It Comes Before the Fall
Have you ever been afraid to pray for humility?
I have and I remember the first time I felt this way. I remember wondering about the reasons for my reluctance and had this thought: “I’m afraid to ask God to humble me because he might actually do it.” That was the first time I really realized I had some issues with pride. Deep down inside, I knew I was proud of a lot of things, the worst of them being spiritual pride. I was never really a bad kid, I grew up in the church and have always been involved with it and this spawned a sort of “christian arrogance” within me. It was very subtle, almost unconscious, but I saw myself as “better” than a lot of people for a long time.
“…all our righteous acts are like filthy rags…” Isaiah 64:6
“…Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.” Proverbs 8:13
and so I remember fearing how God would work in my life to create humility after such a long season of pride. But what is there to fear? Doesn’t God say that he works for the good of those that love him(Rom 8:28)? Sometimes we confuse what we think is good (money, physical beauty, fame) with what God knows is good and we become afraid when the two don’t coincide. That was where I was. What about you? Do you fear the work that God wants to do in your life because it may involve some humbling?
“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” 1 Pet 5:5
i think just about everyone can relate to your spiritual honesty, John. BUT… He is my father. I have to remember that. My experience with my earthly father deters me, but nonetheless — this does not negate my heavenly Father and the good He wants in my life. Your thoughts coincided well with my early morning quiet time. Thanks man…
alan
“…be ready to confess and willing to go beyond what is necessary in doing so” was a line that caught my eye this morning while reading the little book “Sit, Walk, Stand.” I thought of what I needed to confess – pride. Your words confirmed that. Lord, forgive me for my ugly pride.
Do you fear the work that God wants to do in your life because it may involve some humbling?
Great question to ask ourselves all the time. It is so tough because the pain can be so great. I battle with…. is the pain worth the reward?
Glad this is a day of prayer and fasting to work through this.
Thanks John
Thanks John. I’ve struggled with a similar form of spiritual pride. So…yes, often I fear what God may want to do in my life b/c it requires humbling…and because I can be spiritually lazy at times. Thanks for your transparency…allowing God to use it to cause me and others to reflect on Him and what/where He’s calling us.