13 Jun 2009
Proverbs 21:4 (AMP)
4 Haughtiness of eyes and a proud heart, even the tillage of the wicked or the lamp [of joy] to them [whatever it may be], are sin [in the eyes of God].
We have come to a place in or culture today that for the most part we no longer see or regard pride as sin. This is not true of our Lord. If we are to honor Him and serve Him and worship Him in spirit and in truth we must call pride sin.
It has been said that pride is not only sin it is the mother of all sin.
Proverbs 8:13 (AMP)
13 The reverent fear and worshipful awe of the Lord [includes] the hatred of evil; pride, arrogance, the evil way, and perverted and twisted speech I hate.
Henry and Richard Blackaby and Claud King in their book " Fresh Encounter" have encouraged us to dedicate ourselves to pushing pride out of our lives.
Humility is one of the most powerful means of strengthing leadership. Moses who was one of the most used men of God in history was noted for his humility. Desperately seeking humility is needed in our day. Confessing pride and repenting of our pride is critical for the fullness of the work of the Holy Spirit in our churches.
Pastors can not lead their churches into the humble seeking of the Lord if they are not committed to driving out pride from their own lives and ministries.
Titus 1:7 (AMP)
7 For the bishop (an overseer) as God's steward must be blameless, not self-willed or arrogant or presumptuous; he must not be quick-tempered or given to drink or pugnacious (brawling, violent); he must not be grasping and greedy for filthy lucre (financial gain);
1 Peter 5:1-7 (NASB)
1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,
2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,
7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
Pastors .... recognize pride as sin. Respond to the leading of the Spirit and call upon His power to remove pride from your life.
After some victory ....... preach the truth regarding pride to your flock.
Jeff Williams
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