There are two kinds of pride mentioned in the scriptures: God's pride which comes with great reward and blessing and man's pride which always brings ruin.

How do we know when we are operating in man's pride? It is often coupled in the scripture with the word 'haughty' or 'arrogant'. No big deal--we wouldn't intentionally turn up our nose at some one or steal the praise from God. We're Christians. So what does that look like with skin on in the life of a believer? 

It's sometimes small, flying in under the radar. The only way to spot it, root it out and expose it is to take a really close look at our No-No Zones. We may have no problem being gracious and kind to others on the surface, but take a deeper look. Pride is usually clothed in me-isms. 

There are times when I find myself backing away from certain issues, people or tasks because it makes me uncomfortable. I'd rather do something else with my time or my money. I'd rather take a vacation than feed children on another continent, I'd rather sleep in on a Saturday morning than get up early and hit the streets for God, I'd rather sit in service and get fed than work in the nursery. If I had my way, I'd avoid 'high-maintenance' people, 'needy' people and 'broken' people because they take alot of time and effort; time I could spend doing things I enjoy and effort I could expend on something more satisfying--like shopping and getting my nails done.  Me-isms.

Just those little 'me-isms' can set me up for a big fall. When I look at life through my lenses, I want comfort. If I continue to look through those lenses long enough, I'm in trouble. You see, everything I read in the bible tells me I should be extending myself beyond my comfort zones. I should be moving in a direction that tests my sensibilities and crucifies my flesh. I should be exorcising my No-No Zones instead of catering to them.      

Remember when John F. Kennedy said "Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country." Of course! I was five and I remember that speech. I remember the effect it had on Americans; something pivotal occurs in the human psyche when 'me-ism' is crucified. The very call to lay one's self aside to attend to the greater good ignites a flame in the human spirit that is unquenchable. Men die for it. Why? Because God built us that way. 

Pride aka arrogance, and haughtiness can emerge as simply, stealthly and silently as turning our eyes from things we'd rather not see, like that homeless guy you pass everyday on your way home from an exhausting day at the office. Like clicking off a blog here at MyChurch because it contains a plea from another continent and the children are not dressed as well as our own. Like telling the staff at your church you're too busy to help with an internal ministry. Like being gracious and kind on the surface, but holding out for your own comfort. 

Pride is being given much and returning little. Arrogance is refusing to help the least because it's inconvenient. Haughtiness is found in the excuses we make to justify our personal No-No Zones, when Christ has called us to crucify them with Him. 

I think I'll choose to chase God's pride instead of my own. In the bigger picture I think the pay off will be much easier to swallow even if it means I have to live with less of 'me'.