THE PROUD CANNOT ACCEPT THE AUTHORITY OF GOD GIVING DIRECTION TO THEIR LIVES.
-Ezra Taft Benson
-Ezra Taft Benson
Because I have 2 'children' and 4 nieces and nephews out in the world doing their best to "flood the earth" with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I've been reminded of the famous talk given by Ezra T. Benson 19 years ago. (Truth never gets old!!) He counseled us to do all that we can to spread the 'good news' of Gods plan for us on earth. And he reminded us that the greatest stumbling block to success in this endeavor is the sin of pride.
He taught us:
"Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart, or core, is still missing.
The central feature of pride is enmity—enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen. Enmity means “hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition.” It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us.
Pride is essentially competitive in nature. We pit our will against God’s. When we direct our pride toward God, it is in the spirit of “my will and not thine be done.” As Paul said, they “seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.” (Philip. 2:21.)
Our will in competition to God’s will allows desires, appetites, and passions to go unbridled.
Our enmity toward God takes on many labels, such as rebellion, hard-heartedness, stiff-neckedness, unrepentant, puffed up, easily offended, and sign seekers. The proud wish God would agree with them. They aren’t interested in changing their opinions to agree with God’s.
Another major portion of this very prevalent sin of pride is enmity toward our fellowmen. We are tempted daily to elevate ourselves above others and diminish them."
"Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart, or core, is still missing.
The central feature of pride is enmity—enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen. Enmity means “hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition.” It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us.
Pride is essentially competitive in nature. We pit our will against God’s. When we direct our pride toward God, it is in the spirit of “my will and not thine be done.” As Paul said, they “seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.” (Philip. 2:21.)
Our will in competition to God’s will allows desires, appetites, and passions to go unbridled.
Our enmity toward God takes on many labels, such as rebellion, hard-heartedness, stiff-neckedness, unrepentant, puffed up, easily offended, and sign seekers. The proud wish God would agree with them. They aren’t interested in changing their opinions to agree with God’s.
Another major portion of this very prevalent sin of pride is enmity toward our fellowmen. We are tempted daily to elevate ourselves above others and diminish them."
What I've Learned: I must work hard to avoid stiff-neckedness. I need to look around myself and think of others and be humble. I need to to 'put off the natural man' and become as a child, submissive (to the will of the Lord) and meek. (being God fearing and righteous) I need to CHOOSE to be humble, as the alternative- to be compelled, is much less desirable.
(If you'd like to read the full talk, you can do it here.)
(If you'd like to read the full talk, you can do it here.)
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