It's An Abomination!!!
- May 15, 2018
- 3 min read
It's an abomination! There's no way around it. Scripture is absolutely clear on this. Regardless of what you think or believe, the truth is the truth. I'm not exactly sure just how bad an "abomination" is, but from what I read in Scripture it is a serious offense. So, I think we have to talk about it. We can't simply ignore it and expect it to go away. "Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished" (Proverbs 16:5 - NKJV). There it is, I said it. I'm glad I got that off my chest. I know, I know, we don't go around quoting this one do we? But there it is in black and white. Those who have pride in their heart are an abomination. I know, it's a tough pill to swallow but we sure don't have trouble force feeding this same pill to certain others who commit other "abominations."
Pride is a tough one. It often lies deep in our hearts unnoticed by those who carry it. Oh, but it is so blatantly obvious to all those around us. It's like a tattoo painted on our forehead unseen by us but easily seen by everyone around us. It's hard to address because a prideful person is rarely a teachable person. They are convinced they've got it all together when in reality they are moments from it all falling apart. Show me a prideful person who refuses counsel and I'll show you a person who is destined for destruction. After all, God, the Creator of the Universe, Himself opposes them. Now, I don't particularly like it when anyone opposes me, but I'm thinking if God opposes me that would be the worse case scenario ever!!! That would be like rowing a boat upstream without a paddle, with a gaping hole in the bottom, in the middle of a hurricane, in water infested with crocodiles, snakes, piranhas, and a flesh eating virus. Oh, did I mention the 150 foot waterfall with jagged rocks and hungry bears waiting at the bottom?
It is true that God loves us, but it is equally true that He opposes the proud. "...“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (I Peter 5:5). Pride has no place in the heart of a follower of Jesus. No, I didn't say we would never have issues with it, but we should never allow it to take root in our hearts. I am personally on the lookout for this sneaky, slimy, enemy constantly. I don't ever want it to take up residence in my heart. There was a time in my life when I was extremely prideful and arrogant. To be honest when I look back at that person I once was, I can catch a glimpse of just what an "abomination" is. If I was to encounter that guy today, I couldn't stand him. I would be completely repelled by him. Thanks to the grace and mercy of God that guy is no longer around today.
Still, there are moments when I struggle with this thing called pride because it is always standing at the door looking for a place to get its foot in. Through the course of my life I've learned an important key and that is to allow the Holy Spirit access to the corridors of my heart. I'll ask Him questions like, "Do I have pride in that area?" Was my motive in that matter a prideful one? Do I have pride in my heart? Trust me, He answers clearly! He hates pride. It's an abomination to Him. If His child wants to get rid of that spiritual cancer, He is there to help eradicate it.
I'm not exactly sure just how bad an "abomination" is but I do know its something we should try desperately to steer clear of. God has instructed us in His Word that this thing called pride is an extremely destructive force. "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18). So, knowing that pride is an abomination to God, that God resists the proud, and that pride leads to destruction wouldn't it seem prudent to deal with any resemblance of pride in our hearts? It's a no-brainer! Unless the promise of certain destruction and the idea of God opposing you appeals to you, then by all means stay the course. As for me, I'm taking the other route. A route where I choose to humble myself rather than one that leads to utter humiliation.
Tim is the lead pastor at Westlake Fellowship in Montgomery, Texas. If you live in the area, join us Sunday mornings at 10:30 am at 19786 Hwy 105 Suite 120 in Montgomery (beside Magnolia Diner).
For more on this topic of pride, watch the video below:
Be sure to pick up Tim's book, "Yep Even That One" available now on Amazon
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