Definitions for pride: 5243 huperephania-1) pride, haughtiness, arrogance 2) the character of one who, with a swollen estimate of his own powers or merits, who looks down on others and even treats them with insolence and contempt 5244 huperephanos-1) showing oneself above others, overtopping, conspicuous above others, preeminent 2) with an overweening estimate of one's means or merits, despising others or even treating them with contempt, haughty 5187 tuphoo-1) to raise a smoke, to wrap in a mist; metaphorically: a) to make proud, to puff up with pride, to render insolent b) to be puffed up with haughtiness or pride 2) to blind with pride or conceit, to render foolish or stupid, beclouded, besotted 212 alazoneia-1) empty, braggart talk 2) an insolent and empty assurance, which trusts in its own power and resources and shamefully despises and violates divine laws and human rights 3) an impious and empty presumption which trusts in the stability of earthy things. (from Thayer’s )
Mark 7:20-23, And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. (KJV)
By your words you will be justified, or, by your words you will be condemned. One is either in agreement with God, or against Him. There is that fine line between confidence and pride. This line can be described quite simply as; am I doing it to please God, or to please self. Seldom though, does one think of this as pleasing one self. When operating in the flesh, we seldom think of it as being prideful. Rather, we think of it as getting our just due. Yet, the truth is, that if we were to get our just due, we would all be on our way to hell.
Where is it that your thoughts have you at? (As a man thinketh in his heart, so will he be). Do your thoughts have you seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus? Most, often fail to see Jesus Christ for the servant that He was while here on this earth. Most only look at the miracles, the signs and wonders, and the other great accomplishments that followed His life. (Few comprehend, that the signs and wonders, follow His Word, Mark 16:15-20). Yet, if one will take the time, and put forth the effort to see and hear all that is recorded in the Biblical accounts, they will be able to see and comprehend clearly the servant that He truly was. (Matt 20:28, Luke 22:26-27, Mark 10:45, John 13:14-15, Heb 5:8-9).
How many of you are ready to be a servant? How many of are willing to be a servant? To be a servant, one must place everyone else’s problems, needs, and desires before their own. Yet, isn’t it true, that most often we are more concerned about what we have or want? Aren’t we more concerned about our own agenda, rather then the problems anyone else is having?
Paul said that he would gladly spend and be spent for the people: that the more abundantly that he loved them in the presenting of the truth of God’s Word, the less he was loved or appreciated! Everything that Paul possessed, he poured into the ministry of Jesus Christ. All of his being, all of his possessions, he gave over to the work and service of the gospel message of Jesus Christ. (Phil 3:7-10). Nothing did Paul withhold; even his life he gave for this message of love and hope, that one more might receive the insights essential in maintaining a proper relationship with God.
For those of you that are parents; think about all that you do, or have done for your children. Yet, in all that you do or have done for your children, for all that you have provided for them, are they content? Have you taught them to be content with that which Father has provided? What kind of values or standards have you set? Do they take for granted the basic necessities of life? Do they appreciate that which they do have?
In most instances, the parents try to give their children all of the worldly things that they never had. They think this will replace the true love which they never received from their parents. By doing this, they are giving them the things that will move them further away from God and His principles of and for life. They give them every opportunity to grow in the knowledge and wisdom of this world, which in most instances, is in direct opposition to God. (1Cor 1:18-22, Rom 1:22, Pro 25:14, Pro 26:12, Isa 47:10-11, Jer 8:8-9). The parents give the children every worldly and fleshly passion that they are able to obtain or available to them, and then wonder why their children will not serve God. The more that they give the children, the more they are learning to expect and demand; and all so that they can fulfill and gratify their fleshly appetites which the parents have taught them to have, as well as maintain. Yet, then they will wonder why their children do not want a relationship with God.
God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, to bring about restoration and fellowship with man and Him. Yet, in spite of this great gift, how many truly appreciate and treasure this great gift? How many are there that truly value this pearl of great price, greater then their treasures of this world? What exactly are the values that you have taught your children? What kind of example have you set for those around you?
In spite of all that God has done for mankind, few are content with the gift that he has made available to us. (Eph 2:8-9, Eph 4:7, John 4:10, Acts 8:20, Rom 5:17, Rom 6:23). Few have an understanding of what this gift contains. Most people think that they should be standing on the street corners in their new outfits and look and act piously, so they will obtain the admiration of the people. They want the biggest house, the most expensive vehicles, the fanciest clothing, the most ornate buildings, so that they can show and tell people how much they think God has blessed them.
How confident are you of the work that God has begun within you? Do you even understand, or for that matter, want to understand the work that He has begun in you? (That is if you have asked Jesus Christ into your life, to be Lord of your life). Think back if you will, to last weeks newsletter; and how we shared about the fact that God is a Spirit, and they that worship or fellowship with Him, must do so in Spirit (Rom 8:9) and in truth (John 17:17).
Paul clearly tells us (that is for those that have accepted God’s terms and conditions for salvation) that you have been blessed with ALL spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. That you are complete in Him. John also records that you have an unction of the Holy One, and that you know all things. So then, why are you at times so discontent? Why at times, are you so dissatisfied with your life?
I Jn 2:15-17, Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (KJV)
(from Adam Clarke Commentary) [Love
not the world] Though these several classes were so well acquainted with
divine things, and had all tasted the powers of the world to come; yet
so apt are men to be drawn aside by sensible things, that the Holy Spirit
saw it necessary to caution these against the love of the world, the inordinate
desire of earthly things. Covetousness is the predominant vice of old age:
Ye fathers, love not the world. The things which are in the world, its
profits, pleasures, and honours, have the strongest allurements for youth;
therefore, ye young men, little children, and babes, love not the things
of this world. Let those hearts abide faithful to God who have taken him
for their portion.
[The love of the Father is not in
him.] The love of God and the love of earthly things are incompatible.
If you give place to the love of the world, the love of God cannot dwell
in you; and if you have not his love, you can have no peace, no holiness,
no heaven.
For all that is in the world, the lust
of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of
the Father, but is of the world.
[For all that is in the world] All
that it can boast of, all that it can promise, is only sensual, transient
gratification, and even this promise it cannot fulfil; so that its warmest
votaries can complain loudest of their disappointment.
[The lust of the flesh] Sensual
and impure desires which seek their gratification in women, strong drink,
delicious viands, and the like.
[Lust of the eyes] Inordinate desires
after finery of every kind, gaudy dress, splendid houses, superb furniture,
expensive equipage, trappings, and decorations of all sorts.
[Pride of life] Hunting after honours,
titles, and pedigrees; boasting of ancestry, family connections, great
offices, honourable acquaintance, and the like.
[Is not of the Father] Nothing of
these inordinate attachments either comes from or leads to God. They are
of this world; here they begin, flourish, and end. They deprave the mind,
divert it from divine pursuits, and render it utterly incapable of spiritual
enjoyments.
And the world passeth away, and the lust
thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
[The world passeth away] All these
things are continually fading and perishing; and the very state in which
they are possessed is changing perpetually; and the earth and its works
will be shortly burnt up.
[And the lust thereof] The men of
this world, their vain pursuits, and delusive pleasures, as passing away
in their successive generations, and their very memory perishes; but he
that doeth the will of God-- that seeks the pleasure, profit, and honour
that comes from above, shall abide forever, always happy through time and
eternity, because God, the unchangeable source of felicity, is his portion.
(from Adam Clarke Commentary)
Are you operating in pride or confidence this day?
That you may know Him,
In the service of Jesus Christ.
Larry Gazelka
www.builtanewministries.org
Copyright ©2000 Built Anew Ministries