A Healthy dose of pride

​Romans 12:3
"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you."

Perhaps the root of contention and strife among Christians is due to 'Pride'. The type of 'Pride' I am speaking about is the one that makes a person conceited. Pride causes strife, arguments, rivalry, jealousy, and along with that comes envy. It's a package deal.

Proud people are conceited people, and what will always follow them is contention. The atmosphere of conflict  (heated disagreements) surrounds them because they want to always be on top, and listened to, and acknowledged, and affirmed. No one else can shine around them. No one else is as important, talented, knowledgable or worthy in their eyes. Imagine the problems that can engulf a church when this is present in the midst.

Proverbs 13:10 tells us that, "Only by pride cometh contention." We cannot thrive healthily together as believers with this permeating the atmosphere. 

The detriment of thinking too much of ourselves allows jealousy and envy to take over our hearts. When that happens, all hell brakes loose! Our flesh doesn't just stop there! The devil loves to work with 'Pride'. He uses it to cause division, and strife. He pits us against each other which then can make us speak evil against our brother or sister.

We all need a healthy dose of self esteem. There is nothing wrong with acknowledging our God given skill and potential. We need that in order to step out in faith and accomplish what God has given us to do on His behalf. However, when things get to the point where we can't handle the skill and potential of others, we are now in trouble. Pride has taken over.

It happens to the best of us at times. It creeps in when we least expect it. The negative aspect of pride can also come in when we have achieved certain goals or have gained greater possessions.

There is also a flip side to 'Pride'. Its the 'Woe Is Me' spirit and attitude. A person who has the tendency to draw attention to the helpless situation they're in, places way too much emphasis on 'Self'. It gains them more than the healthy attention  they need.

Don't let your head become too heavy to carry! God has a way of deflating it. What He uses to humble us , if need be, will cost us in the end.