EVIDENCES OF PRIDE

EVIDENCES OF PRIDE

(Monday, January 18, 2010)

1Peter GW 3:8 Finally, everyone must live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble.

  As stated earlier, 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 evidences to see are personally.

  Here is a checklist I compiled to assist in the revelation in the recognizing 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 not wanting 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