Have an attitude?

There are many kinds of people around us. Some are very friendly, some are shy and some others very active & cheerful. There is also another category who puts on an “attitude” and are rude, arrogant & selfish. The world that we live in also promotes and glorifies the aspect of putting on an attitude. Is this right?

Well, putting on an attitude and being arrogant is normally an outcome of PRIDE. “Being Proud” means “thinking very highly about oneself and showing excessively high opinion of oneself & one’s importance”. For “the proud“, the world seems to revolve around them and they expect everyone else to think likewise and act likewise. They expect special treatment from everyone and consider themselves as “ELITE” – the best & the wisest. And when it comes to others, they scorn, they look down upon them and laugh at everything concerning them, even their achievements – if not openly, at least in their hearts…

Do you fall into this category? Do you have an attitude? Do you have a proud heart? Then you are in big trouble friend! BEWARE of “Being Proud“.

Why should we be so conscious about PRIDE? Let us open the treasure book for clues!!!

OPENING THE TREASURE BOOK

Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.

Proverbs 16:5

God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble

James 4: 6

We already know that when God looks at a person, he scans the heart (What does God notice in me) and finds the exact condition of the heart. Here the word of God says that God doesn’t like a proud heart rather it is an abomination to him. For each one of us, there are things that disgusts us – maybe unclean surroundings, a pile of waste, certain smells etc. For GOD, a person with a PROUD HEART is DISGUSTING. GOD RESISTS them.

This is indeed a horrible place to be. If God resists us whom do we turn to? What do we do if He finds us disgusting? Since God hates a proud heart and finds its disgusting, we should never let our hearts be filled with pride and contempt. For that, we should constantly do a self-check.

The self check

A proud and haughty man – scoffer is his name. He acts with arrogant pride

Proverbs 21:24

A major behavioral trait of a proud person is SCOFFING… The word of God even calls a proud person “scoffer”. Scoffer is one who makes fun of others and their ideas. He will always look down upon others with contempt, consider them silly, laugh at them and their situations, even their achievements. Scoffers think they are better-off than everyone else and SUPERIOR to others. They tend to be arrogant in all their dealings. Probably, some people might not show these behavioral traits outwardly, but keeps it hidden inward. God is the scanner of hearts and He gets to see all these traits hidden in your hearts. So be true to yourself and examine if you are proud at heart – Do I scoff? Do I have these behavioral traits? If you do, now is the time to turn away from it and change your attitude.

So then how should our attitude be?

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.

1 peter 5: 5-6

We should be submissive especially to our elders and to one another. Put on / wear humility as your attitude. We can be humble, when we submit ourselves completely to God and understand that all what we have and enjoy is a gracious gift of God. Even the next moment of our life is not in our hands and we do not have any control over it. We do not have any thing to be proud of, except our God. Also we are not superior to anyone rather are all God’s children. Our color, family background, financial stability, talents, social status, authority etc., doesn’t give us any edge over others. We should be of the same mind toward one another. Jesus, being God, humbled himself before the Father and gave Himself up for us who were lowly. When we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, He will give us grace and exalt us.

So clothe yourself with humility and “Embrace” it.

When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.

Proverbs 11:2

A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.

Proverbs 29:23

By humility and the fear of the lord are riches and honor and life.

Proverbs 22:4

We wear clothes to cover and to protect our body. Similarly clothing ourselves with humility also protects us from shame and disgrace which is brought about by Pride. Pride brings a man down whereas humbleness or humility brings honor. Being humble is also considered Godly wisdom. Humility brings riches and life. God gives Grace to the humble and exalts them. So clothing ourselves with humility not only protects us from shame and disgrace but also brings about honor, riches, grace and exaltation.

So Embrace Humility!!

Treasures uncovered

When we achieve something, it is quite natural to say or think ” I am proud of myself”. It is okay to feel so. But this should not lead us to a state where we scoff others, mock them, ridicule them, scorn them, show an attitude and be mean to them. Our life should not revolve around our achievements, our social status, power, authority or financial stability.. Then we tend to become PROUD, narrow-minded and mean. Be grounded and get your life revolve around God and His wisdom. Submit yourselves before God and wear humility.

Prayer:

Father, we submit ourselves before you. Reveal to us if there is hidden pride in any area of our life. Help us to wear humility and be humble in all our ways. Guide us and teach us your wisdom. Help us to be always compassionate to our fellow beings and see them as Children of God. In Jesus name Amen.

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