FISHERS OF MEN
Pride (Part 4): Some individuals have somewhat of a misunderstanding about pride. Just because a person may say, "I'm proud of that," does not necessarily have the type of pride the bible condemns. Our children need praise. This makes them feel good about themselves and causes a better attitude from them. Our wives and husbands need praise. Elders, Deacons, and Preachers need it. When is the last time you said a word of praise to them? Anyone who does a good work needs it. Paul's' letters to the brethren in the first century contained praise. Don't you think that those who received that praise were built up by it! Pride comes from being delighted with yourself rather than in praise. Our pleasure at being praised should simply come from someone that we would really like to please. However, when we delight wholly in self rather than just in the praise and perhaps we may even say we do not care for praise, and then we should watch out. Some have thought that the great desire is pride. This is not so. The person who has an inordinate desire for praise is vain, not proud. This person is still interested enough in others to care what they think. We may be amused at this vanity but it is not as hard to cure as pride You see Pride doesn't care what people think because it is not interested in other people. We my say, "we’re proud of our son or daughter. This may b e a warm hearted admiration that we have for one of our offspring for their accomplishments. We are not in this case indicating that pride is condemned unless our feelings have reached the stage that we feel that our son, daughter, husband, or wife etc., is so much superior to all others that others are to be discounted. This would be pride and would be condemned. It may be that we do something that we say we are proud of. This may be simply an expression of satisfaction. I am sure that all of us many times use the word "proud" when we are not in any way expressing the type of feeling that the Bible condemns. Before I closer this particular article it would be well for us to note a few other passages in the New Testament that have something to say about pride. James 4:6 says, "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” I Peter 5:5, "Younger men likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility." I John 2:16, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world." Think on These Things Robert Swain
2316 East Hundred Road
Chester, Virginia 23836
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Building located 1.6 miles west of Hopewell, VA on route 10 (2316 East Hundred Road)