“When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.”
— Mark Twain
[love] does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others,
— I Corinthians 13:4-5
Bottom Line: Pride blocks our ability to be present to others with love.
How does pride block your ability to love?
Pride effects your ability to admit your struggles and mistakes.
Pride keeps you from honestly examining yourself.
Pride can make relationships one-sided.
Pride causes you to believe your own needs and desires are more important than other people’s.
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 12:10
Pride leads to judging others and keeping them at arms length.
Pride keeps you from using your time and energy to serve others.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position (or willing to do menial work)”
Romans 12:16
You’ll become “one of those people who, as they say, ‘live for others’ but always in a discontented, grumbling way—always wondering why the others do not notice it more and always making a martyr of yourself. And once you have become that you will be a far greater pest to anyone who has to live with you than you would have been if you had remained selfish”
— CS Lewis
Reflection Moment
- Where is pride creeping into your life?
- In what ways do you put your own needs and desires over others?
- When do you find yourself judging others?
- How is God inviting you to give of yourself for the sake of others?
Action Steps
Prayerful Reflection
- Where is pride creeping into your life?
- In what ways do you put your own needs and desires over others?
- When do you find yourself judging others?
- How is God inviting you to give of yourself for the sake of others?
Practice
- Listen before you speak with someone
- Do something that normally doesn’t feel ‘worth your time’ out of love
- Apologize to someone
