Spiritual Housecleaning: Pride

If we ever get to the point where we think we are free of pride, we're in BIG trouble! I'm serious. Have you ever met someone who goes on and on about his humility? "I'm such a humble person." No, you're not! You're proud of your humility!

The truth is there's a very fine line between thinking too much of ourselves and thinking too little of ourselves. (Both extents, by the way, are results of pride.) I'm sure we've all been there. We strive to do something for the Lord, but we're a little unsure of ourselves. We don't want to mess up and embarrass ourselves, nor do we want to mess up and hinder others from being blessed. So, we pray, we commit, and we perform our duty. One of two things happen. First, we mess up, and our pride is hurt. Two, we don't mess up, and we start to get a "big head." Neither of these is good! Pride occurs far too easily and is often mistaken for something else.

For these reasons, we need to perform our spiritual housecleaning daily. We need to examine our lives and find the pride hiding there. Then, we need to get rid of it and ask God to forgive us. Problem solved, right? Not quite. Does your house stay clean, or is housecleaning an ongoing process? (Groan, groan!) Just because we've gotten rid of the pride in our lives today doesn't mean it won't show up again tomorrow. That's why those daily cleanings are so important. Otherwise, we end up with a pride buildup that is nearly impossible to remove.

Pride is a nasty thing. It has destroyed many lives, marriages, and friendships. It led to Satan's fall from Heaven. It caused Eve to take of the forbidden fruit because she felt she deserved it. It lessens the effectiveness of our service to the Lord. Pride is an enemy. Don't let it go unnoticed.

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. - Proverbs 16:18