Today's post is by guest writer Lucas Ward.
Last time we began a discussion about how hard it is to bear burdens when no one admits to being weighed down or to pray for sins when no one admits to weaknesses (Gal. 6:2; James 5:16). We discussed fear as a reason for that unwillingness to admit struggles and concluded that a proper show of love was the solution to that problem.
This time I want to consider pride as a problem. Specifically, pride in our religious status. Jesus dealt with this problem constantly in His encounters with the Pharisees and Chief Priests. E.g. “They replied to him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves to anybody. So how can you say, 'You will be set free?’” (John 8:33) Their reliance upon their status within their religious system – by that time somewhat different from what God had given them on Sinai – did not allow them to understand what Jesus said. Also, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feast” (Luke 20:26). People with this much pride in their status within their religion could never admit to a burden they couldn’t bear or sins they couldn’t overcome. They never would ask for help.
In fact, this pride is what led these people to killing Jesus and, later, persecuting Christians. “If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” (John 11:48) Which do you think they minded more, that the people would believe in Jesus rather than them or that the Romans might come? Even their fear of the Romans was based upon them loosing their place! Acts 5:17-18 says that the High Priest had the Apostles arrested because of his jealousy. They were hardly alone in the N.T. 2 Cor. 11:13 speaks of people claiming apostle status. 1 Cor. 12-14 deals with status claims based on how cool their various spiritual gifts were. John 12:42-43 shows how this type of pride will keep us away from Christ. It was so bad that Paul began mocking the pride in status by bragging himself, tongue firmly planted in cheek: 2 Cor. 11:21-23 “But whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.”
Unfortunately, we haven’t left this type of pride in the Twenty-First Century. Whether it is pride in who our family is, pride in institutional affiliation, or pride in the type of service we perform for the church, too many of us build our egos upon our supposed status within our religion. We can’t risk that status by admitting to weaknesses, too heavy weights, or sadness. Allow me to illustrate by being silly in the same way Paul was, just in more modern terms: I was not only raised in the church, I was raised in the church by parents who were also raised in the church. All four grand-parents were members, all of whom knew their Bibles backwards and forwards. My father has been a preacher/deacon/elder for 50 years and my mother has taught Ladies’ Bible Classes, and written their study materials, for as long. One grandfather was in the first class at Florida College, my parents both graduated from there (Dad with his Bible certificate), my brother and I both graduated from FC, and my brother is a professor of Biblical studies there. I myself have been a preacher for over six years, have written a Christian self-help book and have had essays published in two other anthologies.
All this sounds pretty impressive, but what does it get me? None of those religious status symbols will save me. Claiming affiliation with Florida College will not help when I stand before the Lord on the last day, nor will years of preaching or the number of books published. (Matt. 7:22-23). None of these things will protect me from temptations. Remember when Jesus said that our righteousness must be greater than those prideful Pharisees? (Matt. 5:20) He went on to elaborate by speaking of runaway anger and lust, lying, vengeance and hatred. All their status did not keep them from temptation and sin.
Prov. 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.”
Prov. 29:23 “One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.”
Ultimately, if my pride keeps me from asking for help when I need it, then my pride is harming me and will lead to destruction.
John 12:42-43 “Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.”
Lucas Ward
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