It would be easy for one to be self-righteous in their thinking that since they have lived the majority of their life for God, that making a couple of selfish choices would do no harm. Let us remember the words of Jesus when he said, "a little leaven ruins the whole loaf". We can easily see this when we reflect on the choic Adan & Eve made to eat from the wrong tree. On the surface it looked like no big deal. But one drop of pride ruined the whole human race! (Romans 5:12)
God testifies that He resists the proud (1Peter 5:5). Lucifer enjoyed the Presence in heaven until he let one choice remove him. And look what that has brought on:
Abel killed his brother because of it.
Annointed Saul plotted evil because of it.
Hezekiah became a madman due to it.
A whole city nearly didn't turn to God in repentence because of the prophet Jonah's pride.
Because of Peter's pride, Jesus rebuked him as Satan's agent.
There are many other examples but the point I'd like to make is that all these were doing fine, some holding highly regarded positions before they let in a little bit of pride to their demise. You can also see that in fallen ministers today that previously enjoyed good success. So we cannot place our security in any position, past victory, or any doctrine we archive in our heart. For they cannot rescue us from the opportunity of pride. AND IN FACT, they delude us into believing a little pride couldn't possibly do that much harm compared to our track record. History proves otherwise- even when it's outside the religious realm. From CEO's that were hailed on the cover of magazines and are now in jail for embezzling to gifted athletes that proclaimed their greatness and are now far removed from excellence.
The outbreak of so many fallen heroes is due to one missing ingredient which is seldom reinforced even in the church. That safeguard is: the fear of the Lord. When this sense of fear & awe returns to the church we will see amazing things like they did in the book of Acts, as they revered God. And in fact, when some allowed their one drop of pride to override their sense of fear & awe- they DIED (see Acts 5). As a result, greater fear came over the whole church. But when have you sensed that in your church? Hardly ever, if at all- which is why there is a lack of power and why the occasions of pride are tolerated. And it doesn't matter if you put a christian label on pride- it's still destructive. And it has blinded us. It has blinded us from accepting the humility of Jesus, to the point where we look on that as a weakness! But this pride is directly opposed to the ways of God and will never be deemed acceptable, even under the guise of building programs, or other great undertakings in the name of Jesus. When we seek to draw men to ourselves through our gifts & talents, or more subtly, our programs, pride is the default even if we call it a work of God. And we inwardly brag about how the Lord has used us.
PS- Confession: Even as I wrote this, I noticed the tendency to glee in its composition, while I should be weeping at how pride has brought erosion to our souls. For maturity in faith or expressions of gifts do not dismiss the occasion for the presence of pride. As Genesis 4 warns, "If you do not do well, sin is crouching at your door; and its desire is to master you, but you must master it."
Luke 22 reveals Satan has asked permission to sift all of you like wheat. The devil wants to impart his nature in you and his permission slip is our pride. Don't sign the papers!
