Pride is a sin
Plain and simple, it is a sin.
It isn't that I'm all for religions and things like that, or that I am one of those people who goes, 'ooo, sin, bad! stay away!' It's more... more that I'm a practical person.
Envy will tear your heart out as you realize what you do to destroy the lives of those around you. For those who are smart enough to figure it out, that is. I despise that sin above all. But pride? Pride is something all together different.
Pride will keep someone from going lower in the totem pole to make ends meet. Pride will keep someone from seeking what they must in order to survive. Pride can destroy a person's life around them, even as they are unaware they can do something to stop it. Strip yourself of the pride, and many opportunities arise that were previously unseen... yet always there.
"It will come to me, because I deserve it to do so."
"I don't want to do that. It is below me."
My mind is blanking on other phrases which one might hear that indicates pride. Like envy, pride is an internal war which must be fought in order to defeat it. However, by fighting, you lose the fight. Pride is one of those things that in order to defeat it, you have to humble yourself. Pride has to pass over you, it has to be ignored, forgotten, let go. Someone has to make the concious choice to say, "No."
No, I will not let you guide me. No, I will not let you hound me. No, I am not no better than any other human on this earth.
We're all humans. Every single one of us. No matter what we look like, we're all humans. It is the differing sins, acting upon each individual, and the differing virtues, which make everyone vastly different.
There is a close line between faith and pride, it seems to me.
One person who waits for something to come might be said to have faith in the Lord that He will watch over them. ... But one who has the thought 'because I deserve it' has not the untainted faith required for such a thing. "It will come to me..." ought not be finished with "because I deserve it" but instead with, "Because I will help Him, and work towards it." Who are we if we just sit and wait for things to happen? Things do not just happen.
There are over six BILLION people on this Earth... Some believe in a Higher Being, most do I think the last count said. Even if the name is different, what does it matter? A higher being is a higher being. If one truly believes they will get help from said higher being... why not attempt to meet Him halfway?
He helps those who help themselves.
Is that a real quote from somewhere? I don't know. I think I heard it somewhere, and it most certainly makes sense.
Those who make it a point to help... help themselves, or help others... just help in general... will get their rewards.
Pride will keep people from helping. Pride will destroy a person from the inside out... and it will not be until too late before they realize they lost everything. They lost their home, they lost their family support, they lost their job, they lost everything. ... But can they make the choice to lose their pride? Or will they not see that their pride is the very thing which lead to their downfall?
::light shrug:: I remember something someone told me from church some time back. "I do not say that I am proud of anyone. Pride is a sin. We do not use that word. Instead, we say 'pleased.' And, so, I am pleased at your accomplishment."
... no.
While pride is a sin in its extreme forms... it is not an overbearing throw out the window and never use it type of thing. Be proud of someone's accomplishment. Give them the praise they deserve. Let yourself have a moment of joy shared with one who deserves it. But keep it in such a moderation that it does not rule your life.
::hops off her soapbox:: Yeah. Done. It's starting not to make sense in my head now. I find it funny how when I go philosophical, I tackle the 'big issues'.
Learn from the mistakes of others. You do not live long enough to live them all yourself.
The two sins I understand and despise:
Envy.
Pride.
I wonder who'll be next to show me a personal reference to the others in such a detail that I can distinguish it and ... interpret it.
~The observer is an invaluable ally.~
It isn't that I'm all for religions and things like that, or that I am one of those people who goes, 'ooo, sin, bad! stay away!' It's more... more that I'm a practical person.
Envy will tear your heart out as you realize what you do to destroy the lives of those around you. For those who are smart enough to figure it out, that is. I despise that sin above all. But pride? Pride is something all together different.
Pride will keep someone from going lower in the totem pole to make ends meet. Pride will keep someone from seeking what they must in order to survive. Pride can destroy a person's life around them, even as they are unaware they can do something to stop it. Strip yourself of the pride, and many opportunities arise that were previously unseen... yet always there.
"It will come to me, because I deserve it to do so."
"I don't want to do that. It is below me."
My mind is blanking on other phrases which one might hear that indicates pride. Like envy, pride is an internal war which must be fought in order to defeat it. However, by fighting, you lose the fight. Pride is one of those things that in order to defeat it, you have to humble yourself. Pride has to pass over you, it has to be ignored, forgotten, let go. Someone has to make the concious choice to say, "No."
No, I will not let you guide me. No, I will not let you hound me. No, I am not no better than any other human on this earth.
We're all humans. Every single one of us. No matter what we look like, we're all humans. It is the differing sins, acting upon each individual, and the differing virtues, which make everyone vastly different.
There is a close line between faith and pride, it seems to me.
One person who waits for something to come might be said to have faith in the Lord that He will watch over them. ... But one who has the thought 'because I deserve it' has not the untainted faith required for such a thing. "It will come to me..." ought not be finished with "because I deserve it" but instead with, "Because I will help Him, and work towards it." Who are we if we just sit and wait for things to happen? Things do not just happen.
There are over six BILLION people on this Earth... Some believe in a Higher Being, most do I think the last count said. Even if the name is different, what does it matter? A higher being is a higher being. If one truly believes they will get help from said higher being... why not attempt to meet Him halfway?
He helps those who help themselves.
Is that a real quote from somewhere? I don't know. I think I heard it somewhere, and it most certainly makes sense.
Those who make it a point to help... help themselves, or help others... just help in general... will get their rewards.
Pride will keep people from helping. Pride will destroy a person from the inside out... and it will not be until too late before they realize they lost everything. They lost their home, they lost their family support, they lost their job, they lost everything. ... But can they make the choice to lose their pride? Or will they not see that their pride is the very thing which lead to their downfall?
::light shrug:: I remember something someone told me from church some time back. "I do not say that I am proud of anyone. Pride is a sin. We do not use that word. Instead, we say 'pleased.' And, so, I am pleased at your accomplishment."
... no.
While pride is a sin in its extreme forms... it is not an overbearing throw out the window and never use it type of thing. Be proud of someone's accomplishment. Give them the praise they deserve. Let yourself have a moment of joy shared with one who deserves it. But keep it in such a moderation that it does not rule your life.
::hops off her soapbox:: Yeah. Done. It's starting not to make sense in my head now. I find it funny how when I go philosophical, I tackle the 'big issues'.
Learn from the mistakes of others. You do not live long enough to live them all yourself.
The two sins I understand and despise:
Envy.
Pride.
I wonder who'll be next to show me a personal reference to the others in such a detail that I can distinguish it and ... interpret it.
~The observer is an invaluable ally.~