1 Corinthians 4
August Memory Verse: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
Read: 1 Corinthians 4
Paul has spent a good bit of the first three chapters of 1 Corinthians admonishing the church in Corinth. Then, in chapter 4, Paul really let’s them have it with stinging sarcasm:
Ouch! Clearly, while Paul and company have struggled for the gospel, the Corinthians have become very, very comfortable with themselves and proud of it. They think they are doing just great! And this pride has resulted in a bunch of consequences, not the least of which is a stunted spiritual growth (3:1-3).
Pride is something that seems to come very naturally to most all of us. I read an article this morning by Jason Meyer that had a quote that I thought was very instructive on this subject. He says, “Pride is not just a sin, but a sinful mother — a sinful orientation that gives birth to more sins”. I like that quote because I think its true that pride is never really about the subject at hand, but about our “sinful orientation” and all it spawns. Romans 12 is super instructive on what a humble life looks like. It tells us to not to think too highly of ourselves but to think with sober judgement, to never be wise in our own sight, to not be haughty but associate with the lowly, to outdo one another in showing others honor. Basically, to think a lot less about ourselves and more about others and to remember that any wisdom we have comes from God. I think pride is sometimes so difficult to see in ourselves because we justify it by thinking we are not being prideful, we’re just, well… right! obviously!!
The question for today is not “am I being prideful in some way?” – I probably am! The question for today is in what way has that pride come to the surface recently? If you search honestly for an answer, you will likely find something to turn away from, think differently about, maybe even to apologize for.
By: Chuck Vellios
Read: 1 Corinthians 4
Paul has spent a good bit of the first three chapters of 1 Corinthians admonishing the church in Corinth. Then, in chapter 4, Paul really let’s them have it with stinging sarcasm:
- Verses 8-9 – Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us, you have become kings…
- Verses 10 – We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute…
Ouch! Clearly, while Paul and company have struggled for the gospel, the Corinthians have become very, very comfortable with themselves and proud of it. They think they are doing just great! And this pride has resulted in a bunch of consequences, not the least of which is a stunted spiritual growth (3:1-3).
Pride is something that seems to come very naturally to most all of us. I read an article this morning by Jason Meyer that had a quote that I thought was very instructive on this subject. He says, “Pride is not just a sin, but a sinful mother — a sinful orientation that gives birth to more sins”. I like that quote because I think its true that pride is never really about the subject at hand, but about our “sinful orientation” and all it spawns. Romans 12 is super instructive on what a humble life looks like. It tells us to not to think too highly of ourselves but to think with sober judgement, to never be wise in our own sight, to not be haughty but associate with the lowly, to outdo one another in showing others honor. Basically, to think a lot less about ourselves and more about others and to remember that any wisdom we have comes from God. I think pride is sometimes so difficult to see in ourselves because we justify it by thinking we are not being prideful, we’re just, well… right! obviously!!
The question for today is not “am I being prideful in some way?” – I probably am! The question for today is in what way has that pride come to the surface recently? If you search honestly for an answer, you will likely find something to turn away from, think differently about, maybe even to apologize for.
By: Chuck Vellios
5 Comments
Great message for the times we live in! Being prideful can often lead to strife, disagreements, etc. Great quote that was mentioned in Jason Meyer's article! So true!
So true, Chuck. Whenever I start to feel anger, resentment or something not Godly, I ask myself about the root of that feeling. It's always pride. Identifying it makes it easier to put it away and reject it. Pride is always ready to rear its ugly head if you allow it. Thank God for the Holy Spirit, who reveals all things and convicts us.
Thank God, indeed!
Pride says "I'm right and have arrived!" Humility says, I always can grow
And so we need a "tutor in Christ", v.15, a command to follow: be imitators of Paul's ways which are in Christ, v.16-17.
And look at how pride and arrogance flourish in the face of sound teaching of Christ -- they are powerless, actually. Thus the remedy for stubborn stain of pride is the persistent application of gospel teaching. Apply often as necessary. That's my little take away.