One of the things I enjoy doing is assisting people with their pride level, but I have rarely ever come across anyone who has appreciated that help, in fact, most rarely speak to me at length ever again. The man who runs the small business, the supervisor of a small part of a large corporation, the person who has achieved a position of notoriety in a community so small it doesn’t even show up on national maps, almost all of these have the same thing in common, they are filled with pride. At best this attitude serves only themselves, yet they will do all they can to enforce this “attitude of greatest” upon all that are expected to be subordinate to them, and will relish every moment of it.
Many of these individuals are quite easy to assist, although they do not as I mentioned appreciate it, if they live in the United States, I will ask them how many people in Sydney, Australia or another large city somewhere on the planet know of their great talents, some have made a career out of doing all they can to remain the biggest fish in the smallest pond.
Pride is perhaps the greatest sin against the Most High, for it leaves no room for thanksgivings, it desires all eyes to be upon the bearer of it, it must be fed constantly. Just as easy, sometimes more so, are those who are reaching what is called the retirement years, reminding them that in a short time they will no longer be needed by the society that they have diligently served for so long not only brings anger to their faces, but a complete denial and dread of that day. To finally be brought to the realization that one day they will no longer be necessary comes as quite a blow to them.
Another would be this statement, “Somewhere out of the eight billion or so people on this planet, there is someone who can do your job just as well if not better than you.” That one has never been met with a positive response.
Let’s just say that when I am assisting these individuals with this burden of pride, it is not seen by them as such, it is not how one would go about winning friends and influencing people. “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Prov. 16:8)
It is one of the great new commandments of the so-called church today, to not bring this subject up, and it is never or rarely seen as helpful, but most always as offensive, and would be so if the truths of the Word of God were not part of all these words I have spoken over the years. When these individuals are informed of the previous verse, they harden their hearts, if it is a brother in Christ that has fallen into this malady, they will not see your words as Solomon says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” (Prov. 27:6) “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Prov. 1:7)
One would think that one of the greatest assistance we can give to anyone would be to try and help them out of the terrible pit of pride, but usually that is not the case, I can guarantee you that “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me,” (Gal. 2:20) is not one of these individuals favorite verses either.
A very long time ago, before my adoring wife came to Christ, I tried to assist her in this wisdom, needless to say, it did not go over well, for when the lost are informed that all they hold dear is of absolutely no value to themselves, much less to God, let’s just say they tend to take offense. I give glory to God in the Highest for the Proverbs 31 woman who shares my life with me today. (And yes, it is the same woman, in a sense!)
Sometimes love does not come across as love, if you follow this course I can absolutely guarantee you several things, one, all you speak to on this subject that will not listen, you will not be having many conversations with again, you have told them the truth about themselves, and they will hate you for it. Sooner or later, word will get around, and the world will hate you. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) But occasionally, as with the woman I will be sharing eternity with, some will hear the truth, they will begin to ponder it, and perhaps that will lead them to the cross, and that is after all what we are supposed to be doing.
