Pride

"Pride is the oldest sin the world. Satan and his angels fell by pride. They were not satisfied with their first situation and status. Thus, pride stocked Hell with its first inhabitants.

Pride threw Adam out of paradise... sin, sorrow, and death entered in by pride.

Pride sits in all our hearts by nature. We are born proud. Pride makes us rest content with ourselves - think we are good enough as we are - keep us from taking advice - refuse the gospel of Christ - turn everyone to his own way." (p. 21, 22 Thoughts For Young Men - Addressing theGreatest Challenges in a Young Man's Life by J. C. Ryle)

I am reading this book to my children right now as part of our family time. As I got to this part it really made me think. (Funny how teaching our children right and wrong cuts us to the bone.)

I do struggle with pride, even pride in humility.

One phrase I would like to focus on is "think we are good enough as we are". Our goal in life as Christians is to be like Christ. Can we ever achieve this? No, He is perfection and we are tainted by sin. However we are to strive daily to become more and more like Him. We are to continually swallow our pride and with humility learn from our mistakes and from others.

Philippians 2:1-13 says it this way.
1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

I would encourage all of you to get a copy of this book and read it to your sons, but much more importantly, I would encourage ya'll to examine yourself and root out your pride. If not for your own sake, then for your children.