Compare and Contrast- Part 2
How willing are you to see where there may be pride within you?
Verse of the Day
“He tells us everything over and over— one line at a time, one line at a time, a little here, and a little there!”
Today’s Devotional
Over and over God warns us against being prideful. We see it in His Word, we see it in the way the Holy Spirit convicts people who are teachable, we see the downfall of those who are consumed with pride. Are we paying attention?
Let’s continue looking at the comparison of pride and brokenness/humility. We would be wise to look carefully for God’s invitation to humble ourselves.
ATTITUDES ABOUT SERVICE AND MINISTRY
Proud people desire to be served—they want life to revolve around them and their own needs. Broken people are motivated to serve others and to be sure others’ needs are met before their own.
Proud people desire to be known as a success. Broken people are motivated to be faithful and to make others successful.
Proud people have a feeling—conscious or subconscious—that “this ministry (or this organization) is privileged to have me and my gifts.” They focus on what they can do for God. Broken people have a heart attitude that says “I don’t deserve to have any part in this ministry”; they know that they have nothing to offer God except the life of Jesus flowing through their broken lives.
ATTITUDES ABOUT RECOGNITION
Proud people crave self-advancement. Broken people desire to promote others.
Proud people have a drive to be recognized and appreciated for their efforts. Broken people have a sense of their own unworthiness; they are thrilled that God would use them at all.
Proud people get wounded when others are promoted and they are overlooked. Broken people are eager for others to get the credit, and they rejoice when others are lifted up.
Proud people are elated by praise and deflated by criticism. Broken people know that any praise of their accomplishments belongs to the Lord and that criticism can help them grow into spiritual maturity.
ATTITUDES ABOUT THEMSELVES
Proud people feel confident in how much they know. Broken people are humbled by how very much they have to learn.
Proud people are self-conscious; they worry about what others think of them. Broken people are not preoccupied with what others think of them.
Proud people are concerned about appearing respectable; they are driven to protect their image and reputation. Broken people are concerned with being real; they care less about what others think than about what God knows—they are willing to die to their own reputation.
Proud people can’t bear to fail or for anyone to think they are less than perfect. This can drive them to extremes— workaholic tendencies, perfectionism, the tendency to drive others to place unrealistic expectations on themselves/others. Broken people can recognize and live within God-give limitations.
Is anyone uncomfortable yet? We have one more day of comparisons tomorrow. Each time I read through this list I am grateful that God allowed Nancy Leigh DeMoss to use her gifts to advance God’s Kingdom in my life. It’s in humility that we are putty in God’s hands to be used for His Glory.
Journal Prompts
Answer only the questions that seem relevant to you today.
Where do you see evidence of (or growth in) brokenness? How do you see the kindness of God in growing you in humility and/or brokenness?
Where do you see evidence of pride?
Write a prayer of confession to God for the pride that you see.
Invite God to remove the pride from your heart. Ask Him what that means for you today.
Write a prayer of thanksgiving that God is willing to help you in becoming more like Him.