when pride cometh

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. I John 2:16

Perhaps this is my year of discovery, but I'm finding that many of the "simple" truths that I have known since childhood are now becoming real to me, and my eyes are being opened to the truth of what my heart is capable of, both good and not-so-good. I looked up "pride" this afternoon in my concordance, just because I needed to, and here are just a few things I found to chew on...

The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. Psalm 10:4

Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. Psalm 31:19-20

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Proverbs 8:13

When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. Proverbs 13:10

A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. Proverbs 29:23

Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken. Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness. But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive. Jeremiah 13:15-17

Funny how the Lord teaches me in perfect sequence. I posted not long ago about loving others - really getting our hearts around that and doing it. And then He shows me how much I am a lover of self, and how I strive to put myself in a high position. That last passage in Jeremiah talks about being carried away captive, and I think a lot of the time the captivity is not from an outside source, but one that comes from within...a captivity to self.

In the name of defending myself, I justify a lot of my own pride...I feel justified in "not being a doormat" - at work, at home, at church, wherever. Womens' lib has definitely made its way into my psyche, and sometimes it becomes a religion of sorts. But the Lord shows us a way that is contrary to that, a more excellent way...He tells us that our pride will bring us low, and that it will bring shame instead of honour. I can call it "assertiveness" or "being proactive" or "agressiveness", and perhaps in context those are not wrong attributes to have, but personally, those are crutch terms for me and I use them so that I can be "allowed" to take pride in myself. I'm an American girl, and I have RIGHTS! I can do or be whatever I want...I have the right not to be oppressed or held back...I have the right not to be opposed in any way...I am entitled to these rights! Oh, how wrong of me ever to act as though I deserve the priviledges I have been so freely given, and to assume that they won't be taken from me at some point in my life.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying that I should be a doormat for anyone, or that I should allow myself to be abused. But I can tell you that I am in no way, shape, or form being abused by anyone. Truth be told, I am blessed every minute of every day, not because I deserve it but because for whatever reason the Lord sees fit for me to be where I am.

So in my day-to-day dealings, I'm feeling the need to revamp my mindset...

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Philippians 2:3

Yep, esteem others BETTER than myself. Take second place, or third. Make myself of low esteem. Consider that as Christ died He didn't argue for the sake of His rights, He didn't bring up petty aspects of my character to point out how unworthy I am of Him, and even more amazing, He didn't climb down off that cross and walk away from those He knew would never really love Him the way He deserved to be loved. He stayed...He endured...Despite His rights.

...be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken!