Pride ... Oh, So Ugly ... (Philippians 2:3-4)

Today’s scripture: Philippians 2:3-4

Pride. It’s something many of us struggle with, and it’s something that God abhors (see Prov. 8:13; 16:18; Mark 7:22). We look at “our” gifts and talents, or what “we’ve” achieved, and we think, “Good for me!” Even more, we sometimes look at what others do, and think, “I could do that better.”

We forget—often—that anything we have and anything we can do comes from God. So to be prideful about what we do is ironic. Instead, we’re called to be humble, to do all things with “lowliness of mind.” Not selfish. Not conceited. Rather, we should honor others.

Now this doesn’t mean we’re supposed to be doormats and let people walk all over us. We can look out for our “own interests.” We can—and should—do our best in all things. We should “do all in the name of the Lord” (Col. 3:17). But we also need to make certain we’re supporting our brothers and sisters.

Imagine your life if you could sincerely “esteem others better.” If you could genuinely celebrate the gifts and talents God has given everyone. If you trusted God to use each of us according to His will. If you truly believed none of us is better than another.

Imagine.

Pride ... (Galatians 6:3-5)

Today's scriptures: Galatians 6:3-5

Have you ever done something or said something that made you stop and think to yourself, “I’m pretty talented or smart or clever”? Your chest expands with pride. You stand just a little taller. You may even compare yourself to others and think, “I’m better than they are.”

That’s pride. When we think we can do something great, we’re being prideful. In fact, we are nothing without the gifts and talents God has blessed us with. We are nothing even when we think we’re something. And we’re deceiving ourselves.

Each of us has been given work to do by our Father, and we must focus on completing that work. At the beginning of each day (and I so often fail to do this), we should ask God to use us that day. We should strive do to His assigned work. Then at the end of each day, we can look over that day’s work and be content with what He’s done through us.

Not comparing ourselves to others. Not preening about what we have done.

Rather, delighting in the knowledge that we’ve followed His will, done His work, helped to build His kingdom.

We aren’t responsible for anyone else’s load. We are only to complete the tasks He’s given us, and complete them with joyful hearts.

And be thankful He’s chosen to use us at all.

Then we can boast in our heavenly Father and what He’s done through us—not what we think we’ve done on our own.

"Necessary" Boasting (2 Corinthians 12:1-6)

Today’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-6

Some debate who the “man in Christ” is that Paul writes about in these verses. Was it Paul himself? Or someone who told his story to Paul? For me, this isn’t one of those “stake in the sand” issues. What matters is what Paul is saying: Boasting isn’t profitable.

When we boast about something we do, two issues arise:

First, nothing we can do is of our own merit (we’ve talked about this before) because everything we have, everything we are, everything we can do comes from God.

Second, if we do boast about ourselves, we run the risk of being foolish. We say we can do something, and then we mess up. Seriously. None of us is perfect, and even the very best of us fails sometimes. For example, I’ve heard some really wonderful vocalists miss a note. Or an amazing actor flub a line.

But when we boast in what God does in and through us, He will use us to glorify Himself. I know when I focus on Him and just let Him work, He allows me to do far more than I can do on my own. He speaks through me in unexpected ways. He helps me to write words I hadn’t planned or remember verses I thought I’d forgotten.

When I know He’s fully with me, even if I mess up in my own weakness, He’ll still be glorified. Because the focus will be on Him and His glory, not me and my human failings.

And that’s exactly as it should be. 

I Am Nothing (2 Corinthians 10:14-18)

Today’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:14-18

I know I’ve written about this before, but we really have nothing to boast about in ourselves. Or perhaps I should speak only of myself.

I’m so flawed. So very flawed.

I want so much to be a godly, humble woman, but then my flesh rears its ugly head. And suddenly, I’m discontent. Or I’m discouraged. Or I’m prideful

I get a chance to use a God-given gift, and someone affirms me. Instead of immediately giving praise and honor to the Lord, I think, “Yeah. I did well. Good for me.”

Instead of boasting in the Lord, I boast in myself. And that truly breaks my heart.

I know—truly know—that nothing I have, nothing I am, nothing I can do is of my own merit. My abilities to speak and write and teach come directly from God. It is His voice that sings or acts through me. I live in a home that He gave me. I drive a car that He provided.

And as Job said (and I paraphrase), “The Lord gives, and the Lord can take away.” Because it’s all His.

We have nothing to boast about. Absolutely nothing.

Instead, we should give praise and gratitude to the One who chooses to bless us by entrusting our gifts and our things to us. 

Comparisons ... (2 Corinthians 10:12-13)

Today’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:12-13

Comparing ourselves to others is never a wise thing to do. God created us differently—and that’s a very good thing, as far as I’m concerned. When we begin to compare ourselves to others, we can become prideful, thinking we’re somehow better than they are, or we can disparage ourselves, thinking we’re somehow less.

But sometimes when we “commend ourselves,” we’re equally at risk. Paul wrote about to those who “measure themselves by themselves” and their pride. One commentary expounds: 

They were pleased, and did pride themselves, in their own attainments, and never considered those who far exceeded them in gifts and graces, in power and authority; and this made them haughty and insolent. Note, If we would compare ourselves with others who excel us, this would be a good method to keep us humble; we should be pleased and thankful for what we have of gifts or graces, but never pride ourselves therein, as if there were none to be compared with us or that did excel us. The apostle would not be of the number of such vain men: let us resolve that we will not make ourselves of that number. (Matthew Henry Complete Commentary of the Whole Bible)

The bottom line is that we really cannot and should not boast in ourselves because we are nothing of ourselves. What we have and who we are is only by God’s grace. And since He’s created each of us according to His own purpose, comparing ourselves to others and being prideful in ourselves is not only sinful, but it’s also as if we’re telling God He’s done something wrong … And He does nothing wrong.

It comes down to trusting God that He’s right—always. However He’s created us. And whatever He’s called us to do.

Pride vs. Humility (1 Corinthians 5:6-8)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:6-8

A few years ago, I had the privilege of being in production of Annie. One line struck me then ... and now. Mr. Warbucks says something like, “It doesn’t matter who you step on to get up the ladder if you don’t plan on coming back down again.”

That’s pride.

Pride is selfish and self-serving. It boasts in “self,” and says, “It’s all about me.” Pride says, “I’m better than you are, and so I deserve more than you do.” Prideful people are out for “number one,” and they don’t care who they have to step on to get what they want.

On the other end of the spectrum is humility.

Humility is self-less and other-serving. Humility says, “What can I do to help you?” It is sincerely interested in others and desires to lift others up.

As Paul wrote in another of his epistles: “Don't be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves. Care about them as much as you care about yourselves” (CEV, Philippians 2:3-4).

I’ve struggled with pride, with thinking that I’m somehow better than someone else. And then God reminded me that, first of all, He loves each of us equally. Second, He’s gifted each of us uniquely, and each of us serves Him however He’s gifted us. Third, I can’t do anything on my own; He works His will through me.

If I can do anything, it’s only through the strength of Christ. It’s not about me … It’s about Him and what I can do to serve Him and others.

And if I’m going to boast about anything, it must be about Him. Because without Him, I can do nothing.

Don't Compare (2 Cor. 10:12-13)

Today’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:12-13

Comparing ourselves to others is never a wise thing to do. God created us differently—and that’s a very good thing, as far as I’m concerned. When we begin to compare ourselves to others, we can become prideful, thinking we’re somehow better than they are, or we can disparage ourselves, thinking we’re somehow less.

But sometimes when we “commend ourselves,” we’re equally at risk. Paul wrote about to those who “measure themselves by themselves” and their pride. One commentary expounds:  

They were pleased, and did pride themselves, in their own attainments, and never considered those who far exceeded them in gifts and graces, in power and authority; and this made them haughty and insolent. Note: If we would compare ourselves with others who excel us, this would be a good method to keep us humble; we should be pleased and thankful for what we have of gifts or graces, but never pride ourselves therein, as if there were none to be compared with us or that did excel us. The apostle would not be of the number of such vain men: let us resolve that we will not make ourselves of that number.
(The Matthew Henry Complete Commentary of the Whole Bible)

The bottom line is that we really cannot and should not boast in ourselves because we are nothing of ourselves. What we have and who we are is only by God’s grace. And since He’s created each of us according to His own purpose, comparing ourselves to others and being prideful in ourselves is not only sinful, but it’s also as if we’re telling God He’s done something wrong … And He does nothing wrong.

