Many have turned
from one type of work
to another.
For some, that new work is
self-aggrandizement.
They work to build
the pride of self.
To be fair, I totally understand the desire for those who have been (and are being) systematically oppressed to want to find ways to feel better. For generations, many have been told (both consciously and subconsciously) that they are inherently inferior and must keep complaints silent for the very mention of valid concerns brings about hostility from oppressors.
Is it surprising that such people would want to address pains? Of course people who have been told to feel ashamed about their possible heritage, their shade of skin, or ethnicity would want to heal from the physical, psychological, economical, and social damage.
To learn of one's past is not unreasonable. Unfortunately, many have gone from the pursuit of awareness and acceptance to the eternally fatal territory of exaltation (pride).
The very point of the biblical message of salvation is that it can never bring about pride because salvation is strictly and solely on what Jesus accomplished.
Plainly, it's not about you! The opportunity for salvation is exclusively the result of the work of Christ.
Being connected to ANYTHING promoting "pride"
SHOULD BE
a flashing warning to sincere followers of the teachings of Scripture.
Proverbs 8:13
“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.”
Proverbs 6:16, 17
"These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood..."
James 4:6
"These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood..."
James 4:6
"But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."
Comprehending the gift of salvation leads to gratitude. Contrarily, confidence in supposed superiority doctrines may at first appear to provide a sense of intellectual advancement, acceptance, identity, or even power, but is of no eternal gain.
When people so desperately
WANT WHAT THEY WANT,
they are open to embracing falsehood of every kind including political, social, and religious (though they may insist they adhere to no particular ideology). They tailor and pursue doctrines to fit their experiences and desires.
The need for that happy feeling--that self-fulfillment about personal accomplishments, good deeds, or heritage can be so great that almost any belief system, except biblical truth, will suffice. The pain of being constant recipients of a multiplicity of injustices or the wish to feel better than someone else can be so strong that some willingly follow error. Because some have experienced severe exclusion, they want to exclude others--particularly those perceived as the culprits. Nevertheless, it is the same deceptive spirit and the same trap which was in the Garden.
The serpent tempted Eve by implying that she just didn't know who she really was and if she'd only reject God's instructions, she'd be enlightened.
The need for that happy feeling--that self-fulfillment about personal accomplishments, good deeds, or heritage can be so great that almost any belief system, except biblical truth, will suffice. The pain of being constant recipients of a multiplicity of injustices or the wish to feel better than someone else can be so strong that some willingly follow error. Because some have experienced severe exclusion, they want to exclude others--particularly those perceived as the culprits. Nevertheless, it is the same deceptive spirit and the same trap which was in the Garden.
The serpent tempted Eve by implying that she just didn't know who she really was and if she'd only reject God's instructions, she'd be enlightened.
Genesis 3:5
"For God doth know
that in the day ye eat thereof,
then your eyes shall be opened,
and ye shall be as gods,
knowing good and evil."
As mother Eve did, people often rationalize when faced with temptation: (Genesis 3:6)
"...the tree was good for food..."
"...the tree was good for food..."
[It will make me feel good inside. I'll be filled with good things about myself.]
"...it was pleasant to the eyes..."
"...it was pleasant to the eyes..."
[I'll like what I see in the mirror. I'll be proud of who I am.]
and the tree was appealing "...to make one wise..."
and the tree was appealing "...to make one wise..."
[I'll be smarter and will know all those things about myself that have been kept secret from me.]
1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world,
1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world,
the lust of the flesh,
and the lust of the eyes,
and the pride of life,
is not of the Father,
but is of the world.
It was the craftiest of deceptions which lead the garden-dwellers astray.
"AS" (like, similar to) gods, their eyes were actually opened to know both good and evil, but the serpent never mentioned the CONSEQUENCES of disobedience to God.
THE SERPENT'S
MOTIVATION (Then & Now)
●
Since I can't have it, you can't either.
● Since I was kicked out, I want you out too.
● Since the deception of pride cost me, I will make it
cost you.
Just THINK about it. If certain people are actually God's 'chosen', wouldn't it stand to reason that the same serpent spirit would be harder, more aggressive, and vigorous against those people? Wouldn't that evil one utilize every resource possible to deceive them and cheat them out of everything he could--especially an eternity with Creator, if possible?
That God-hater seeks every opportunity to steal, kill, and destroy the Believer's faith in the gospel of the Messiah. That deceiver comes strongly and at every stage in potential growth of understanding against seekers, new Believers, as well as those who have professed the faith for many years. That enemy does not care one iota about anyone's chronological age or "spiritual age".
The war is waged against those of all ethnic identities, educational and income levels, and personal backgrounds when there is the slightest step toward discovering, understanding, and living a way pleasing to the Most High.
Pride in any form and for any cause (social, religious, political...) is diabolically anti-Christ. The exalting of self is the very antithesis of the teaching and practice of Messiah.
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