It's an abomination! There's no way around it. Scripture is absolutely clear on this. Regardless of what you think or believe, the truth is the truth. I'm not exactly sure just how bad an "abomination" is, but from what I read in Scripture it is a serious offense. So, I think we have to talk about it. We can't simply ignore it and expect it to go away. I just read this verse in the Bible a few days ago and I've been thinking about it ever since.
"Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished" (Proverbs 16:5 - NKJV). There it is, I said it. I'm glad I got that off my chest. I know, I know, we don't go around quoting this one do we? But there it is in black and white. Those who have pride in their heart are an abomination. I know, it's a tough pill to swallow but we sure don't have trouble force feeding this same pill to certain others who commit other "abominations."
"Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished" (Proverbs 16:5 - NKJV). There it is, I said it. I'm glad I got that off my chest. I know, I know, we don't go around quoting this one do we? But there it is in black and white. Those who have pride in their heart are an abomination. I know, it's a tough pill to swallow but we sure don't have trouble force feeding this same pill to certain others who commit other "abominations."
Pride is a tough one. It often lies deep in our hearts unnoticed by those who carry it. Oh, but it is so blatantly obvious to all those around us. It's like a tattoo painted on our forehead unseen by us but easily seen by everyone around us. It's hard to address because a prideful person is rarely a teachable person. They are convinced they've got it all together when in reality they are moments from it all falling apart. Show me a prideful person who refuses counsel and I'll show you a person who is destined for destruction. Afterall, God, the Creator of the Universe, Himself opposes them. Now, I don't particularly like it when anyone opposes me, but I'm thinking if God opposes me that would be the worse case scenario ever!!! That would be like rowing a boat upstream without a paddle, with a gaping hole in the bottom, in the middle of a hurricane, in water infested with crocodiles, snakes, piranhas, and a flesh eating virus. Oh, did I mention the 150 foot waterfall with jagged rocks and hungry bears waiting at the bottom?
It is true that God loves us, but it is equally true that He opposes the proud. "...“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (I Peter 5:5). Pride has no place in the heart of a follower of Jesus. No, I didn't say we would never have issues with it, but we should never allow it to take root in our hearts. I am personally on the lookout for this sneaky, slimy, enemy constantly. I don't ever want it to take up residence in my heart. There was a time in my life when I was extremely prideful and arrogant. To be honest when I look back at that person I once was, I can catch a glimpse of just what an "abomination" is. If I was to encounter that guy today, I couldn't stand him. I would be completely repelled by him. Thanks to the grace and mercy of God that guy is no longer around today.
Still, there are moments when I struggle with this thing called pride because it is always standing at the door looking for a place to get its foot in. Here's the key, I've learned to allow the Holy Spirit access to the corridors of my heart. I'll ask Him questions like, "Do I have pride in that area?" Was my motive in that matter a prideful one? Do I have pride in my heart? Trust me, He answers clearly! He hates pride. It's an abomination to Him. If His child wants to get rid of that spiritual cancer, He is there to help eradicate it.
One last thought...I have enough to worry about trying to keep from committing an abomination by getting into pride to concern myself with others who struggle with other abominations. So, until I can get this 2x4 out of my eye, I'll leave others to deal with the speck in their eyes.
