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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | What is "spiritual pride"? | Prov 16:18 | cwade | 68983 | ||
What is spiritual pride? Is it a sin to be proud of one's knowledge of the Bible? | ||||||
2 | What is "spiritual pride"? | Prov 16:18 | Hank | 69026 | ||
Cwade: Your question on pride reminds me of the infamous character Uriah Heep in Charles Dickens' "David Copperfield." Uriah was so proud of his humility that he went around boasting about it. In the final analysis, all pride is spiritual pride: there can be no other kind. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees severely for their pious way of praying on the street corners so that all men might see how devout they were. It was pure hypocrisy, of course, and their assumed piety was nothing more than thinly disguised pride. Pride -- a haughty spirit -- is "I" trouble that no ophthalmologist can cure. Since the misdoings of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, man has wanted to partake of the forbidden fruit so that he "will be like God." [cf. Gen. 3:5]. But who was it that appealed to Eve's pride and thus deceived her? [Gen.3:4]. Pride says, "I am the captain of my soul, the master of my fate." Humanism decrees that man alone has the capacity to rule his life, that he is the center of his universe, that he does not need God, who doesn't exist anyway. This is, of course, a transparent appeal to raw pride; that's why it's so popular in the world. Man is Mr. Big, he is accountable to no one, he rules the roost. That's humanism and humanism is formed and grounded in pride; it panders to fallen humanity who have lost their direction but not their pride..... And to the second arm of your question, cwade, concerning pride in one's knowledge of the Bible. Well, I don't really see how anyone who has anything more a thin, shallow, surface knowledge of Scripture could be proud of it. I say that for this reason: The air-head who is proud of his scriptural knowledge because he can quote a dozen or so verses and knows the Old Testament books from the New is a fool, because the reality is that the more the diligent student learns about the Bible the more he recognizes what little he knows and how vast the plain into which he has never yet traveled. So profound are the truths of the Bible and so vast its treasures, that even though I should study it diligently for a thousand years, I suppose I would have only begun to etch the surface. Thus one who takes pride in his knowledge of the Bible is displaying, for all the world to see, his wretched and abject ignorance. From your posts, gentle fellow, I infer that you have allowed Christ Jesus, not pride, to rule your will and direct your life. May it always be thus with you. --Hank | ||||||
3 | What is "spiritual pride"? | Prov 16:18 | EdB | 69040 | ||
Hank That reminds me of the story of a church that decided to seek out and reward their most humble member. After much searching and studying of character they unanimously selected a faithful and truly humble man. The following Sunday with much ceremony they called the man forwarded and rewarded him with a big sparkling badge for his humbleness, but alas they had to take it back. You see he wore the badge. Spiritual pride is a swift pursuer many have imagined they have out ran it and confessed to have a hold on humility only to find that they are in fact wrapped in the arms of pride. I believe anytime you have to tell anyone of your education, your vastness of knowledge, your expertise in handling the Word of God, or you spiritual gifting you probably more involved with spiritual pride than with spiritual humility. We have seen it on this forum many come and try to establish a position of expertise on the forum by letting us know of their education or academic prowess. Most often it is done very surreptitiously, but it never fails to make me wonder if they see the pride that is being exhibited. One who fights pride everyday. A problem every good looking guy has :-) EdB |
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