Episode 85 - Stephanie takes us on a stroll through Proverbs to uncover the meaning, reach, and dangers of pride. Proverbs, alongside all of Scripture, teach "grace to the humble, but justice to the proud." Is that good news? Is justice what we seek? Or, do we desperately need grace?

We focus on pride. What is it? How does it manifest itself? How can we avoid it? Good pride, bad pride... how do we know the difference? This episode challenges us to see that anything short of begging for grace is sheer folly. So, what does it mean? 

The previous episode in our current series on Proverbs (episode 84) focused on the topic of fear. Stephanie explains that fear is rooted in a deflated view of God, but that pride is always rooted in an inflated view of Self. Oswald Chambers said, "pride is the deification of self." So, we travel down time lane and look at two of the most infamous examples of pride: first Satan; then, Adam and Eve. And then a more recent one: ourselves. 

Stephanie introduces us to two French words that both mean "pride" in English... with a level of nuance that will help you understand how to differentiate "good" pride and "bad" pride. Consequently, we look at human glory as always stemming from spiritual pride. 

We discover that we have a choice: will we embrace a life of pride, or one of humility? Of justice, or of grace? Of Self, or of Christ? The choice is ours. The consequences of our choice are not. Ultimately, our choice is informed by our view of Christ. Who is He to us, truly? Not as we would perfectly recite in Sunday Class, but as He is in the middle of the night, when the walls are closing in and there seems to be nothing but darkness. Who then is Christ truly to us? This, will define our choice to trust Him, or to reject Him in our actions--if not out words.

The choice is ours. Its consequences are not.

Finally, we end with the proper place of pride in the life of the sold-out believer. Again, it is rooted in who we believe God is, and who we believe we are in His eyes. We turn to Jesus as our role-model: how did He embrace pride and humility? What does it tell us of His heart for us? What does it tell us of His trustworthiness? Stephanie calls us to boldly enter the Throne Room, on our knees.

 

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