I have been studying with my sister...she is a newer believer and I have been attempting to help her on her pride. It is a big downfall for her. She has a lot of good arguments and questiond but I can't put into words how to explain the difference between pride which God is against, and being proud for doing God's work?? I know he doesn't want you to have a low self esteem. I just can't seem to explain it right.
2007-05-10 19:02:19 · 25 answers · asked by Chrys 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
First of all congratulations on your time with your sister and your guy's pursuit of God. This is by far the biggest step, far more than knowing all the answers.
There are many versus about God casting down the prideful especially in psalms and Proverbs (ie Proverbs 6:17, 27:2). Jesus also gives the example in Luke 18:14 when he instructs, "Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."
You and your sister are right, God wants to see us doing good. As John Piper puts it "God is most glorified when we are fully content in him". In other words God loves us as his children and wants to see us happy. After all he gave his only Son for us. If we weren't to be happy why would he do such a thing?
One verse that really helps me is Galatians 6:14 "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." This is also a hard concept to understand but what Paul is saying is that your new identity is in Christ. He has paid the ultimate price and victory is ours so yes be joyful, be successful, and if you must boast, boast in Christ. In this way it will promote The Kingdom, and your reward in Heaven will be great.
God is on our side, we have much to be happy for. Hope this helps. If you have any other questions feel free to email me mate2017@hotmail.com . Also check out www.crosswalk.com and www.onespace.com . Make sure you are connected with a good church as well.
God Bless,
da fish
2007-05-10 19:15:53 · answer #1 · answered by swordfishla 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Let's question this and reason with it, what was Satan's downfall we know it was pride, he said I will be like the most high.
Pride on the danger zone can be known if you know how to look for it boasting of oneself is pride I can do this I can do that, or I am so beatiful, why should I hang around her if she's so ugly, I make my own rules, I am better then you, etc........ these are words that come out of a heart that is full of pride which we call negativity...so when you try to teach your sister explain to her have you said any of these things or behave on the level of these words and fill in the blanks show her in the bible how she should conduct herself what is a true follower of the messaiah or would the messiah behave in that sort of way or speak in that sort of words? No? I thought so. Have a nice day.
2007-05-10 19:22:20 · answer #2 · answered by Free Cuba 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very interesting question. You are very right there are many different types of pride. There is stubborn pride that will usually prevent someone from admitting they are wrong even if they know they are. There is selfish pride (ego) that takes a lot of credit whether it is due them or not. There is healthy pride which one feels when they have done a job well. And of course the pride one feels when they are in the service of the Lord. That is a humble pride. When the Lord calls us to do His work it is humbling to realize that of all people He chose you. He chose you because He sees no other person as qualified for the job as you. When you do His work as His chosen one you don't take credit because you're doing what you're told. In the service of the Lord it is for Him so there is no selfish pride. However when you are called to work for Him one does feel a great sense of pride for that very reason that God says you're perfect for what I need done. Then when you do what He has asked and you do it well you feel the job well done pride. I hope this helps a little.
2007-05-10 19:17:50 · answer #3 · answered by kwazeeme 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christians are expected to be virtuous. There are usually two vices for every virtue; an over abundance or a lack there of. In this case let's call the virtue confidence, and the vices low self esteem and pride. Both vices blind you to reality and cut you off from self improvement and open spirituality.
You can feel proud of things you've accomplished. That is different than having pride as a character trait.
2007-05-10 19:29:10 · answer #4 · answered by Noota Oolah 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is my opinion only - okay?
To start I would not state it as a "downfall" but more along the lines of a stumbling block or obstacle. (nicer terms)
Pride and Proud - wow what an obstacle to overcome!
One could say that self pride is doing that acts that you do in the hopes of receiving a reward. It does not come from the heart as a selfless giving which comes from the heart.
Be proud of who you are. No need to boast or brag about your works - you do what you do because that is who you are and you do what you choose to do because it is the morally right thing to do.
One is from the heart and the other from the mind.
Work to enrich your life in Spirit and the rest will follow in time.
Do not push or you may push her completely away.
Peace & Love,
Sam
2007-05-10 19:48:42 · answer #5 · answered by Sam 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The main thing you have to recognize is that sinful pride always involves some kind of untruth. In other words, it is not prideful to be happy about winning an award that you worked hard for, because the truth is that you did the work and you earned it. However the kind of pride you need to avoid is the untruth of thinking you are better or more powerful than you really are. This was the sin of Lucifer when he refused to worship Christ - his pride was so great that he wanted everyone, even Christ, to worship him. Be careful not to head down the same path.
2007-05-10 19:14:50 · answer #6 · answered by morkie 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Self esteem is a psychological concept. Psychology is the study of human behavior which is based on the belief that human beings are animals. It is well to use terms other than those used in psychology when talking about pride, which we have no need of. We are wretched worms simply put. God does use us but it is him doing the work, not us. It's a lesson that is good to learn sooner than later that we need to become invisible to ourselves and to see only God.
2007-05-10 19:23:58 · answer #7 · answered by hisgloryisgreat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you have a Strong's Concordance? You can download Online Bible for free... just google it.
The word "Pride" in the Bible is NEVER connected with ANYTHING good. I understand what you mean about being proud for doing God's work..., but we have changed the definition of being "proud". Instead of trying to explain to her to be proud of what she is doing for the Lord, try teaching her that it is best to be humble in All. Jas 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
You would enjoy studying Proverbs together and putting side by side each the difference between being proud and being humble.
God bless!
2007-05-10 19:11:05 · answer #8 · answered by mawderuiz 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
What is the middle letter of pride? Yup, "I" meaning me, myself and I. Pride is the feeling that you accomplished something on your own, by yourself, without God's grace or plan or help. It's a sin, to be sure, and you're basically telling God that you don't need Him in your life because you can do it on your own.
Now, sitting back and enjoying something that God has worked THROUGH you, that is what some people call pride but I prefer to say a deep sense of appreciation and accomplishment of what God has worked.
Hope this makes sense and helps you out, God bless!
2007-05-10 19:07:06 · answer #9 · answered by Last Ent Wife (RCIA) 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
Try 1st Corinthians 10: 31-33 and Proverbs 16: 18 & 19.
2007-05-10 19:15:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