I can safely assume that none of us are immune to pride. When we are doing really well, it sometimes messes with our spiritual life. Success allows for humility to take a backseat. Even when we think we are giving glory to God.
How can we guard ourselves from pride?
“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
Galatians 6:14
Early in my career, many moons ago my colleagues and I were having a conversation about buying cars. This topic should not come as a surprise, I guess. Some of us were of the thought that we should have enough money to walk into a car showroom, pay in full, and walk out with a flashy new car.
At that time, I knew my parents could do that and I had witnessed them walk out of a showroom with a car of their choice. I was of the other camp. One that would pick out a car, think through it, save money for it, go through a budgetary exercise and then go and buy it. Somehow, the idea of savoring the idea of owning something big and drawing it out into a well thought out budget activity gave me a sense of accomplishment.
No matter how your “car” is financed, through money inherited, saved or a mortgage. The thought process behind is to avoid taking things for granted or end up prideful. In an attempt to work for your material gain, you may be a victim of pride. In acquiring material gain through inheritance or a mortgage, you may not pause to show gratitude. Either way we get hit with the propensity to sin. We end up entitled or we end up prideful.
“For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? “
1 Corinthians 4:7
I think it is harder to remember that we receive everything from God when we work for something, and we see it materialize in our lives. The thought process may incorrectly lead us to conclusions like, “it could not have happened if I was not obedient”, “if I was not hard working” or ” if I was not listening to the Holy Spirit”. You have to guard your heart and your thoughts at all times.
“Keep your heart with all diligence,
Proverbs 4:23
For out of it spring the issues of life.”
I think success is more dangerous to our spiritual growth than hardships. We turn to God in our state of despair. We try to exalt God in our blessings, but we may end up like in King Uzziah.
“But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God by entering the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.”
2 Chronicles 26:16
I think we have to pray harder when we are successful and things are going well. We need more protection when life seems safer, we could foolishly be separated from our Lord. Dear Christian! Guard your heart and your mind. Know that nothing is possible without the grace and mercy of our good God and always be thankful.
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Dear Jesus,
Please help me keep my eyes locked with Yours always, all day long. Thank You for the good and the bad circumstances. Please guide me to hang tight no matter the situation. Remind me that we sink and sail together, You by my side always. Amen.