Do you try to impress God? I admit there are times when I realize I’m trying to dazzle God, eager to hear not just “well done, good and faithful servant” but “Wow! You’re the best!”
Pride can easily creep into our good works, worship, and prayers. We don’t always spot it at a glance. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons Jesus drew such stark contrasts in parables like this:
“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’
But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14)
Taking a closer look at this parable, we can spot some subtle differences between the attitude of the Pharisee and the tax collector to help us distinguish between trying to impress God versus pleasing Him by coming to Him humbly…
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Pride is so insidious. 🙁 It is often the source of many of our downfalls. Thankful for God’s power to help us overcome it.
Agreed! So thankful for His power to help us overcome it too. Thanks for coming by!
I love how you pointed out all the I’s in the Pharisee’s prayer. OMG! We mess up every time we emphasize our efforts and minimize God’s. Our very breath comes from Him.
That really struck me as I read the passage too – we so easily minimize God’s efforts! Thanks for coming by!
This is such a good study, Bethany! Thank you! It’s a good reminder to examine our prayers and lives for the sneakiness of pride and to treasure our full dependence on God.
Thanks so much! Pride is so very sneaky. Grateful for God wanting us to fully depend on Him!