What is Pride?

by Barbara Latta

“What shall we say then? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NKJV).

I was always a shy child. I was never the first one to start a conversation, promote a game, or volunteer to answer questions or do anything that required being in front of the class at school. Giving book reports or being called on by the teacher caused major stammering and face reddening. I had an inferiority complex.

Pride is a double sided coin

Most of us think of pride as arrogance, egotism, or greed because these traits promote self. But someone who feels inferior or shy is also focused on how they appear to others.

To put it simply, pride is selfishness. We are merely concerned about what others think of us. Whether it’s arrogance or inferiority, they are both merely flip sides of the same coin. We want to blame our feelings on our personality, genetics, or circumstances, but they are really learned traits.  

What is the remedy for this malady we all suffer from in some way or another?

Focusing on God and what He thinks of us will change the image we have on the inside. While we will never completely be rid of self while on this earth, we can turn in the direction of becoming more like Christ.

We are instructed not to think or ourselves more highly than we ought to (Romans 12:3), but to use the gifts God has put in us to serve the body of Christ. While one who is arrogant may consider he or she should have a higher position, a person who feels inferior may feel they cannot accomplish what they have been called to do. Each mindset is prideful because the focus is not on the kingdom of God.

God's Way is the only way

The gifts God has bestowed upon us have come from Him so who are we to argue with that? If He gave it, it is for the purpose of serving one another and lifting up Christ.  We are not here for self- promotion, and not for self-debasement.

Today's Roadmap: In every circumstance I face today, I will think about how my behavior affects the kingdom of God and not my world. I will put Christ first in my thoughts, and He will give me His favor. I do not need the approval of man to excel in life.

We can do all things through Christ, no matter which side of the coin we come from as long as we will focus on Him.

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