Okay, I guess I don't know for sure that Pride is purple-eyed, but I thought it sounded good. You know, purple is the traditional color of royalty and when I am steeped in pride I consider my opinions to be more valid and important and reliable than God's and therefore I make myself out to be royalty versus the real royalty of the King of Kings... (Whoa. Okay. Stop. Take a breath. Inhale. Exhale. Better now.) :)
It seems that God has more to teach me, using my "Envy lesson" from last week as a springboard .
Webster's says Pride is a "high opinion of one's worth." For me, the connotation is that this worth is higher than everyone else's. A prideful person feels that they are better than others, that their opinion is the correct one, the only one that matters in the end.
It's occurred to me recently that the opposite is also true. Thinking that you are worse than everyone else is also pride.
"Okay, um, HUH? What did you just say?"
I believe that when I am down on myself I am just as prideful as being "up" on myself.
Romans 14:23 says, "Whatever is not from faith is sin." Any time I trust or believe my own opinion over God's, I am in defiance of God. Sin.
Now, we are also called to "think of ourselves with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given us." (Rom 12:3) Complete honesty. Total openness. Based on GOD'S WORD, not on my own fickle feelings or whims of the world.
How does He see me?
As clay He is molding.
More than that, as a sheep He is leading.
More than that, as a servant He is charging.
More than that, as a child He is teaching.
More than that, as a friend He is confiding.
More than that, as The Beloved He is pursuing, wooing, loving.
Hmmm. I like that. That sounds a whole lot better than what I have been thinking.
(progression of relationship courtesy of John Eldredge)
You are so right- we are still thinking of ourselves when we are down on ourselves. I love acts of service because they always make us feel better while helping others. Keep writing:)
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