We Gotta Watch Our Pronouns! - Pride, Part 2

Now hear this!  Now here this! WARNING: our self elevating “I’s” and “my’s” can lead to our destruction.  Proverbs 16:18 promises, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”  Have you ever noticed that “i” is the middle letter of the words, "Pride" and "Sin"?  Ouch.
 
Proverbs is the perfect place to compare and contrast the consequences and ugly returns of improperly placed pride.  Pride often surfaces as defiance / rebellion toward God with an underlying attitude of, “I can handle this without You.  My way; not Your way.”  We don’t intend to be this forthright, but honestly our improper pride stinks before God and before others.  Who are we fooling?  Most likely… ourselves.
 
One of the clearest scriptural examples of pride's slippery slope and spiraling snare of full blown arrogance with its inevitable destruction is in the life of King Nebuchadnezzar (most powerful man of his time) as recorded in Daniel 4:28-37.  Read it slowly; personalize it by wearing his robe then realizing his insanity.  Do not miss his final revelation and proclamation of God and God’s character.
 
Here’s a big “T” (transition).  There is a time and place for properly placed pride.  This form is anchored in respect, reverence, and is the return of hard work and sacrifice.  Its focus is on accomplishment of the reward of commitment and unifies versus destroys.  It can easily become wrong, but at its core it is good.  Take for example, TCU competing for all the “little guys” in their recent victory at the Rose Bowl.  For the moment, Horned Frog Pride is justified.  Within a few short days all their work, sacrifice and commitment will have to restart to earn such temporal accolades.
 
Let’s build a proper foundation to place our pride … here's a start, so let’s add to it together.
 
Places for Pride                                                              No Place for Pride
Hard work: school, sport, arts, music                            arrogant attitude
Family: heritage, character                                            superior entitlement
Accomplishments / honors                                             envy or put-downs
Country / valor                                                                  devaluing other ethnicities
 

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Camper Corner:
 
Take a look at the list above – what’s your take?  What would you add?  ... Careful with your pronouns cause they’ll trip you up every time.  Your pronouns reveal your heart’s motives – I know, I fight it daily.
 
Take pride in God’s gifting and in His touches.  With those, work hard, be passionate and fully engaged.  Don’t resist it, rather embrace it.  Let Colossians 3:17 and 23 be your life verse and life’s motivation – psst it’s all about Him and His glory.