Dear Daily Message Readers,
READ: James 4:1-10
James 4:4 (NKJV) "Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
An American pastor and an Israeli rabbi were having a conversation one day over lunch. The pastor proudly proclaimed, One of my ancestors signed the Declaration of Independence. He thought that the foreign rabbi would be very impressed by this. To his surprise, the rabbi responded, I understand your pride. One of my ancestors signed the Ten Commandments" (Christianglobe.com).
One of the problems with pride is that there is always going to be someone who can top or beat our best efforts. They will always run faster, jump higher, win more, be more beautiful, tell a funnier story, receive more applause, and go one step farther than we do. Even if no one beats our record in our lifetime, someone eventually will. However, an even greater problem with pride is that it puts us in opposition against God. There is only One who can receive glory, and when we try to steal His glory for ourselves, we commit the same sin that caused Satan to be cast out of heaven.
Instead of pride, the apostle James charges us with living a life of humility and service (James 4:1-10). But how can we know when we have truly become humble? I believe it occurs when serving others has become so much a part of us that it is second nature. Unthinkingly, we step in to assist, to help, to give support, to do the menial task, and to provide relief. Secondly, it means we are quick to serve, yes, but I believe it also means that we are quick to use the opportunity to share the love of Jesus through conversation. Because when these steps occur, we are taking the first strides to defeating the age-old problem of pride.
To avoid getting too filled with self, we need to fill our minds with thoughts of God's greatness, and remind ourselves that all we have comes from Him. That's the way to avoid becoming prideful.
Faith Lesson: When we become filled with pride and self, we leave no room for God to work.
In Christ,
Darin Smith
READ: James 4:1-10
James 4:4 (NKJV) "Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
An American pastor and an Israeli rabbi were having a conversation one day over lunch. The pastor proudly proclaimed, One of my ancestors signed the Declaration of Independence. He thought that the foreign rabbi would be very impressed by this. To his surprise, the rabbi responded, I understand your pride. One of my ancestors signed the Ten Commandments" (Christianglobe.com).
One of the problems with pride is that there is always going to be someone who can top or beat our best efforts. They will always run faster, jump higher, win more, be more beautiful, tell a funnier story, receive more applause, and go one step farther than we do. Even if no one beats our record in our lifetime, someone eventually will. However, an even greater problem with pride is that it puts us in opposition against God. There is only One who can receive glory, and when we try to steal His glory for ourselves, we commit the same sin that caused Satan to be cast out of heaven.
Instead of pride, the apostle James charges us with living a life of humility and service (James 4:1-10). But how can we know when we have truly become humble? I believe it occurs when serving others has become so much a part of us that it is second nature. Unthinkingly, we step in to assist, to help, to give support, to do the menial task, and to provide relief. Secondly, it means we are quick to serve, yes, but I believe it also means that we are quick to use the opportunity to share the love of Jesus through conversation. Because when these steps occur, we are taking the first strides to defeating the age-old problem of pride.
To avoid getting too filled with self, we need to fill our minds with thoughts of God's greatness, and remind ourselves that all we have comes from Him. That's the way to avoid becoming prideful.
Faith Lesson: When we become filled with pride and self, we leave no room for God to work.
In Christ,
Darin Smith
