Monday, August 24, 2015

Convicted…By Pride



“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”
-Jeremiah 17:9

It must be right. It meets all of the usual moral obligations. It:

  • ·         Doesn’t Go Against the Bible
  • ·         Could be Considered Ministry
  • ·         Makes People Feel Good
  • ·         Is Related to God
  • ·         Is Supported by Many

We check our version of this list when we begin to feel convicted about doing something. When decisions arrive or plans must be made, we act on our convictions concerning these things.

But we often forget at the same time to ask what we are convicted by.

You and I can be convicted as much by pride as we can be by righteous obedience to our Lord.

The sense of self-preservation and self-regard is strong in our sinful nature. In fact, it’s so integral to our lives that we often act for self-gain without even realizing it. In our everyday conversations, basic choices, and even our simplest preferences we show concern for ourselves before anything else.

Even in our relationships, our decisions and feelings are often based on what we want, what we think best, and what we find most suitable for ourselves. From the way we plan our schedules to our responses to those we love, it’s more often than not that our intentions are ultimately about our own gain.

From this place of “me first” we’re easily convicted by pride instead of by the Lord. Utterly convinced that our way is the right way or that we couldn’t have been wrong, we can easily be propelled far from God’s plan without ever realizing it.

It’s a harsh reality, but no less the truth.

Don’t allow your heart to deceive you. As you make decisions, big and small, ask yourself: am I fervently obeying my desires or the Lord? (CLICK TO TWEET)


This post is being shared on: #TestimonyTuesday, #RaRaLinkupIntentionally Pursuing,Titus2sday, and Thought-Provoking Thursday.

8 comments:

  1. It's so important to be sure we are living in submission and obedience to God. It's easy to get off track by our own reasoning. Thank you for this great reminder! Visiting from #RaRaLinkup

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your word that we "can be convicted as much by pride" gave me an aha moment in another application. Not meeting my standards can make me feel I've failed when God may be pleased with my attempt. That is another form of pride. So glad I was next to you today at Intentional Tues. link-up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Totally true, Debbie! Great point! Thanks for sharing : )

      Delete
  3. Visiting from RaRa Link-Up, awesome picture and great reminder how easily we can be caught up in self-protection rather than His direction...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Such an important question to ask. Thanks for the reminder to stop and ask it. :) Happy to be your neighbor at the Thought provoking Thursday linkup this morning. :)

    ReplyDelete