Pride

Paraguay team of 2008 went over this book called "Humility True Greatness" by CJ Mahaney. It is provided and led by Pastor Harold. Every night, we simply read a chapter together and afterwards, shared our thoughts on the reading. I feel like it was during that trip where I started to truly think about Godly humility. The book talks about how pride is our greatest enemy, and humility our greatest friend.

I like CJ Mahaney's description of pride: Pride is when sinful human beings aspire to the status and position of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependence upon Him. Throughout this particular chapter, he quotes many verses talking about how much God abhors pride. His hatred for pride is pure, and His hatred is holy. He actively opposes pride. Mahaney also quotes John Calvin saying, "God cannot bear with seeing his glory appropriated by the creature in even the smallest degree, so intolerable to him is the sacrilegious arrogance of those who, by praising themselves, obscure his glory as far as they can." Basically, pride is the most difficult sin to root out, and the most hidden, secret and deceitful of all lusts. Pride kills unity, which can ultimately divide a church.

Humility is so great in a sense that it is only through Godly humility that we can even come before God and acknowledge His existence and power. It's ironic because I think it was CS Lewis who claimed that the one who tries to be humble, is the most arrogant. It's because true humility comes from God, not from oneself. You can't just "try your best" to be humble. It should be an automatic response after the Holy Spirit illuminates the Gospel in your heart.

Anyway, I've been rambling. I just wanted to say, I'm rereading this book and I'm loving it. I recommend it to all of you! :)

-Simon