How Proud Am I!

I went to the NANC conference last week at our church. My biggest takeaway was probably an excellent talk given by Stuart Scott on "Pride to Humility." I am pretty sure that most of our sin comes from pride. At the end of the session, he pointed us to his notes. I have copied them here for you. It's sort of a "pride test." I have not necessarily rated myself per the legend. But I really have taken time to consider the characteristics of pride on there, to which I can most relate. And it's been really good to search my heart and lay it bare before the Lord on this. More, it's been good to confess areas of my sin tendencies here, and ask God to change my heart! It takes a bit of time, but it's definitely worth taking a look. So, here you go!

Dr. Stuart W. Scott

Manifestations of Pride

Definition of Pride:

The mindset of self (a master's mlndset rather than that

of a servant): a focus on self and the service' of self, a pursuit of selfrecognition

and self-exaltation and a desire to control and use all things for

self.

Please rate the following statements of manifestations of pride in your life using

the following scale:

o - This is not an issue in my life;

1 - This is seldom an issue;

2 - This is sometimes an issue;

3 - This is often an issue;

4 - This is a major issue;

5 - This is a life-dominating issue in my life.

__ Complaining against or passing judgment on God. A proud person in

a difficult situation thinks, "Look what God has done to me after all I have done

for Him" (Numbers 14:1-4, 9, 11; Romans 9:20). Perhaps we I do this passively,

in the form of apathy as well.

__ A lack of gratitude in general. Proud people usually think they deserve

what is good. The result is, they see no reason to be thankful for what they

receive. As a matter of fact, they may even complain because they think they

deserve better. They tend to be critical, complaining and discontent. The proud

person is not in the practice of being thankful toward God or others (2 Chronicles

32:25; Rom 1:21).

__ Anger. A proud person is often an angry person. One's anger can include

outburst of anger, withdrawing, pouting, or frustration. Another word for anger is

moodiness. An angry look has been called "silent murder." People are often

afraid of you (walk on "eggshells" around you). A person most often becomes

angry because his "rights" or expectations are not being met (Matthew 20: 1-16).

__ Seeing yourself as better than others. A proud person is usually on top

looking down on others. He might compare others to himself in his strengths and

overlook his weaknesses. He gets easily disgusted and has little tolerance for

differences (Luke 7:36-50).

__ Having an inflated view of your importance, gifts, and abilities. Many

proud people have a very wrong perception of themselves. They are a legend

(or Cinderella) in their own mind, but what they really need is a loving dose of

reality. They need to hear, "What do you have that God didn't give you?" (1

Corinthians 4:7)

__ Being focused on the lack of your gifts' and abilities. Some proud

people may not come across proud at all because they are always down on

themselves. This is still evidence of pride because one is focused on self and

wants self to be elevated or significant. Having a "woe is me" attitude is self-pity,

which is pride (1 Corinthians 12:14-25).

__ Perfectionism. People who strive for everything to be perfect often do so

for recognition. They may do it so they can feel good about themselves.

Whatever the reason, this behavior is very self-serving and proud. The basic

problem is making things that are less important more important

(Matthew 23:24-28).

__Talking too much. Proud people who talk too much often do it because

they think that what they have to say is more important than what anyone else

has to say. When there are many words, sin in generally unavoidable (Proverbs

10:19).

__ Talking too much about yourself. A person who is proud may center on

themselves in conversation. Sharing personal accomplishments and good

personal qualities with others can be bragging or boasting (Proverbs 27:2;

Galatians 6:3).

__ Seeking independence or control. Some proud people find it extremely

difficult to work under someone else or to submit to an authority. They have to

be their own boss. They might say, "I don't need anyone" or "I don't need

accountability for my faith and doctrine." They are often rigid, stubborn,

headstrong, unapproachable, unwinsome and intimidating. They only have "yes"

people around them - often afraid of honest feedback. They may also say, "It's

my way or not" (1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Ephesians 5:21).

__ Being consumed with what others think. Some proud people are too

concerned about the opinion of others. Many of their decisions are based on

what others might think. Some are in a continual pursuit of gaining the approval

and esteem of others. Focusing on what others think of you or trying to impress

or just be on a peer level with others is being a man-pleaser rather than a Godpleaser

(Galatians 1:10).

__ Being discouraged, devastated or angered by criticism. Proud people usually struggle a great deal with criticism. Such people cannot bear that they are not perfect or have weaknesses because they cannot accept who they really are (Proverbs 13: 1).

