Many Christians look down on non-Christians. Many saved looked down on those who struggle with "dirty" sins. But like the older brother in the prodigal son story we must be careful not to become too critical. The moment we reject the prodigals with a superiority spirit - is the moment we become just like them - a prodigal being disobedient to the father.
This superiority spirit is always comparing always competitive. The moment it feels inferior it tries to come up with some reason that its better. "He may have gotten a raise, but I work harder." "She may be prettier but I'm smarter."
Jesus says it here, Peter says it in I Peter 5 and Paul says it in Ephesians 4 and James says it in James 4 - "Humble yourself." It is a choice to put our eyes on the creator not self. Pride in reality is a mode of defense. Like Peter on the water took his eyes off Jesus and then started to question himself. That is where all pride starts - our eyes are off Jesus and on self. Pride comes to pat us on the back for what we've done or achieved. Peter fell in the water but imagine if he had looked away from Jesus on the sea and yet managed to walk on water. His pride and ego would have gone through the roof. No wonder Jesus let him sink. No wonder he lets us!
All pride begins with eyes off Jesus and on self. That is where we begin to compare instead of worship. Worship is the antidote to pride. When our eyes are on self we become "confident of our own righteousness." True CONFIdence comes from confiding in the Lord. Psalms 25:14 says, "the Lord confides in those who fear him." Fearing God is worship. When we fear something we are like the lowly tax collector here - a true worshiper.
If we fear our image being inferior we will worship our image which is basically what pride is. That's why pride is a defense. It is always defending self from the fear of inferiority. When we have to one-up others, compare or let ourselves feel inferior at another's success we are in reaction mode. The fear of the Lord keeps our eyes on Jesus so we don't end up with eyes on self. When our eyes are on self - we'll always land on fear because deep down we know on our own we are inferior. Those with their eyes on Jesus are not relying on self in the first place.
Notice the tax collector approaches in fear as he has humbled himself but leaves confident just as Psalms 25:14 promises. His confidence was not in self-righteousness but in the cleansing of the Lord. He humbled himself simply by looking at the truth. It will set you free. Even if the self-righteous Pharisee was pretty religious he is not a self-made man. As Paul says in Romans 12, "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in ACCORDANCE WITH THE MEASURE OF FAITH GOD HAS GIVEN YOU.
(Romans 12:3)
Even when we have reason to be proud - where did the faith come from to do what God set before us? I heard a preacher once criticize the beggars in this area who stand on the on-ramps. Knowing this preacher made it difficult to keep my mouth shut as I wanted to rebuke him. He was in his 30's and still receiving quite large hand outs from his parents. He saw himself as superior but his blessings were "given to him." In reality everything we think we have a right to be proud about - is simply God's grace. That is the truth that will set us free from pride and free to worship.
We deserve nothing we have. There are people who have worked twice as hard and received twice as little. What is the difference - not us - but the greatness of our Father! Oh Pharisees turn your eyes upon Jesus - look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth (self) will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.
questions
1) Do you find yourself often thinking thoughts of superiority? Comparing yourself?
2) What are ways you can choose to humble your thoughts and actions?
3) Who is someone you typically look down on? Why? What is the Father's heart for this person?
prayer
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