Puffed Up

by Jarvie, G. | Category: For Young Believers | Aug 1955

"Not a novice, lest being puffed up he fall into the condemnation of

the devil" (1 Timothy 3.6).

"Love ... is not puffed up" (1 Corinthians 13.4).

What an apt description of pride we have in these words "puffed up"! By nature almost every human being seems to be affected by it, and we need only look into our own hearts to see its presence. What a tremendous burden of sorrow this world carries because of pride! What a remarkable change takes place in our lives when we learn of Him who was meek and lowly in heart I In company with those who are lowly, every other heart feels at rest. Among the proud there is never rest.

A great characteristic of our Lord Jesus Christ, as He trod this earth, was that of humility. "I am meek and lowly in heart," He said, and all who take His yoke and learn of Him find rest.

In contrast to this, a great characteristic of the devil is that of pride. "I will ascend into heaven," he said, "I will exalt my throne above the stars of God.... I will be like the Most High" (Isaiah 14. 13, 14).

If we can see how fearful are the effects of pride, we shall not only hate it in others, but we shall fear it in ourselves, and we shall seek to walk humbly with God. Of all the effects which the Fall has had upon men, pride is perhaps the most awful. Let us read what the Scriptures have to say about it.

"A man's pride shall bring him low:

But he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honour"

(Proverbs 29.28).

And again-

"Pride goeth before destruction,

And an haughty spirit before a fall"

(Proverbs 16.18).

One of the certain effects of pride is to bring men down. God will bring low every proud heart. "I beheld Satan fallen as lightning from heaven," the Lord Jesus said (Luke 10.18). The cause of his fall was pride, and with him, every other proud heart is certain to come down. A novice, or an uninstructed disciple, is not to be recognized as an overseer, lest he become proud and fall into the condemnation of the devil. The servant of Christ must aim to be like the Master in lowliness of mind.

Another serious effect of pride is that of contention or quarrelling the spirit of self-will. There is never peace where there is pride. A humble heart is necessary to brethren dwelling together in unity. Wisdom is unknown among the proud, it is found only among the lowly.

"By pride cometh only contention:

But with the well advised is wisdom"

(Proverbs 13.10).

Pride brings shame! Oh, if only men would think of their latter days how different their lives would be! The proud are always blind.

"When pride cometh, then cometh shame:

But with the lowly is wisdom"

(Proverbs 11.2).

Well may we hate pride. It seems to have a thousand different forms, and is native to our old nature! But a life yielded to God, and lived in fellowship with Him, will enable us to transform our lives by the renewing of our minds.

We turn from the subject of pride, with its destruction and quarrelling and shame, to consider the effects of meekness-that Christ-like trait. We read

"The LORD upholdeth (lifteth up) the meek" (Psalm 147.6).

Just as surely as God brings low the proud, so surely does He lift up the meek. He deals with both. He who dwells in the high and holy place, dwells also with him that is of a contrite spirit (Isaiah 66.2).

"The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD" (Isaiah 29.19).

There is neither quarrelling nor fighting among the meek. Their joy and peace increase continually. Albeit, there is need to contend for the Faith.

"The meek will He guide in judgement; And the meek will He teach His way"

(Psalm 25.9).

No shame will come to those who are meek and lowly in heart. The Lord Himself will be their Teacher and Guide. The treasures of His word God will open to the meek. "Follow after ... meekness," wrote Paul to Timothy (1 Timothy 6.11).

"What doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy (kindness), and to walk humbly with thy God?" (Micah 6.8).

Yes, these are vital things in our lives and service for God.

Jarvie, G. | Aug 1955
For Young Believers