Pride. Unfortunately, we are also a prideful people by nature. Most if not all sin can be traced back to pride. It is one of the things that God hates. Yet it is so intrinsic to our nature that we need to be constantly mindful of it. The bible is full of teachings against pride such as:
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Romans 12:16
Yet we can allow our pride to put up a wall around our heart. We can convince ourselves that we can live with pain and hurt but not if someone knew about it! We can convince ourselves that it is better to live with a poor decision than to admit we might have been wrong. Pride and fear are intricately connected in this fashion. Our pride feeds our fear and our fear feeds our pride. We can be so consumed with our private pain and our public façade that eventually, we can become ineffective in the kingdom. Ineffective for what God would have us do. That is the design and scheme of the enemy. The enemy is what truly feeds your pride and fear. It is where he lives. By isolating Christians, it is easier for them to fall prey to the whispering the enemy engages us in. Seek God with all your might and seek the help of those He has given you in your life. It is the enemy wants you alone! He knows that if you seek other Christians for help in your pain, then there will be even more prayer, releasing even more power. Within that power and prayer is healing.
We can continue to carry around the guilt and condemnation of a past Christ is willing to take from us. We can continue to walk in the despair of failed relationships or hurtful words. We can continue to walk around wounded, bleeding spiritually and emotionally, but telling all who will listen that we are blessed. And we are blessed. We have the assurance in our salvation that we are separated to God but people often confuse the promise of eternal life as being in the future. Eternal life begins AT salvation. It is most unfortunate but there are far too many Christians who are crawling to the finish line. Living the eternal life with no victory. It is ok to hurt beloved. In the eyes of the world, it may make you weaker but we are no longer to conform to the pattern of thinking the world possesses but rather be transformed through the renewing in our minds (Romans 12: 2). In God's eyes however, it makes you stronger because then His power can be made perfect in your life. You can live the eternal life in the victory God intended for each of us. The world has convinced us that the picture of victory is one of man with his arms raised triumphantly. God's picture however, is one of man bowed low, on his knees, in humility. Take the mask off today.
Anthony Wade July 2, 2008
