"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am
only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I
possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is
not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in
evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes,
always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass
away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection
comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked
like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a
man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a
mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I
shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But
the greatest of these is love." - (1 Corinthians 13 NIV)
Happy Fantastic Friday!!!
Love is not proud.
Pride is something else ...
Before I elaborate on this topic, let's refresh
our memories what the term proud means. Proud -
1. feeling pleasure or
satisfaction over something regarded as highly honorable or creditable to
oneself. 2. having,
proceeding from, or showing a high opinion of one's own dignity, importance, or
superiority.
Okay ... now I'm ready to discuss this subject as
God's Holy Spirit is leading me to say to His People who are hungry and
listening for His Truths. Like I mentioned in the last post, there is nothing
wrong with being proud of the accomplishments we achieve, because it reflects
our diligence and hard work which pays off to our benefit. And God desires for
us to do everything in the glory of Him. (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Just to be clear, this isn't referring to doing
foolish things which is considered as sin in God's eyes. Whatever gifts God
gave you, do it for His Glory. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him.
(James 1:17). And even with dark situations we see on TV or read in e-books or
books, there are still revelations to learn, even if it is made for pure
entertainment. It's not what enter a person, which defiles him or her, but what
comes out of his or her heart, which defiles him or her. (Matthew 15:11).
In today's world, our actions betray us for who
we are on the surface. Nonetheless, God sees deeper on why we do what we do,
which directs us to make drastic decisions. I honestly don't believe people do
what they do for no reason. There is something that provokes or motivates us to
perform good or evil deeds.
Not trying to shift subjects, but I want to
clarify my earlier statement before we understand why being proud doesn't
glorify God or His Love. When 1 Corinthians 13 was referring to love is not proud,
it's aiming toward the second definition, which God has an issue about our
grotesque behavior when we allow worldly things to inflate our egos.
I will not deny that I have a pet peeve about
people who are cocky and self-absorbed. This kind of attitude displays
unpleasant results, which ruin relationships (no matter what kind) terribly.
This kind of pride, God abhors, destroys our
character and it clouds our judgment, and it deceives us to believe we
are right, when we're altogether wrong. I'm not trying to step on anyone's
toes, but if we're truly candid about this topic, we know this hits
home close to our hearts, because we all have been guilty of allowing
pride ruling our nature.
When converting as a true believer, the Lord will
make certain we don't stay same once we know who He truly is. There are stages in
conversion. No one becomes Christ-like overnight. Anyone who says otherwise,
the truth isn't in them. We won't truly be completed in Christ until we leave
Earth. And that's when our mission is complete, and we have finally finish
running this race with patience.
Pride stands in the way of God's truth.
Pride damages existing or blossoming relationships.
Pride deludes us to believe we're superior over
others and it's all right to hurt others in the process while we seize after
what life is offering to us.
Pride sabotages our souls daily, when we're not
walking in the light while we're doing wrong.
Pride never listens to what the other party is
saying and it never considers the other's point-of-view.
Pride is always right and refuses to apologize
when in error.
Pride pulls us away from God, even though He is
always present in our midst.
Pride relies on self instead of God.
Pride discourages others who are trying to find
their way in life, while it boasts exceedingly what it can do versus what they
can't do.
Pride persuades us to believe that others
shouldn't be our family and friends because they view the world differently
than we do, so we act like we don't know them or refuse to listen to them.
Pride is prejudiced to everything that doesn't
fit into what it believes isn't "right" in its own world.
And who gets hurt when pride consumes one's soul?
You do. I do. She does. He does. They do. We do.
In God's sight, we're all equal.
(Galatians 3:28).
The enemy utilizes pride so effectively in us,
where we can't see the ultimate damage until his scheme comes into full circle
of what he is doing to us.
This is why I'm so glad that God helps uncover
the truth while we're gradually walking out of darkness one-step-at-a-time. I'm
also glad to know that He can deliver us out of this horrid sin, which truly
wants to keep us bound and causes contention with our brothers and sisters. But
how do we not get devoured by pride, I hear you asking me The answer is
simple: humbling ourselves to God in prayer.
Our wild culture deludes us to believe that
refusing to apologize somehow makes us stronger and wiser, when it screams the
exact opposite with God. Pride is a selfish attitude, which is learned from
watching others who fell into this horrible trap.
One thing I love about prayer, it breaks all
barriers, which our natural eyes can't see. Prayer always open the door between
God and us. Prayer always releases burdens we won't normally carry to our
family and friends. Prayer is the ultimate healing which can set us free from
having impure thoughts. Prayer is a sweet confession, which God and you only
know about. Prayer connects with humility when we're releasing our troubles to
our Heavenly Father.
When loved ones stop speaking to you, God is
there.
When enemies are raging out of control, God will
deliver you out of their clutches.
When you suffered from losing everything, God
knows how to make the wrong right by birthing something new in you.
When you come into realization of what you have
done to others or what others have done to you, God redeems you, them, and the
relationship.
But when the relationship seems beyond repair,
God can and will set you free, and bless you with new friends after His own
heart. Not every relationship will last, especially when it's not in
His will for your life, in the first place. And this has nothing to do with
pride, sometimes, we must know and learn when to let go concerning our best
interest at heart.
Pride hinders. Humility sets free.
Prayer: Father, I humble
myself before you because I want to be delivered from having wrongful pride
today. I admit that I didn't handle the situation appropriately, but I'm asking
You to intervene on my behalf and set me free from arrogant and wayward
thinking. Bless me to recognize when I fall short of possessing pride in my
heart. Show me Your ways which glorifies you and deliver me from this struggle.
I'm sorry for allowing self get in the way of what You are doing in my life.
Show me how to make any relationship right, which I messed up in. And deliver
people I know and love from any pride they're struggling with, too. Show them where
they are making errors in hurting others. Bless them to be free of pride as well. In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
If you believe in this prayer, may God comfort
you and provide you the healing you need right now. Trade pride for humility,
today. Walk in victory. Whom the Son set free, truly we are free, indeed. (John
8:36). Until next time, be blessed.
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