For me, the desire to be a winner all boils down to my pride. I want what I want – and am willing to argue you to death until you say, “OK, you win.” And I got what I wanted. It isn’t even totally a matter of “I’m right, you’re wrong.” If I can get you to blink, then I have gotten MY way – right or wrong.
But what does God have to say about pride (and believe me, He has a LOT to say about it)? The verses that always strike a chord with me are Proverbs 6:16-17, “These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination with Him: a proud look…” Now I don’t know about you, but when God says He hates something, when God says something is an abomination to Him, I think it behooves me to sit up and pay closer attention. And while there are seven things listed that God hates, what is the number one thing on the list? “A proud look” or I have seen it translated as a “haughty spirit.”
I have said it before – I struggle with pride. It seems as if I always have. And sometimes when I think I have it “under control,” the Holy Spirit taps me on the shoulder, so to speak, and says, “Now aren’t you proud that you have overcome your proud spirit.” And I go, “duh,” because I haven’t beaten it back at all. It is still lurking just below (and sometimes not even just below) the surface of my actions or words waiting for me to rise up and proclaim how proud I am for saying or doing something instead of giving God the glory that He has enabled me to do it.
We live in a society that is all about recognition – having someone say we have done a good job or getting an award for having done something. But the ONLY One I want to hear say, “well done” is Jesus when I stand before Him to give an account of all of the things I have done with my life. Oh, I can bask in worldly recognition and get my prideful self all puffed up, but when I get to heaven, none of that will mean one thing. Unless what I have done I have done with the motive of glorifying God, doing HIS will and bringing the recognition to HIM, whatever I have done is meaningless in His eyes (or like “filthy rags” in Isa. 64:6).
So, once again, today, I am praying that Jesus Christ will infuse His humble Spirit into me and begin to make me into His own humble, and ultimately, glorious image.
Lynn Randall
Written by Lynn Randall: Lynn Randall is the Director of Human Resources at America’s KESWICK. She is active in her church and is a gifted planner and organizer. She has a real heart for people as evidenced by her care, concern and practical encouragement.
Think About This: “Offer God what you have and trust Him to give you what you need.” — Craig Groeschel