Proud Heart – 12.11.07

Question for you. How do you get along with your brothers and sisters in Christ? How do you get along with your brothers and sisters at home? What about your parents? What about the people you go to school with or the people you work with? How do you treat people in general?

If there's always some type of problem or some type of situation, or if there is always tension in any one of these relationships, then the Bible suggests that you examine your heart for a satanic influence. You see, only by pride cometh contention (Proverbs 13:10). Webster's 1828 dictionary defines pride as "inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, accomplishments, rank or elevation in office, which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others." Proverbs 28:25 says that a proud heart manifests itself by stirring up strife.

We all know that pride is what got Satan kicked out of heaven (Isaiah 14:12-15). What we need to realize is that God did not put up with it then, and He'll no more allow it to go unpunished in our lives. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer (Psalm 101:5).

So don't think of yourself more highly than you ought to think (Romans 12:3). Esteem others better than yourself (Philippians 2:3). When you think about it, what do we really have to be proud of? All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). There is none righteous, no, not one (Romans 3:10). All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way (Isaiah 53:6). We're made of dust, and that's where this body is headed when all is said and done (Genesis 3:19).

So let's just praise God that He commended His love toward us and died for us sinners – even though we didn't and still don't deserve it. And let's humble ourselves enough to treat others the way we should. Are you at odds with a Christian friend? With a brother or sister? With an acquaintance? Heed the words of Proverbs 6:3, "Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend."

1 John 3:16 says, "Hereby perceive we the love of God for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." May the Lord would work that out in all of our hearts. Remember to pray for one another.