Pride

Thank God that our church has been faithful till now. Many churches have fallen because of many reasons. I want to share with you that one of the biggest reason is PRIDE. This article aims to serve as a warning and also a reminder to myself and hopefully to exhort others.

Have you ever wondered why some preachers say that pride is the chief of all sins? It is not just because it is the first of all sins that cause Satan to fall, but through this article I just want to bring out this pride so that it is more obvious to us. Pride comes swiftly as nobody can see it except you and God. I want to begin by sharing how pride started with ourselves, then to others, then to the church and finally to the world. This list are not exhaustive, it is just to serve as a guide to let us see how serious pride is.

• Pride makes me feel that I do not have to pray, I can do things by myself.
• Pride causes me to think that I have wisdom; I don’t need to read God’s Word.
• Pride exclaims to tell me that I feel good when others say that I am capable of completing a task. God did not help me.
• Pride assures me that I can do all things through myself; I am the one who strengthens myself. I do not need God.
• Pride whispers to me that it is okay to sin because others kept on sinning. Their sins are worst compared to mine!
• Pride tells me not to forgive others, I know Christ has forgiven me but I just cannot forgive that person.
• Pride instructs me not to say sorry, because I think that I have done nothing wrong even though it is my mistake.
• Pride wants me to covet after the abilities that others can do, I want to be like them, and I want power, money and status!
• Pride deduces that I am spiritually better than the other person. Why do I have to listen to a young chap sharing God’s Word? I have better things to do.
• Pride coveys to me not to repent even though the preaching of God’s Word is so clear.
• Pride shows me that I can do this church event better than others; you should do it my way!
• Pride indicates to me that I can serve God better compared to others, I can relax for now.
• Pride requires me to disagree with your doctrinal stand, who says that your way of interpreting the bible is the best way! There is only one interpretation but many applications. My way is the correct one!
• Pride communicates to me that worshipping God is not only in this manner; God wants us to be happy and full of joy when worshipping Him. I must play the kind of music that people likes to hear and feel happy. There is nothing wrong with raising up my hands to indicate that I love God. Come on, it is just a different way to do things. Do not be so sensitive! Pride pats me on the shoulder saying, “The church cannot survive without my service, I am indispensable.”
• Pride shouts to me complaining how can this person serve better than me. I must work hard to serve better than this person! Why am I not as good as this person?
• Pride provokes nations to rise against nations. Sometimes it started with verbal attacks, sour relationship, religious dealings or even a shooting incident.

Now I know how serious is the pride of life. If I am not careful, I will fall into Satan’s trap. I must admit them some of the things mentioned above describes me. Many fellowship and churches had fallen because of pride. How about you? Do you constantly check yourself? Let us pray that the Lord will help us to watch the pride in us, as pride is one and the first of the seven abominations that God hates :

Proverbs 6:16-19: These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Brother Alan Tan