The Terrible Sin of Pride, Part II
By Mike Kurtz
Yesterday we saw how pride can cause a person to pursue fame, fortune, admiration, respect, and the like. Pride is a powerful motivator for the ambitious, and if not kept in check, can actually feed pride as one increases in those pursuits. Today, though, I want to look at the opposite effect of pride; that is, how pride can paralyze a person rather than drive a person.
We are all probably familiar with the story of Moses and his encounter with God at the burning bush. There God asked Moses to lead his people out of Egyptian exile. That would, of course, include speaking the words of God to the ruler of Egypt. Let’s pick up the account after God has instructed Moses what he is to do. Read Exodus 5:10-14.
Now most if not all of us can relate to Moses apprehension. I don’t know anyone who feels comfortable or confident speaking in front of people, even more the ruler of the most powerful nation in the world at that time. What is Moses’ problem? Of course, it is pride. He was too proud to fail. He was too proud to appear foolish, too proud to be less than his pride demanded. His pride paralyzed him and prevented him from doing what God was asking of him. You see, while pride can drive a person to seek stardom, it can also drive him to hide chinks in his armor. We all play this game of hide and seek. We all hide our weaknesses and seek to highlight our strengths. It’s the terrible sin of pride that keeps us from trusting God and getting out of His way.
What did God say to Moses at his first complaint? He said: “Who has made man’s mouth. Or who makes him dumb or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?” (Ex. 4:11) God appeals to himself. Pride appeals to ourselves. God says, “I am the one who made you; is there nothing I can’t accomplish through my creation if want?” I can speak for myself, I do not like to try things I am not good at. I do not like to look like a fool. And so I will practice and practice before I make a public attempt. Why? Because I am too proud to fail. I am even too proud to be average. Pride has the very subtle power to hold us back from trusting God. Thus it prevents us from becoming used by God and being transformed to become all that we were meant to be.
How about you? Are you too proud to be average? Are you too proud to look foolish in the hands of God? Are you too proud to “fail” in your own eyes? Don’t let pride paralyze you. Remember, your Creator can do anything through His creation. So swallow your pride and trust Him.
