I am convinced that the number one reason we are in this mess today, and I mean all messes, ranging from political upheaval, to wars, to abortions, sickness and death, is due to pride.

***PLEASE DO NOT STOP READING NOW…KEEP GOING…THIS IS TOO IMPORTANT.***

It is because of pride that we are born in this state of sinfulness! Adam and Eve chose to make their own decision and eat that fruit, apart from what the Lord had instructed. They put their own desire above God’s. That is selfish pride.

“In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek Him; and all his thoughts are, There is no God.”
Psalm 10:4

The dictionary describes “pride” as: a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction from one’s own achievements, … or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired. Conceit, egotism, vanity. The opposite of humility.

I can tell you, I am not exempt from this problem! How can someone with such a low self esteem be so prideful? And yet, I struggle with this daily. It regularly creeps back in like kudzu! I don’t want my husband to correct me. I don’t want him to tell me his way is better. I don’t want him to question my reasoning. I don’t want my children to think they are smarter than me (they’re not!… yet). So my reactions and responses to these times is not always the way a humble, submissive wife should respond. It is not always the way a godly mother needs to represent the best kind of love.

“For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.”
Titus 1:7-8

It is our pride that makes us short-tempered and impatient. We see things the way we want to see them. We want others to do things our way, and get it done quickly, because our time is valuable. Because we think it is the best way. Surely we are knowledgeable about how things need to be done, and when, therefore it’s our job to show others the proper way, right? And shouldn’t they do them in the timely manner we would do them? Not really. Even if we were right, to get angry with someone else because of our own selfish desire is wrong. It is not loving them the way Jesus would. It is not seeing them through the eyes of Jesus.

There are many signs and characteristics of being prideful:
Do you dominate the conversation?
Are you a perfectionist?
Are you defensive? (Oh boy, that one hurt).
Are you judgmental?
Are you a jealous person?
When you do talk with someone, are you always trying to think of what you want to say rather than listening intently?

If we live with pride in our life, it will deafen the ears of those we are trying to teach or witness to. They will not listen because they will see this ugly head of pride rising up, and they will recognize the hypocrisy. They will want nothing to do with the church, the Bible, or Jesus.

“The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance are the way of evil, and perverted speech I hate.”
Proverbs 8:13

Time to let the Gardener do His work and rid us of that kudzu! God has the greatest weed killer ever that will knock out that pride problem – it is the blood of Jesus. Remember that we did nothing to deserve God’s love, His favor or His redemption. As long as we focus on the gift, then being humble will be much easier!

Food for thought: “A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.” C.S. Lewis

Fun facts: Kudzu grows one foot per day. One root produces up to 30 vines that can each reach 60 feet per season!

Photo by: Ksenia Makagonova – Ivy covered Window