I was very humbled pondering upon this quote. Thanks June for passing it on!
“Pure Christian humility is silent about the sins of others, or speaks of them with grief and pity. The spiritually proud person finds fault with other saints for their lack of progress in grace, while the humble Christian sees so much evil in his own heart, and is so concerned about it, that he is not apt to be very busy with other hearts.
One under the influence of spiritual pride is more apt to instruct others than to ask questions. Such a person naturally puts on the airs of a master. The eminently humble Christian thinks he needs help from everybody, whereas the spiritually proud person thinks everybody needs his help. Christian humilty entreats and beseeches, spiritual pride commands and warns with authority.”
~Jonathon Edwards
41 Evidences of Pride - Great questions to evaluate pride in our lives. Here are a few that struck a cord in my heart, and I wrote them out in first person, addressing myself:
- Do I have a judgmental spirit towards those who don’t make the same lifestyle choices/standards (dress standards, how you school your kids, etc)?
- Am I quick to find fault with others or verbalize it? What about before my husband or family? Do I speak openly about others in a negative light before them?
- Am I proud of the schedule I keep, how disciplined I am, or how much I am able to accomplish? How often do I exalt my gifts above others?
-Do I frequently interrupt people when they are speaking?
- Do I talk about myself too much? I realize I can take my excitement about something (new I am learning, doing, etc). and just talk about it, which is in reality just talking about me!
I confess…I have fallen in this area and by God’s grace I thank Him for pointing me to this quote and questions. So valuable in checking our hearts.
Thank you for this article. I have found one of satan’s greatest stragagies is just when we think we are not proud. We become proud because we’re not proud. A false humility. Our hearts are so fickle and can cause so much deception even to our very selves. I’m reminded of Apostle Peter so sure of himself saying “Lord I would never deny you” he thought himself to have arrived.
So thankful for the scripture that says….. “God is Greater than our Hearts” our hearts have many chambers and inside of those chambers sin, pride, deception and many evils lurk. I suppose this is why David prayed…..”create in me a clean heart O’Lord and renew a right spirit within.
Jeremiah reminds us the heart is a den of evil, deceptive he asks “who can know it?”
Thank you again Lindsay for this article, many applied to my own heart.
dodi / SC
I just found this website through a friend. I am enjoying going back through past entries. Your openess about your own struggles with sin are so encouraging to me. I feel like every day I struggle with sin and being able to read that another sister in Christ is going through the same thing is so helpful. PRIDE….after reading those questions I realize I am very proud. Father forgive me and keep humbling me!
Oh my!! I read the 41 Evidences of Pride last night. I fell to my face asking the Lord to forgive me for all the Pride that I have. (and didn’t realize) Praise goes to the Heavenly Father for revealing these sins that I have.. Thank you Lindsay for posting this and for being honest.
In the past, I’ve found it so mentally and spiritually exhausting to be fretting over other people’s faults. I have enough concerns over my own sinful blindness! How freeing to know my savior’s sacrifice was enough for us all. “He who is without sin,let him cast the first stone”, Jesus appropriately said to the spiritually proud, like me! Thanks for sharing your heart Lindsay and a great quote!
My husband just discovered your blog ans he was over welmed…”what a fantastic blog, this young women is incredible! I put this blog in my favourites!”
So you see, just go on sharing your enthousiasme!!
Oh how I struggle in these areas. Sometimes I just get so wrapped up in what I’m doing and I think the way I do things is the “best” way. Thank you Lord for your mercy and grace!
What an excellent quote- I agree, it’s quite humbling and convicting. I also struggle in this area- you are not alone in the slightest. Thanks for being real.