11You have clothed me with skin and flesh and have knit me together with bones and sinews. Job 10:11 (Amplified Bible)
Appearance
Under normal circumstances, we tend to take pride in our personal appearance. The way we look, the way we dress, the way we talk and the way we present ourselves in public is an important factor in our everyday life. Instead of us to look, dress, talk and appear in public in a graceful manner that will give glory to God, we often tend to overdo things and care more about what other people will say about our appearance. We inadvertently seek the approval and sanction of man instead of God's.
We sometimes forget that it is the Lord who formed our body and created it out of dust (Genesis 2:7). Beloved do you know that if there is any beauty you see in your body, it comes from God. Therefore credit and glory should be given to Him and only to Him alone.
4For the sake of Jacob My servant, and of Israel My chosen, I have called you by your name. I have surnamed you, though you have not known Me. Isaiah 45:4 (Amplified Bible)
Pride of Name
This type of pride is often associated with success and progress made in life. Sometimes we tend to glory in the name we bear as if it is not God who surnamed us. God created us in His image and entrusted us to different families. Unfortunately not all parent understand that this role is a gift and not one to be abused. God is a family orientated God, for He puts the lonely into a family. God first loved us and still loves us.
Accomplishment
Have you noticed how when you have successfully carried out a challenging task, completed a project, deed or recorded a feat that is astounding that you struggle with what to tell your friends about it. Well, the tendency is to give glory to ourselves. Every believer should be wary of this. When success is smiling your way we should focus on thanking God and give Him all the glory for without Him it is not going to be possible. Christ the Lord pointed this out clearly to us in John 15:15, when He said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Without Me you can do nothing.”
Race and Colour
17So that the rest of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom My name has been invoked. Acts 15:17-18 (Amplified Bible)
There is pride of race and colour which has resulted in certain people arrogating their race above others. It is God who created us all and gave everyone a special gene which determines the colour of our skin and the race we belong to. Do we have any strong reason or superior argument for doing this at all? God is a just and righteous God. He created all mankind of different races and colours equal, so that we will all worship and serve Him in our diversity.
It grieves His heart when we look down on others and treat them unfairly because of race or colour. This is because, He knows He created us all and makes no mistake in the race He placed us in or the colour He gives us.
Talents or Gifts
Matthew 25:14-15(Amplified Bible)
14For it is like a man who was about to take a long journey, and he called his servants together and entrusted them with his property.
15To one he gave five talents [probably about $5,000], to another two, to another one, to each in proportion to his own personal ability. Then he departed and left the country.
At times we get puffed up by our talents. Talents are special abilities given to you by God to excel in life. Each talent came as a gift from the Lord. He gave you this special ability for the good of yourself and others. He will call each and every one of us to give an account of how we make use of these talents.
Knowledge
Knowledge is power. If you have knowledge you have the key to do well in life but it should not make you proud. Rather we should be grateful to God for giving us the opportunity to train and acquire knowledge.
7For who do you know that really knows you, knows your heart? And even if they did, is there anything they would discover in you that you could take credit for? Isn't everything you have and everything you are sheer gifts from God? So what's the point of all this comparing and competing? 1 Corinthians 4:7 (The Message)
Riches
The bible talks about the deceitfulness of riches meaning, there is a pride that people struggle with when they have acquired riches and possessions. Yet it is God who chooses to bless. Just know that it is not by your power or your might that you have gotten what you have today. It is not by your hard working alone that you are where you are today. He chooses to favour you above your fellow not because He did not create the other person in His own image as you. He is sovereign. It is His prerogative to bless who He wants to bless. Why don’t you use your possessions and riches to be a blessing to others and help extend the frontiers of the kingdom of God? Empowering others. This is the will of God when He gives wealth.
I am going to stop here for now and ask you to do some introspection with the help of the Holy Spirit? Beloved prayerfully ask the Lord to show you if you are struggling with any of the issues mentioned. Repent and He is always ready to restore your life. God bless.
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