It comes down to trusting God that He’s right—always. However He’s created us. And whatever He’s called us to do.

Pride Versus Humility (1 Cor. 5:6-8)

Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
(1 Corinthians 5:6-8, NASB)

I just finished performing in a production of “Annie,” and at one point, Mr. Warbucks says something like, “It doesn’t matter who you step on to get up the ladder if you don’t plan on coming back down again.”

That’s pride.

Pride is selfish and self-serving. It boasts in “self,” and says, “It’s all about me.” Pride says, “I’m better than you are, and so I deserve more than you do.” Prideful people are out for “number one,” and they don’t care who they have to step on to get what they want.

On the other end of the spectrum is humility.

Humility is self-less and other-serving. Humility says, “What can I do to help you?” It is sincerely interested in others and desires to lift them up.

As Paul wrote in another of his epistles: “Don't be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves. Care about them as much as you care about yourselves” (Philippians 2:3-4, CEV).

I’ve struggled with pride, with thinking that I’m somehow better than someone else. And then God reminded me that, first of all, He loves each of us equally. Second, He’s gifted each of us uniquely, and each of us serves Him however He’s gifted us. Third, I can’t do anything on my own; He works His will through me.

If I can do anything, it’s only through the strength of Christ. It’s not about me … It’s about Him and what I can do to serve Him and others.

And if I’m going to boast about anything, it must be about Him. Because without Him, I can do nothing.

Haman's End (Est. 7:9-10)

Then Harbona, one of the king's personal servants, said, "Your Majesty, Haman built a tower seventy-five feet high beside his house, so he could hang Mordecai on it. And Mordecai is the very one who spoke up and saved your life." "Hang Haman from his own tower!" the king commanded. Right away, Haman was hanged on the tower he had built to hang Mordecai, and the king calmed down.
(Esther 7:9-10, CEV)

And so Haman’s role in our story ends.

His pride, his arrogance, and his hatred have become his downfall … literally. And in the ultimate irony, Haman is hanged on the very tower he’d built to take Mordecai’s life.

So what can we learn from the tragedy of Haman?

Of course, it’s easy for us to look at Haman and comment on what he could have done differently, but what’s important is how we should behave. We have the words of Jesus Himself. We have Paul’s God-inspired letters.

We know that God desires our humility (Ps. 147:6; Prov. 3:34)). We know we should “esteem others better than ourselves” (Phil. 2:3). And when we do, we look out for their interests as well as our own. We certainly do not want to destroy them.

And the other lesson is exactly what our Lord Jesus taught: Love your neighbor (Mark 12:30) and love your enemy (Matt. 5:44). Imagine how Haman’s story would have played out had he known that lesson. Or had he even understood God’s commandment—“You shall not kill”—perhaps he would have made another choice.

But Haman did make a choice to let his pride and hatred consume him. And he ends up losing his very life.

Humilty versus Pride (Est. 6:12-14)

Afterwards, Mordecai returned to his duties at the palace gate, and Haman hurried home, hiding his face in shame. Haman told his wife and friends what had happened. Then his wife and his advisors said, "If Mordecai is a Jew, this is just the beginning of your troubles! You will end up a ruined man." They were still talking, when the king's servants came and quickly took Haman to the dinner that Esther had prepared.
(Esther 6:12-14, CEV)

Today’s verses show yet another stark contrast between Mordecai and Haman.

Mordecai has just been honored by the king. He’s been clothed in the king’s own robe and has ridden the king’s own horse. He’s been led by Haman with the proclamation, “This is how the king honors a man!”

