PRIDEFULNESS

EVIDENCES OF PRIDE

Sunday, November 24, 2019

  “Finally, everyone must live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble.” (GW 1Pet.3:8) 

  When it come to pride versus humility, there is no neutral ground.

  As with all characteristics favorably beneficial or otherwise detrimental, there are evidences, some very obvious, others not so; pride quite easily recognized in others; while comparatively the most difficult evidence to see is personally that pride is spelled “life is all about me”. (Note 1Cor.12 & 13, especially 13:11)

  Here is a checklist I compiled first of all for myself and to assist others in the recognition our pride:

1.     Passing judgment on, complaining against God. Num.14:1-11; Rom.9:20.

2.     A general lack of gratitude and thankfulness. 2Chron.32:25.

3.     Anger, ever-present “my rights”. Mt.20:1-16.

4.     Intolerant, easily disgusted. Lk.7:36-50.

5.     Inflated view of importance, intelligence, gifts, abilities, talents. 1Cor.4:7.

6.     Focusing on # 5. list of lacks. 1Cor.12:14-25.

7.     Driven in perfectionism and expecting it in others. Mt.23:24-28.

8.     Vociferous loose lips. Pr.10:19.

9.     Boastfulness. Pr.27:2; Gal.6:3.

10.  Difficulty in working or serving under authority; wanting to control. 1Cor.1:10-13; Eph.5:21.

11.  Disproportionately concerned or regulated by other’s opinions of you, resulting in man-pleasing instead of God-pleasing manner. Gal.1:10. (There’s also the contrary side of this pridefulness; not giving a hoot about manner and reputation.)

12.  Ravaged and riled by advice or criticism. Pr.13:1.

13.  Unteachable. Pr.19:20; Jn.9:13-14.

14.  Sarcastic and demeaning toward people. Pr.12:18, 23.

15.  No recognition = no service. Gal.5:13; Eph.2:10.

16.  Without concern for others. Mt.5:7; 18:23-35.

17.  Defensiveness and blame-shifting. Gen.3:12-13; Pr.12:1.

18.  Self-excusing or half-heartedly apologetic. Pr.10:17.

19.  Prayers centered in self, not others, not God. Lk.18:10-14.

20.  Disrespectful. 1Pet.2:13-17.

21.  Untimely or inconsiderate opining. Phil.2:1-4.

22.  Not asking forgiveness of God or man. Mt.5:23-24.

23.  Underrating sins and limitations. Mt.7:3-5.

24.  Maximizing others’ sins and limitations. Mt.7:3-5; Lk.18:9-14.

25.  Irritable and impatient with others or even self. Eph.4:31-32.

26.  Jealous and envious. 1Cor.13:4.

27.  Using others for self-interest or gain. Mt.7:12; Phil.2:3-4.

28.  Deceitful, secretive. Pr.11:3; 28:13.

29.  Fishing for compliments and attention. 1Pet.3:3-4.

30.  Abstaining from close relationships. Pr.18:1-2; Heb.10:24-25.

  Additionally: another mark of pride versus humility is refusal to examine self using a checklist such as this one. 

  After editing and setting aside the above to ponder a bit more, an afterthought: Hours after completing EVIDENCES OF PRIDE, the absolute incongruity of pride’s manners struck me. Living in and by pride we may all at the same time despise authority while being a man-pleaser while bragging of sinful exploits while deceitfully hiding or denying others while fishing for recognition while apologetic about accomplishment while ___________. O’ but how sinful we are!

EBB4