Are you really any better?

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. -Romans 12:3

What do you think of yourself? Do you think you're a pretty "good" Christian? Maybe you think you're a really "good" Christian? Maybe you think you are better than most? Are you really?

Do you think you are better than other people? Maybe you think you are better because you've chosen to live a set-apart life!? Maybe you think you are better because you haven't made the same mistakes as other people?

Are you really any better?

The Lord has really been working on my heart about this and my dad has cautioned me many times about this too.

Pride. Its a constant struggle of mine!

I hate pride in other people. I mean I HATE it! I rant about it.

I hate it when people are prideful! I hate it when people bash and tear down their "friends" with their words whether its from the pulpit or in an email, or its in the use of too many words or none at all.

But I have to be so so careful that my hate for pride doesn't become pride in my own heart!

***I need to hate the pride in my own life just as much as I hate it in other people.

Its all pride. Anytime we think we are better than someone else its just plain old pride.

Pride is in the tone of voice, its in actual choice words, its in actions. Its in silence too. Its in looking down so much on someone that you refuse to speak to them. Its in avoiding people.

Just because someone has made a mistake, whether big or little, that you haven't, doesn't mean you are any better.

No-one is any better. Not one soul!

I'm no better than anyone else because I have chosen to live differently! And I'm no worse than someone because I've chosen a less traveled path.

I'm a sinner, and me thinking I'm better than anyone else would be me completely forgetting what God has saved me from!

I've made mistakes. But having made those mistakes is a continual reminder that I AM NOT worthy of Christs forgiveness! I don't deserve it!

Sins- wether its pride or immorality or murder are all sins. One is no worse than the others!

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

-Proverbs 6:16-19

In fact, have you ever noticed that God hates pride more than murder? And God hates pride more than a wicked heart?

Watch out for pride! Make sure their is no trace of it in your life! Be careful with your words + actions + especially your tone of voice!

Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me. Psalms 36:11

Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. Psalm 31:20

Dear Lord, please help me to stay humble! Help me to not be prideful in my thoughts and words! Lord, help me to not be prideful even in my tone of voice!