__ Being unteachable and unapproachable. Many proud individuals think

they know it all and act superior. They can't seem to learn anything from

someone else. They respect no one, are stubborn and headstrong (Proverbs

19:20; John 8:13-34).

__ Being sarcastic, hurtful, or degrading. Proud people can be very

unkind people. Those who belittle other people usually want to raise themselves

up above others. Very often this can be quite cleverly done through jesting.

They may excuse themselves by saying, "That's just the way I am. That's my

personality" (Proverbs 12:18, 23).

__ A lack of service. Proud people may not serve because they are not

thinking of others, or because they want to be coaxed to serve and don't want to

continue if there is no praise. Needing recognition is a sure sign of the wrong

motives in service (Galatians 5: 13; Ephesians 2: 10).

__ A lack of compassion. A person who is proud is rarely concerned for

others and their concerns. He cannot see beyond his own desires (Matthew 5:7;

18:23-35).

__Being defensive or blame shifting. You will often hear a proud person

say, "Are you saying it's my fault?" or "Well, what about you?" He tries to

explain away or justify his sin (or being wrong about anything) (Genesis 3:12-13;

Proverbs 12:1).

__ A lack of admitting when you are wrong. A proud person will make a

great many excuses such as "I was tired" or "I was having a bad day" (Proverbs

10: 17).

__ A lack of asking forgiveness. Proud people rarely admit their sin or ask

for forgiveness of others. They either cannot see their sin because they are

blinded by their pride, or they just can't seem to humble themselves before

someone else and ask forgiveness (Matthew 5:23-24).

__ Resisting authority or being disrespectful. A proud person may detest

being told what to do. We might say he or she has a submission problem. What

he or she actually has, however, is a pride problem. It is simply displaying itself

in a lack of submission (1 Peter 2:13-17).

__ Voicing preferences or opinions when not asked. A proud person

might not be able to keep his preferences or opinions to himself. He will offer it

when it is not asked for. These preferences are usually voiced without

consideration for others (Philippians 2:1-4).

__ Minimizing your own sin and shortcomings. Proud people typically

believe that their sin is no big deal. They think they have a little sin and others

have a great deal of it (Matthew 7:3-5).

__ Maximizing others' sin and shortcomings. To the proud person, other

people are the problem. They may magnify or bring attention to the sin of others

by gossiping about the other's sin (Matthew 7:3-5; Luke 18:9-14).

__ Being impatient or irritable with others. A proud person might be angry

with other people because they are concerned that their own schedule or plans

are being ruined. They are often inflexible on preference issues (Ephesians

4:31-32).

__ Being jealous or envious. Often when they do not enjoy the same

benefits, proud people have a hard time being glad for others' successes or

blessings. They are discontented when their lot is not as favorable as another's

(1 Corinthians 13:4).

__ Using others. The proud person usually views others in terms of what

those people can do for him and his interests. His focus is not on ministering to

others. Everything is for him and about him (Matthew 7:12; Philippians 2:3-4).

__ Being deceitful (pretending to be perfect) by covering up sins, faults,

and mistakes. Some proud people will do just about anything in order for others

not to find out negative things about them (Proverbs 11:3; 28: 13)

__ Using attention-getting tactics. Proud people may try to draw attention

to themselves through dress, bizarre behavior, being rebellious, always talking

about their problems, etc. (1 Peter 3:3-4)

__ Not having close relationship. Proud people often have no use for close

relationships, thinking that the trouble outweighs the benefits. They may see

themselves as so self-sufficient that they do not need other people. If they are

into self-pity, they might be fearful and intimidated for intimacy in relationships

(Proverbs 18: 1-2; Hebrews 10:24-25).

Manifestations of Humility

Definition of Humility: The mindset of Christ (a servant's mindset): a focus

on God and others, a pursuit of the recognition and the exaltation of God,

and a desire to glorify and please God in all things and by all things He has

given.

Please rate the following statements of manifestations of humility which describe

your life using the following scale:

a - This aspect of humility is not present in my life at this time;

1 - This aspect of humility is seldom present in my life at this time;

2 - This aspect of humility is sometimes present in my life at this time;

3 - This aspect of humility is often present in my life at this time;

4 - This aspect of humility is regularly present in my life at this time;

5 - This aspect of humility is predominately present in my life at this time;

__ Recognizing and trusting God's character. A humble person

acknowledges Who God is and rehearses God's character often. Because he

does this, he trusts God much more than the proud person. In trials, he will even

thank God for the reminder of how much he needs Him and for all the good He is

doing through the trial (Psalm 119:66).

