The Pride of the Writer
Benjamin Franklin wrote: "In reality there is perhaps no one of our natural Passions so hard to subdue as Pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and will now and then peek out and show itself."
Who of us has not struggled with pride? Before you deny it, let's explore what pride really is.
Pride is exalting ourselves above God. It manifests in two primary ways: overtly and discreetly. Indeed, pride is so insidious that at the very moment we think we are being humble, we may be at the peak of pride.
Humility, on the other hand, is acknowledging that we are who God says we are--nothing more, nothing less. So many Christians put themselves down in the name of humility when, in reality, they are guilty of pride. False humility is just that: false.
How do we know when what seems like humility is really pride? Well, let's take the example of an acceptance by a publisher. When your book or article is accepted and someone compliments you, how do you respond? Do you say, "Aw, shucks. It wasn't my doing at all. It was all God." This kind of response is a clear sign of pride, or false humility. Why? Because you had to do your part too. You had to write the book or the article. Yes, God helped you, but you had a part to play too.
So what should you say? You should simply say, "Thank You. God and I co-labored on this project (We are CO-laborers with Christ, remember? - First Corinthians 3:9). He did His part, and I did mine. And together we got the job done."
Pride, I believe, is the root sin from which all others stem. It is the only sin that, by its very nature, blinds us to itself.
Take a few moments today to examine your heart. If you're like me, you'll discover pride lurking somewhere in the hidden corners.
And that's my "musing that matters" for today. What's yours? :)
Blessings,
MaryAnn
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ohmygosh, Mary Ann, it's amazing how timely your Musings are!
I try so hard to stay humble and I fail in so many big ways. Pride really does fool us.
A writer friend and I were just talking about promoting and/or marketing yourself and how that can be a prideful thing. Should Christians do it? I emailed a response just this morning and I gave her the link to your coaching write up on this blog.
I'm going to work harder to remember that I am a co-laborer with Christ. I have been guilty of saying, it was all God. I didn't mean for it to be prideful, but I see now that it really was.
How insidious pride is!