- With pride, the symptoms at first are almost unnoticeable. If we ignore it, it will continue to mulitply until everyone can see the cancerous pride that we have allowed to consume us. Either we deal with it by asking God to show us the root of the problem, or we can treat these problems as insignificant.
- Each of us has gifts and abilities that God has placed within us, and an honest estimation of our gifts is necessary if we are to develop these talents. However, it is a dangerous form of pride that causes us to take credit for the gifts God has given us. Do not steal glory from God.
- If we are not using our abilities to bring blessing to others, then we are misusing the abilties God has given us.
- Self-centered pride feeds a desire to be served and to be noticed.
- When we can gladly be spent in the service of others without any concern as to how others should serve us, then we have become free from the bondage of self-centeredness.
- The pride which is in demanding hearts is revealed because they constantly bring attention to the things that have not been done for them, rather than the things that have been done for them.
- Everything outside of hell is grace. It is a fact we must come to realise and acknowledge.
- Romans 12:16 - Pride causes us to feel we are more important than others.
- Our pride tells us that we possess more truth and knowledge of God and therefore are more spiritual than other people.
- Is a refugee less important than an accountant? If we each cost God the same price, dare we think we are any more worthy than others?
- Do not show partiality, rather, love everyone with the love of Christ.
- Sarcasm is a thinly veiled attempt to impress people by highlighting the faults of others. It is humour at the expense of another person.
- Jesus never used sarcasm when dealing with His disciples. He spoke directly, yet respectfully, to the person involved.
- Ephesians 4:29-32 - Forgive one another.
- Proud people are critical and judgmental.
- By being impatient we are implying that our ideas, projects, programmes and schedules are more important than people. We should, instead, use these instances to check the attitudes of our hearts. The other person may be at fault for being late, but we are responsible for the way we react to them.
- We are to forgive those who make us wait.
- When people provide suggestions or tips to improve, they are able to see things from a perspective one might not have noticed.
- Envy and greed stem from a belief that we have a right to more than we presently have.
- Jesus explicitly tells us not to put our trust in material things.
- Instead of focusing on and being content with what we have, we will constantly be lusting after those things we do not have.
- It is easy to become hardhearted when we do not forgive those that persecute us.
- Forgiveness is a powerful force.
- The more mature we become in the Lord, the more we welcome the input and correction of others. Otherwise, we have and would become unteachable.
- By refusing to consider what others have said, or by reacting negatively to them, we miss out on what God wants to teach us.
- There are times we must follow God even if that means not pleasing others.
- By trying to please people and live up to their expectations of us, we can easily fall into a false form of spirituality. We find doing God-pleasing things in a bid to impress others. We become more interested in how we look to others than how we look to God.
- Compliment is to sincerely praise, flattery usually has an ulterior motive.
- When we receive flattery, we need to be honest with the person. Tell them that you did not like it when another's weaknesses is mentioned.
- Self-pity is a direct result of failing to turn our problems over to the Lord, instead clinging to our hurts, frustrations and disappointments.
- Thought patterns of self-pity are easily established when we are disappointed or depressed.
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