__ Seeing yourself as having no right to question or judge an Almighty

and Perfect God. A humble man thinks of God as his creator and himself as

God's creation. He does not see himself as even remotely qualified to pass

judgment on God or what God does. He knows that his perfect and all-wise God

can do whatever He pleases, and it will be the best for him (Psalm 145: 17;

Romans 9:19-23).

__ Focusing on Christ. The humble see Christ as their life and their first

love. There is no other thing or person that they must have. Through the day

they talk to and worship Him often (Philippians 1:21; Hebrews 12:1-12).

__ Biblical praying and a great deal of it. Humble people want to worship

God and they see themselves as totally dependent on God for His enablement.

John Owen once said, 'We can have no power from Christ unless we live in a

persuasion that we have none of our own." Because they see themselves as

needy, they pray often (1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Timothy 2:1-2).

__ Being overwhelmed with God's undeserved grace and goodness.

The humble person sees himself as truly deserving of hell. He is immensely

grateful to God for forgiving him of so much (Psalm 116: 12-19).

__ Being thankful and grateful in general toward others. Humble people

thank God and others often. They expect nothing, so an>1hing that is received is

greatly appreciated (1 Thessalonians 5: 18).

__ Being gentle and patient. Humble people want to act like God, and they

are not focused on what they want. They also want to love others the way God

loves them. They are willing to wait and are not easily irritated (Colossians 3: 12-

14).

__Seeing yourself as no better than others. A humble person

understands the sinfulness of his own heart. He would never see himself as

better than others. This is true no matter who the other person is. He

understands that he, in and of himself, is capable of the worst sin. He agrees

with John Bradford who said, "but for the grace of God, there I go" (Romans

12:16; Ephesians 3:8).

__ Having an accurate view of your gifts and abilities. Humble people do

not bemoan the fact that they are not as gifted as others. Neither do they

exaggerate their own abilities (Romans 12:3).

__ Being a good listener. Humble people consider what others have to say

as more important than what they have to say. They take an interest in others by

asking questions and listening. Self is not their primary focus (James 1:19;

Philippians 2:3-4).

__ Talking about others only if it is good or for their good. A humble

person will speak well of others, not negatively. He will convey something

negative about someone only if he must do so in order to help that person

(Proverbs 11:13).

__ Being gladly submissive and obedient to those in authority. Humble

people are first of all obedient to God, and then the authorities over them

(Romans 12: 1-2; 13: 1-2).

__ Preferring others over yourself. Humble people are willing to put others

before themselves without first considering their own rights (Romans 12:10).

__ Being thankful for criticism or reproof. Humble people view reproof as

good for them and consider that God may be trying to teach them something

(Proverbs 9:8; 27:5-6).

__ Having a teachable spirit. Humble people realize they don't know

everything, and even when they think they are right they are willing to consider

that they might be wrong (1 Corinthians 4:7). They also know that God can use

anyone to teach them, since He was even able to use a donkey to teach Nalaam

in Numbers 22:22-35. They have many people they admire and respect.

..'

__ Seeking always to build up others. Humble people encourage others.

They use only words that build up and say what 1snecessary for the edification of

others. They never cut others down (Ephesians 4:29).

__ Serving. Humble people are on the lookout for ways to serve and assist

others. They are the first to volunteer for jobs no one else wants. They take the

initiative to reach out and serve others (Galatians 5:13).

__ A quickness in admitting when you are wrong. Humble people have no

problem with saying, "I was wrong. You are right. Thank you for telling me"

(Proverbs 29:23).

__ A quickness in granting and asking for forgiveness. Humble people

are eager to forgive because they know how much they have been forgiven.

They have no trouble asking for forgiveness because they want to be

peacemakers (Colossians 3: 12-14).

__ Repenting of sin as a way of life. A humble person asks God daily for

forgiveness and works toward real change (1 John 1:9; 1 Timothy 4:7-9).

__ Minimizing others' sins or shortcomings in comparison to your own.

A humble person thinks about his own sin more often than another's sin. He also

sees his own sin as more important to deal with than the sin of others (Matthew

7:3-4).

__ Being genuinely glad for others. Humble people rejoice with others

when good things happen because they are aware that God has blessed them

immeasurably and they trust God for what they do not have (Romans 12: 15).

__ Being honest and open about who they are and the areas in which

they need growth. Humble people are open and honest about their growth in

the Lord. They ask for help and accountability in the repentance process,

knowing they need their brothers and sisters (Philippians 3:12-14; Galatians 6:2).

__ Possessing close relationship. Humble people have friends and loved

ones because they are friendly and love others. They are willing to ask for help

with various burdens and problems they may have (Acts 20:31-38