PRIDE, A KILLER OF THE SOUL!
by Perry Sexton
There are certain weapons in the arsenal of Satan that are especially dangerous to man and "pride" is certainly one such weapon. One can be affected by it unknowingly, whereas one knows when he is guilty of fornication, lying, stealing, etc. However, one may not realize (or refuse to realize) that he is lifted up with pride.
Notice how God views the proud: "These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: a proud look...." (Prov. 6:16-19). The proud head the list of those reprobates. James informs us that "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble" (James 4:6). Consider these warnings: "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall" (Prov. 16:18). "Woe to the crown of pride...." (Isa. 28:1). Consider Nebuchadnezzar, "But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him" (Dan. 5:20). When Eve saw that the tree was "to be desired to make one wise" (Gen. 3:6), she was acting out of pride. This is something that we all must guard against wholeheartedly because we all are faced with and tempted by "the pride of life" (I John 2:16) a very deadly force from the devil.
Pride is able to deceive (Oba. 1:3). Far too many people, in and out of the church, are deceived by pride. They think they are right and cannot be wrong; think they are saved and cannot be lost, etc. I have had people say to me: "I don't care how many Scriptures you show me, you cannot change me" and "I don't need to study" or "You cannot teach me anything," etc. I believe such are lifted up with pride and do not even realize it. Many are too proud to be taught; too proud to change; too proud to admit wrong; too proud to confess sin and too proud to go to Heaven. As a matter of fact, one cannot even enter into the church while lifted up with pride. Jesus said, "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18:3). As God's people, we must be humble in His sight for, "Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not go unpunished" (Prov. 16:5).
Beloved brethren, let us not be destroyed by pride, yea, rather be humble, teachable, and changeable that we may truly "shine as lights in the world" (Phil. 2:15) and in that great day "shine forth as the sun" (Matt. 13:43). Heaven is simply to grand to miss because of a silly thing called pride. Let it not be so. ♥
Has It Come To This In The Church of Our Lord???
by Perry Sexton
Recently, in a conversation with a Catholic, I was reminded of how the members of the Catholic Church depend on "the church" to interpret the Bible for them. Of course, it is not only in the Catholic Church, but in the denominations as well that the members depend on their "Pastors" for Bible interpretation. Sadly, even some in the church of our Lord do the same. This is not right! Everyone has the responsibility to study for themselves (John 6:45; II Tim. 2:15; II Pet. 3:18). We should be as those noble Bereans in that they "searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11), proving all things (I Thess. 5:21) with a "thus saith the LORD."
But some men in their desire for preeminence deceive people into believing that we must hear them! The council of Nicea for example, and others who uphold the writings of men more than the Bible. Some use scare tactics such as you will go "into darkness" if you stop reading certain books of men, etc. Others use more subtle tactics (academic degrees and the comfort of numbers, etc.) and gullible people, even among us fall for it.
Brethren, I pray that you are not among those who accept doctrinal positions without demanding book, chapter, and verse. But there are those among us who, evidently, expect us to accept their word without any Bible whatsoever! One brother wrote to me and said, "If you will not accept my answer I see no further profit in our continuing a correspondence." This brother used not one verse for his answer to my question. I wrote him back with more good supporting questions (which he cannot deny they are good), but I do not expect to hear from him, at least directly. I also wrote to another brother, an associate of the first, but out of two letters I could not get him to give a straight answer nor to use one verse in support of their position. Brethren, this is shameful! It is not as gospel preachers should be. Do they expect us to take their word without any Bible??? ♥
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