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Avoid Spiritual Pride
O you who love Jesus Christ, avoid spiritual pride in all its entirety for this does not please the Lord your God. And what is this spiritual pride; it when you look at all your good works and try to claim the credit for yourself and instead of giving the credit only to the Lord God who made it possible for you to great things in his Holy Name.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)
O believer in Christ Jesus, remember that whatever good works you do, its only for the glory of the Living God who prepared all this beforehand. So when you do works of mercy and goodness and generosity you bear testimony to Grace of God. Do not get carried away by the praises of the people whom you help nor the praises of those who see you helping others, thinking in your heart that it was all you all along. Humble yourself greatly and say in such case that its the Lord your God who has blessed you with the ability to all this and so let all praise go to God alone.
Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day (Deuteronomy 8:17-18)
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful. (1 Corinthians 13:1-4)
Keep in mind O you who love Jesus Christ, no matter how much you advance in the gifts of the Holy Spirit or even in the way of good works, never do it out of selfish motives but do it for the love of God. Take to heart that; what started with the love of God must continue to with the love of God and anything else which deviates from the love of God is sin which is not pleasing to the Lord God. Hence, keep away from spiritual pride and dwell in the presence of the Lord!
Verses to reflect upon:
- Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. (Proverbs 16:18)
- Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:12)
- Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded…Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. (James 4:5-8,10)
Always remember the Lord God when you get wealth
Some people give credit only to themselves when they become wealthy or rich. They even disown their mentors and even their parents and friends who may have helped them on their way up. But the worst thing they ever do is to forget the Lord God who gave them the power to get wealth. These are the ones who will claim they did it all and speak rudely to others who are poor or let me just say less wealthier than them.
No matter how much hard work one has put in becoming rich, it does not give anyone any right to disown the Lord God because of that. Nor it is good behavior to insult all those people God sent in your life to help you become the great person you became. Such behavior in not consistent with Christian living and must be avoided at each and every stage of life. Because whosoever had pride in his or her wealth, such a person sets himself or herself before the same Lord who gives them wealth.
Verses for reflection:
- Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. (Proverbs 16:18)
- But you shall remember the LORD your God: for it is he that gives you power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swore unto your fathers, as it is this day. (Deuteronomy 8:18)
- The LORD makes poor, and makes rich: he brings low, and lifts up. (1 Samuel 2:7)
- And Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what shall we do about the hundred talents that I have given to the army of Israel?” The man of God answered, “The LORD is able to give you much more than this.” (2 Chronicles 25:9)
- The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. (Proverbs 10:22)
The rich of this present world should not be arrogant nor too hopeful of their wealth
The Bible is very clear about one’s attitude when one’s a rich person. Whether you inherited your wealth or got by your hard work and intellect there are no exceptions. Please refer to the below verses to understand what the Bible speaks about this:
- Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them. (Psalm 62:10)
- Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. (Proverbs 11:28)
- Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings,
flying like an eagle toward heaven. (Proverbs 23:4-5) - As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. (1 Timothy 6:17)
Let me make it clear, there is nothing wrong with being rich. However becoming rich by means of corrupt activities is a sin. Never rob nor extort anyone to increase your wealth, for you will need to answer for all such actions on Judgement Day. By the way some people do get a preview of Judgement Day when they land up in prison for financial crimes. I hope they repent and do not do it again, lest they get a higher punishment both on Earth and in the afterlife.
Some people put too much importance of acquiring money. Money can get you a quiet house but cannot buy you a peaceful home. They think their children will understand if they ignore them in the pursuit of money. They think their spouse and relations will not bother if they too are ignored as they neglect them to gain wealth. And then when the spouse files for divorce, they start running after the preachers. Not so much because they love their spouse but rather to avoid the divorce solely to avoid paying alimony or a costly separation deal. They start seeking counselors against their children and relatives who they feel are after getting their share of money. Yes, such people do exist!
Perhaps friends and family will ignore such clamoring for wealth by their money hungry man or woman. However there are many ways by which people do lose wealth. An earthquake, a forest fire or a war can destroy property and resources at a very fast rate. At times even the insurance companies refuse pay out in cases using whatever legal loopholes they can. And imagine then how people get so upset to see their effort all go to waste when such things happens.
