Before the Fall….

Every month, some ladies and I independently study a book from the bible and added to that, we also study an emotion or character or fruit of the spirit. The latest study we embarked on was on Pride.

There are so many facets to this topic called pride and I must say that one may not truly know if one is filled with pride or not unless one embarks on truly knowing the meaning and impact. For me, just studying its origin alone sent shivers down my spine.

A lot of us may never look inwards to check and see if we ourselves are subject to the spirit of Pride. For me, it was quite challenging to see myself anywhere near the definition of pride. I would say I am obedient, submissive, never look for trouble, helpful, caring and mind my own business, well, I was quite disappointed when I finished this study as it turned out I did have some evidence of pride in me.

Before the fall (a term I have used to characterize what goes on or happens way before pride causes us to fall to its prey) we engage in a lot of emotions, attitudes and behaviours that seems justifiable from our perspective. As we know by now, the first person accused of exhibiting this nature was Lucifer. The book of Isaiah 14 verse 12-15 explains how he (Lucifer) wished to be more than his superior. A lot of us have an attitude where we see ourselves better than the next person or where we never attribute our gifts or talents to a higher power but glorify ourselves.

Pride is one item on God’s hate list according to the book of Proverbs 6; 16-19, which says God, HATES a proud look! Pride exists in a person who finds it hard to accept corrections, easily irritated by others, criticizes or is critical of others, compare oneself and quick to judge others to name a few.

Anyone who is proud is an abomination to God; it’s the one thing that may impact to living an all round productive life in Christ. If we honestly evaluate ourselves we will see an element of pride lurking in the decisions we may have made or the situations we allow to linger on that isn’t God’s plan for us. Having feelings of being better than others or even better than ‘sinners’ is something we need to check.

As I ask myself why God used all those he used to change the world in their time and if it is because they lacked pride, I reflect on the likes of Esther, Ruth, Mary, Joseph, Daniel, Moses, Solomon, David, to name a few who experienced and were used by God in one form or the other and I noticed that if any of these people bore a proud look, I doubt if they would have been God’s chosen at their time.

Before the fall, a lot of things happen that take control of our flesh justifying our mental position to engage or behave in a manner appalling before the eyes of our creator and before we know it, we fall victims. The scary thing is that we may never know we are falling due to pride until the damage has been done.

Whatever it is, if its causing strife or sowing seeds of discord, living in unforgiveness, hardness of heart, defence mechanisms, wayward outlook, rejecting the things of God, choosing the way of the man rather the way of God, pleasing people for gains, stubbornness, rudeness, malicious gossip, lying, deception, or feeling of importance, please be aware that there is an element of pride in it all.

As I continue my walk with Christ, I have made myself aware of the many angles pride can set in and cause me to fall and have laid various escape routes from this devourer, what about YOU?