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Pride


This week I would like to talk about pride.  The definition for pride in the dictionary is, “a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.” (Dictionary.com)

Pride is something that we all struggle with and harms us more than I think we understand.  According to President Benson (1989):

 Pride is a sin that can readily be seen in others but is rarely admitted in ourselves. Most of us consider pride to be a sin of those on the top, such as the rich and the learned, looking down at the rest of us. (See 2 Ne. 9:42.) There is, however, a far more common ailment among us—and that is pride from the bottom looking up. It is manifest in so many ways, such as faultfinding, gossiping, backbiting, murmuring, living beyond our means, envying, coveting, withholding gratitude and praise that might lift another, and being unforgiving and jealous.

These are common ways that pride can be manifest in our lives.  But why is this important?  What does this mean for me?  President Benson (1989) shares, “When pride has a hold on our hearts, we lose our independence of the world and deliver our freedoms to the bondage of men’s judgment.”  This is a large consequence for a small world.  He even shares that when we experience pride, we care more about what other people think than what God thinks, and that can have some serious consequences.

Image result for pride quotes

Why are we talking about pride when it comes to marriage?  Because, if it is present in your marriage, especially in large doses, you will find that there are many troubles that if not taken care of, could eventually lead to divorce.

Gooddard explains, “Since the universal sin is pride, the heart of repentance is giving up our self-sufficiency, our sense that we can set our own lives right. We must turn ourselves over to God. He can make sense of our fractured and flawed lives. We cannot.” (2009, p. 75) There is so much we cannot do on our own.  For us to recognize and relinquish our pride, we must involve Christ and the power of the atonement.  It requires us to turn toward Him.

What’s the cure?  I am glad you asked.  Goddard says, “Turning to God in faith and repentance is the cure for pride and self-centeredness” (2009, p.72).  And President Benson shares with us, “The antidote for pride is humility-meekness, submissiveness (see Alma 7:23). It is the broken heart and contrite spirit.” (1989).

I challenge you this week to notice when pride sneaks into your relationships with others and just bring awareness to it.  Awareness is the beginning to change.

References:

Benson, E. T. (n.d.). Beware of Pride. Retrieved from https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1989/05/beware-of-pride?lang=eng.

Goddard, H. W. (2009). Drawing heaven into your marriage: eternal doctrines that change relationships. Cedar Hills, UT: Joymap Publishing.

Pride. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.dictionary.com/browse/pride?s=t.

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