So use money but don’t let your money use you. Don’t let your money play tricks on your mind and soul that you become haughty towards your servants, colleagues, friends and family and earn their curses in return for your vile words and deeds towards them. It is therefore foolish, to make fun of those who are poor and even those who are little less rich than yourself. Because if you lose your wealth, you can fall to their level or even below. Where is the honour in loving money, then? Not one bit!
It’s better that you put your hope in God who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. You don’t have to pay for the spring nor the rains and yet God sends them freely for you to enjoy. He even gives you free air while industries are happy to charge you for anything they can put trademarks on!
Moreover, God gives you his salvation through Jesus Christ without any charge. This salvation is priceless indeed. You don’t have to earn nor can you actually earn it. Therefore, be humble and grateful to God.
In prosperity, give thanks to God with humility and fear lest by pride you abuse God’s benefits and so offend him (King St. Louis of France)
Prayers leading to Christmas – 13
O Lord God who created the heavens and the earth, grant that I do more and more good deeds to glorify you. Cause me to speak of Jesus Christ the Saviour, to those in need of healing and counsel. By your Holy Spirit, lead me to works of charity and mercy, so that the poor and the oppressed get relief from their woes. I give up each and every thing that causes me to be selfish, so that I be more generous towards the noble cause of the preaching of the Gospel, to the ends of the earth. Make me more creative in helping others. Take away from me all shyness and fear of doing good works in the world, so that all who see me give glory to you O Lord my Father in heaven. Above all keep sanctifying me and help me to be free from all deception and pride, so that I be a good example to friends and family and all who interact with me. I ask this in your Holy Name. Amen.
Stay away from pride
Stay away from pride,
And in God confide.
Stay away from pride,
Lest mercy from you hide.
Stay away from pride,
And in God’s word abide.
Stay away from pride,
Lest it cause you to backslide.
Stay away from pride,
And in God’s way stride.
Stay away from pride,
Lest your faith gets dried.
Stay away from pride,
And in God’s will, be justified.
Stay away from pride,
Lest your life be unqualified.
Admire not your looks
Admire not yourself too much,
Nor be too proud as such,
Acknowledge your beauty if you must,
But be always humble, true and just.
Know that Lucifer’s pride in his beauty did swell,
So much that he against God did rebel.
This angel’s sin wasn’t small,
From his heavenly place he did fall.
In being humble always do well,
Focus on heaven and not towards hell.
Use not your beauty to cause others to lust,
For sin causes tempters to return to dust.
By your looks don’t think yourself great,
Lest your due reward be an evil fate.
Be like the Holy Angels who have strength and beauty,
Yet they worship God and do their duty.
Do not let riches entice you
Do not ever let riches entice you,
Lest God in heaven go on to despise you.
Do not let money and gold be your shield,
Lest you perish like the grass of the field.
Do not love unrighteous wealth,
Lest it hamper your spiritual health.
Do not desire sweet water stolen,
Lest it cause pride all swollen.
Do not work for mammon in conceit,
Lest you start living in deceit.
Do not strive for vain glory,
Lest you start off to a bad story.
Do not stride in pride
Never ever indulge the flesh. Especially do not give place to the sin of pride. There are people who are deceived who say that pride is natural. It is not! Because when Lucifer the archangel indulged in pride about himself only then did he have designs to exalt himself to high places and even become like the Most High God. And that what happened next changed the course of this apostate angel; he was cast out of heaven along with his rebellious angels by the holy and mighty angels of the Lord God. This Lucifer is now called Satan the vile deceiver and accuser of the brethren. Remember that Satan the insolent one will receive his long due punishment at the Final Judgement by none other than Jesus Christ the humble and eternal Judge who already defeated him on the cross. So whenever you are tempted with pride remember to be humble like Jesus than rebellious like Satan.
Verses to reflect upon:
- Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:12)
- Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded…Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. (James 4:5-8,10)
Quick reminder: Concentrate on being faithful to the Lord and not on your titles
“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ (Matthew 25:20-23)
“Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” (Luke 17:7-10)
Disciples of hope 