many gifts or talents, but she was very PROUD of her humility. It made him want to cry.
When we stop to analyze the situation, most of us are very preoccupied with ourselves. Our chief aim is to satisfy ourselves. Even when offering a helping hand to someone else we want to make sure that we get credit for it. In other words, it is all about our own personal pride, the battleground of humanity.
Paul urges us to get our eyes off of the worldly and focus on the spiritual. Our goal should be always to inquire of the Lord what He is leading us to accomplish. We also need to keep our eyes open to see where He is at work around us and then making sure that we join in His program.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil