Edition 50 of my Pride study

Friday, October 21st

Edition 50 of my Pride study

James 1:2-11
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

9 The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

Trial (noun):

1. The act or process of testing, trying, or putting to the proof.

Perseverance (noun):

1. Steady persistence in adhering to a course of action, a belief, or a purpose; steadfastness.

Mature (adj.):

1. Having reached full natural growth or development.


2. Having reached a desired or final condition; ripe.


3. Of, relating to, or characteristic of full development, either mental or physical.


4. Worked out fully by the mind; considered.

This is the final edition of my pride study. I must confess, this is also very tough, because the scripture is something I talked to my wife about last night. She is struggling with her faith and came to me for answers, which I had none. A co-worker’s daughter passed away yesterday. We both fasted and prayed. She said she did not doubt. She was even excited about her prayer. She knew God was going to let her live and recover. It did not happen. The girl passed on. So I served my wife. My wife is facing a trial. I think this is good in a way. What happens when I have my heart on right, I pray, not for myself as in a selfish prayer, but for someone else, something righteous and something good, and God does not give the answer I wanted? I may not understand it, my wife may not understand it, but right now we must persevere. This happened to me several years ago, I prayed steadfast about something, I can’t remember what now, but God didn’t answer my prayer. My faith was shaken. I knew I had the mustard seed. I believed in my heart and yet it didn’t happen. Why? Why? Why? Why didn’t God do the thing I asked in my prayer?

Humble (adj.):

1. Marked by meekness or modesty in behavior, attitude, or spirit; not arrogant or prideful.


2. Showing deferential or submissive respect.


3. Low in rank, quality, or station; unpretentious or lowly.

I think in some ways, if God did do what I had asked, I would have become prideful. This is what I think could have happened. I pray for this great thing, God does it, then I can boast because I made God my puppet. I caused God to do something. When I pray, I need to check my motivation. When I pray, I need to be at peace that if God doesn’t do it, then I need to respect God.

Respect (verb):

1. To feel or show deferential regard for; esteem.


2. To avoid violation of or interference with.

In regards to pride, I need to respect Gods wishes even if he doesn’t answer in the way I expect. That is submissive respect.