For instance, loving others is the grace of God to
selfish sinners. Loving others, in the strength of Jesus Christ, is a delight. But
as soon as I start thinking about the virtue of loving others and that I have
it, and that this is a blessing, that introspection is in danger of becoming spiritual
pride. Who is loved when I say, “Look at me, look at how much I love others”?
Doing acts of kindness in the grace and power that God
gives is another example. Whenever I am engaged in godly ministry to anyone in
need, as soon as I begin looking at myself and what I am doing, even patting
myself on the back and thinking I am some sort of spiritual hotshot, the
kindness dissolves into inflated ego and I fall off my pedestal.
The Bible is filled with warnings about spiritual pride
and the need to humble myself lest pride overcomes me. Pride begins in the mind
so I need to fill my mind with better thoughts. One way to do that is reading
the stories of God’s people in the Old Testament. Paul explains how these events
“took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did” (1
Corinthians 10:6). When I see what happened to those God chose as His people, I
know that the same things could happen to me.
Paul knew that too, so after he points to them and my
need to avoid the same mistakes, he warns,
Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:12–13)
I notice two things. One is that the fall from spiritual
strength to looking inward and losing that strength does not have to happen. With
every temptation, God provides a way of escape. I do not need to gloat in any
gift from Him, then become a pain in the experience of those around me. I do
not need to yield to that temptation to pat myself on the back as if I am the
source and sustainer of my own spiritual life. God does offer a way of escape.
His way of escape from the temptation of pride is the
way of humility. While verbally exalting and thanking the Savior for all good
things in my life is an important habit, humility goes beyond words. I cannot respond
to success or the praises from others by just mouthing the words, “Give God the
glory.” I must know deep in my heart that He is God and I am mere mortal,
sinner and totally dependent on Him and His grace.
The note in today’s devotional is short, but it is a
humble-reminder. These words put into perspective the ease at which anyone,
especially me, can fall into spiritual pride. The reading says only this:
Angels fell in Heaven, Adam in paradise, Peter in Christ’s presence.
No matter what place I am in or how close to God I am,
temptation can knock me from that into the mire of self-reliance, or worse,
into the muck of more blatant sin. Every day, every moment of every day, I need
to remember who God is and who I am.
Lord, You often say that Your people are to “humble”
ourselves. Life often does that for us as we stumble through it. I learn from
falling on my ego that I am nothing and You are everything. Please keep my
focus on You today. No matter what happens, I want to remember that You are the
Savior and I am merely the saved sinner.
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