Self-Exaltation

It was a classic illustration of the proverb, "Pride comes before a fall." A cocky running back for a powerhouse high school football team was all set to show off his skills at the homecoming game. A scout for college football was on the sidelines with his clipboard. The runner had visions of playing for University of Texas, going pro, and buying a new house for his mom. But when the game began, things didn't go as he had expected.

He dropped passes, got nowhere when handed the ball and was yanked from the field by the coach after he fumbled a ball which resulted in their opponents touchdown.

This scene I just described was in a T.V. show. Yet how the problem of pride is played out in real life each day.

This morning I read another sobering passage in Ezekiel, where the Lord warns Egypt of its pride, and how it would end up like the nation of Assyria:

"Let no other nation proudly exult in its own prosperity, though it be higher than the clouds, for all are doomed. They will land in the pit along with all the proud people of the world."

What is it that causes us pride? A few things came to my mind -- our looks, having a lot of money, our intellect. They can all lead any one of us to start thinking we're something special -- and we can subtly feel like we don't need God. Perhaps that's why C.S. Lewis called pride "the great sin." It keeps us from relying on the Lord -- who gives us everything we have.

Lewis writes: "The essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, anger, greed drunkenness, and all that , are mere fleabites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind."

And here is the real kicker: "As long as you are proud you cannot know God." (Mer Christianity, pp. 95, 96)

How can we keep pride from entering our heart? A few ideas come to my mind:

1. Realize that everything we have is from the hand of God -- and it is temporary and on loan.

2. Recognize that any gift or blessing we have is to be used for God's glory, not ours.

3. Continue to dwell on the Lord Jesus and His amazing humility -- coming to this earth, dying on that cross and now exalted in His glory. Keep meditating on verses such as Phil 2 and worshipping the King of Kings.

4. And as Lewis counsels his readers in how to acquire humility, realize that we are proud. And I would add, to repent of pride on a regular basis.

I may not be a star running back, but I have my own share of pride issues. And I don't want any self-exaltation get between me and the Living God.

Jim