Copyright\u00a0 by Shea Oakley<\/p>\n
All rights reserved<\/p>\n
In periods of spiritual growth we sometimes find ourselves consciously aware of standing on a higher plateau in our Christian journey. When we are awake to having arrived at this new level it is cause for joy, a time to rightfully celebrate what God has done in our lives. But, like so many blessings in this existence, there is an accompanying danger of which we must also be conscious.<\/p>\n
It is all too easy to look down at others who have yet to reach the place that we feel we have reached in our own sanctification.<\/p>\n
The temptation to pride is always increased whenever a human being succeeds at anything in life. This is as true in the realm of the sacred as it is in the profane. In fact believers who might have long ago given up the kind of hubris that once accompanied worldly accomplishment sometimes now find themselves succumbing to a sort of \u201cpious conceit.\u201d In some ways giving in to this kind conceit is even more dangerous than the earlier type. Jesus reserved His most scathing criticism for the Pharisees, a spiritually prideful group if there ever was one. It is bad enough to think oneself better than another because of secular achievement. To be arrogant because of the religious kind is even worse.<\/p>\n
Some might assert here that true spiritual maturity cannot lend itself to this kind of temptation. While it is indeed accurate to affirm that a vital part of authentic growth is the development of humility such humility is not a foregone conclusion. For instance someone can acquire a virtue like patience or discernment and start to think that they have far more patience or discernment then other \u201cless spiritual\u201d people around them. Modesty may accompany an increase in these qualities, but such is not always the case. Humility is a separate quality, one that is not automatically attached to whatever others a believer may be in the course of acquiring.<\/p>\n
It is vital that we consciously take care to nip such spiritual arrogance in the bud. But how do we cut off the root of pride that might come along with legitimate growth? Here, as in other vital areas of the Christian journey, prayer is essential. As we thank God for our newfound \u201celevation\u201d we do well to ask Him to help us not let it go to our head. Praying for sensitivity to others, as far as our testimony of what God is doing in our lives, is also helpful. Another good check for our spirits is to employ friends who will tell us if we come across as even slightly \u201cholier than thou.\u201d Meditating on the humility of the Man who was infinitely more holy than the best of us is another safeguard we can employ.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the best thing we can do with our increased spiritual maturity is to help bring our brothers and sisters along with us, to the same place that we have been blessed to attain. The very grace which made it possible for us will make it possible for them, and there is great joy in store for the one who voluntarily becomes an instrument of that grace. In endeavoring to lift others onto the same plateau that we have reached we forsake pride for something far sweeter, the satisfaction of loving others.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Copyright\u00a0 by Shea Oakley All rights reserved In periods of spiritual growth we sometimes find ourselves consciously aware of standing on a higher plateau in our Christian journey. When we are awake to having arrived at this new level it is cause for joy, a time to rightfully celebrate what God has done in our… <\/p>\n