The Problem With Pride

Written By Betty Predmore

1 CORINTHIANS 2:6 - 3:4

(August 6)

According to the Oxford Dictionary, PRIDE is defined as a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired. WHEW!! That's a lot!

Pride can be a real problem. We can get caught up in thinking we "got it all going on" that we don't see how arrogant we appear, and how little wisdom we really have. Maybe our pride is self-serving, all about us and what we know or have done. Or perhaps our pride in our child is expressed in a way that glorifies them, rather than God.

No matter how the circumstances are, that line of thinking is spiritually immature.

The key to understanding the wisdom of God comes from knowing that no individual can understand that wisdom without the intervention of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit knows and understands the things of God because the Spirit IS God. Makes sense, right?

Paul is writing to the believers of Corinth, who are spiritually immature. This is obvious from the way they quarrel with each other and allow division amongst each other. Their thoughts are worldly, meaning they are controlled by their own desires, not the desires of God.

The spiritually immature (like these people in Corinth) lack the capacity to discern the truth, importance, or beauty of the things of God. They see these things as absurd. Because of this, many saw Paul as absurd. And while he placed value on self-judgement, constructive criticism, and church discipline, he also argued that believers themselves are ultimately accountable to God and only God, not to be judged by others with worldly minds. This is exactly what they were doing to him.

They were so caught up with getting all this wisdom that they followed leaders who weren't wise, leaders who wanted glory for themselves instead of glorifying God. In Paul's opinion, true spirituality does not lead to haughty attitudes, but to a deeper understanding of the power of God.

What about us? Are we operating out of spiritual immaturity, seeking wisdom from everywhere but God? Or are we exercising our mature spirits and seeking Godly wisdom in our lives?

Only by looking to God as our source of wisdom can we overcome the problems caused by pride.

Betty Predmore

Betty Predmore is a writer, blogger, speaker and ministry leaders. She is the founder of Mom-Sense, Inc., a ministry designed for mentorship, connection and service to women of all life circumstances. Through this ministry, women are encouraged and supported with scripture and life application. Mom-Sense helps women overcome life struggles through small group classes with biblical curriculum, individual counseling, bible studies, and other areas of support.

Betty also directs the Imperial Valley Life Center, which is a non-profit faith-based pro life women’s resource center. She has a passion for saving the unborn and supporting mothers through pregnancy and motherhood.

Betty loves to speak at events, sharing the love of Jesus with other women. She does this through practical life application mingled with God’s word, and sprinkled with humor. Having experienced a broken home, divorce, abuse, grief, single motherhood, blended families, and adoption, she uses the broken places and movement of God in her own life to share His word in an inspiring way. She enjoys sharing her blogs on social media as a way of reaching out on a broader spectrum. Betty has many speaking topics which can be found on her website: www.bettypredmore.com

As an author, she has had the opportunity to impact women and reach deep into their hearts with her words of inspiration and encouragement. Through Pondering Virtue and Whispered Grace, she has created wonderful tools for the woman who is seeking direction in her spiritual walk.

Betty serves on the writing team of A Wife Like Me, and is also a contributor to Moms Encouraging Moms and Gift of Thorns. Her blogs have appeared in several magazine publications throughout the years including Southern Faith Magazine, Purposeful Life, and Aspiring Woman Magazine.

While Betty thrives on her ministry opportunities, her greatest blessings come from being a wife to Jim and a mama to their wonderful collection of children, who bring joy, laughter, and an occasional tear to her days.


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