Pride and humility

"I hate pride and haughtiness ..." Proverbs 8. 13

"It is only pride that comes the quarrel." Proverbs 13. 10

"Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart." Matthew 11. 29

Pride often arises when one compares oneself with others. One seeks to situate oneself in relation to others, to find motives to feel superior to oneself, for example as to physical appearance, intellectual capacity, social success, material wealth, biblical knowledge, spirituality, etc. . The merits of the superiorities which are believed to have been observed, are attributed to them, and they boast of them, at least internally, until they think : "I am humble !"

This human defect, God hates her. In fact, pride was the departure of the revolt against him from the devil first and then man. Man compares himself with God and would in some way become his equal. It is the dream that the snake shone to Adam and Eve : "You will be like God [or gods]" (Gen. 3: 5).

The second verse of the day lays bare the root of all quarrels, from the conjugal quarrel to the global explosion. Pride has been the chief cause of disasters in human history ; But his opposite, humility (submission to God), brings healing.

Divine life allows the believer to escape pride if he faithfully follows the example of his master, who has not sought to equal himself to God. The redeemed of the Lord finds his satisfaction in his relationship as a child of God, desiring to obey him out of love. If he thinks of others, it is in humility to esteem them superior to himself (Phil 2: 2). He sees in the other believers the redeemed of Christ, and in the unbelievers of men whom God has made in his likeness, even though sin has disfigured them.

What progress to make to truly manifest the humility which the Lord invites us to learn from Him ! What a blessing in all our relationships when it is realized with joy and without ostentation! What a testimony also in a world where pride reigns, renamed under various names, but always at the base of open or hidden conflicts! What good for our physical and spiritual health when it avoids the frustrations engendered by pride! What a joy for the Lord to see his redeemed being somewhat like him !

Source (To pleasing the Lord)