Run from Pride as from a Bear

Pride is a spiritual disease which is a killer. Every true Christian must wage war against the sin of pride, yet pride comes in so many forms.
James 4:6-8 "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you".

2 Corinthians 2:11 "so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs".

We must ensure that we are not unaware of Satan's scheme of pride. There are few better than William Gurnall to unpick the lock of secret pride. In his book "The Christian in Complete Armour" he exposes the sin of pride most helpfully. On pages 187-213 he undoes the sin of spiritual pride. Pride of grace, pride of gifts, pride of privileges .

How would you respond if you were walking in the USA and a bear appeared? The natural instinct would be to run. How much more we must run from pride. Also we should NOT sit with professing Christians who persist in pride either, lest they infect our soul with this dreaded disease. Some diseases are contagious and such is pride. Our pride tells us "no, I can handle it. Their pride will not affect me". Are you so sure O Christian?

Joesph fled from Potiphar's wife so why do you stand gazing at sin and consider yourself lest you also be tempted? I commend this book by Gurnall again, even if you simply open a few pages. I read this morning Mark 13 and it was a reminder there by the Lord Jesus. He emphasises the need to "be on your guard" and to "be alert". May God help us by his Holy Spirit for us to walk in genuine humility.

“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” Mark 13:32-37.