And what does he do when it’s all over? He goes back to work. He doesn’t throw a party for himself. He doesn’t brag throughout the neighborhood. He doesn’t preen and tell everyone how amazing and wonderful he is.

He just goes back to doing what he usually does.

Can you imagine what Haman would have done had he been similarly honored? He would have kept the robe and worn it constantly—probably would have even slept in it. Had FaceBook been around, he would have posted his status and sent a message to all his friends. And photos of him on the horse would have filled his online album.

Instead, he slinks back home, utterly humiliated … just in time for the second dinner party with the royal couple. And hoping for some vindication—after all Mordecai isn’t dining with King Xerxes and Queen Esther—he quickly joins the party.

The Downward Spiral Begins (Est. 6:6b-11)

Haman was sure that he was the one the king wanted to honor. So he replied, "Your Majesty, if you wish to honor a man, have someone bring him one of your own robes and one of your own horses with a fancy headdress. Have one of your highest officials place your robe on this man and lead him through the streets on your horse, while someone shouts, `This is how the king honors a man!'" The king replied, "Hurry and do just what you have said! Don't forget a thing. Get the robe and the horse for Mordecai the Jew, who is on duty at the palace gate!" Haman got the king's robe and put it on Mordecai. He led him through the city on the horse and shouted as he went, "This is how the king honors a man!"
(Esther 6:6b-11, CEV)

Oh, how the mighty have fallen!

Haman is so very full of himself. He is so sure the king wants to honor him, Haman tells the king how he wants to be honored. The king’s robe and horse. Being led through the street with someone shouting “This is how the king honors a man!”

Everyone would see how revered Haman is.

Little did he know … In moments, Haman is enrobing his mortal enemy, Mordecai, and putting him on that kingly horse. And to make matters worse, he is the one leading Mordecai through the streets.

Solomon could have been writing about Haman with the proverb, “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling (16:18).

I know I can be prideful, and Haman’s story is a cautionary tale. Pride left unchecked can lead to, at the very least, stumbling. At worst? Destruction.

Lord, help me to be humble. Help me to “esteem others better than” myself (Phil. 2:3). Help me not to let pride cause me to stumble. Amen.

Haman's Obsession (Est. 5:10b-14)

When Haman got home, he called together his friends and his wife Zeresh and started bragging about his great wealth and all his sons. He told them the many ways that the king had honored him and how all the other officials and leaders had to respect him. Haman added, "That's not all! Besides the king himself, I'm the only person Queen Esther invited for dinner. She has also invited the king and me to dinner tomorrow. But none of this makes me happy, as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the palace gate." Haman's wife and friends said to him, "Have a tower built about seventy-five feet high, and tomorrow morning ask the king to hang Mordecai there. Then later, you can have dinner with the king and enjoy yourself." This seemed like a good idea to Haman, and he had the tower built.
(Esther 5:10b-14, CEV)

Is there any end to Mordecai’s ego … and treachery?

After dinner, he goes home and brags about how wonderful he is. He’s rich. He’s got great sons (and apparently logs of them). He’s been honored by the king. AND he just had dinner with the king and queen—and he’s the only one who was invited. AND he would be going back to dine with the royal couple again.

Good for me! he says. I’m so wonderful. Everything about me is awesome.

You’d think he’d be satisfied. But no. Not at all.

None of the amazing things in his life mattered to him as long as Mordecai lives. So what to do, he asks his wife and friends.

Build a seventy-five foot tower for the king to hang Mordecai, and then he could go off and enjoy dinner with the king and queen.

We look at Haman and condemn his actions—and rightfully so. But I have to wonder. How often do we overlook how immensely blessed we are and focus on the one thing that isn’t going our way. I mean, we certainly don’t desire someone’s death, but don’t we sometimes obsess about what isn’t working rather than what is?

I’m incredibly blessed. I know this, and I’m grateful. So very grateful. Yet, there are times when I overlook my blessings to mull on my ill health. Or my not finding work.

Then I have to ask myself, How like Haman am I? More than I should be. More than I’d like to be.

But unlike Haman, I can ask for forgiveness—and focus on those blessings.