One day my best friend sent me an inspirational story related to pride. It was a story about Andy, a boy who saw his teacher mopping the floor many times.
In his curiosity, Andy asked the teacher, “Sir, what are you doing? Why did you mop the floor so many times?”
Then the teacher told Andy that a visitor had come to him asking for his wisdom for a problem she had. The teacher gave lots of suggestions, which made her really happy. She felt like she could solve her problem now.
After his guest went back home, the teacher started feeling proud of himself, knowing how wise he was. He started recalling all the wisdom he had and how much others respected him for it.
Suddenly, he realized that he had become arrogant. Therefore, he wanted to remove his arrogance by mopping the floor several times as a reflection of his repentance.
While listening to his teacher, Andy realized that he used to experience this same kind of struggle, so he began reflecting on different kinds of pride. Finally, he figured out that there are three kinds.
The first kind of pride is caused by money. This is easy to see because people will show off their wealth.
The second kind is caused by intelligence, which is a bit more difficult to see. This person will have difficulty listening to others’ feedback and input because he thinks that his reasons and ideas are best.
The third kind is caused by good deeds. This is the most difficult to see as pride. It starts out as a fine thread in our hearts, but little by little it makes us feel like we are the most generous people in the world.
Pride can hinder us from becoming one in Christ. Remember that it takes humility to be one.
Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. —Proverbs 18:12, NIV
Prayer: Dear Lord, we need your Holy Spirit to teach us every day to be humble before you and all men. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Georry Nefiantuty serves as the Country Director for Compassion East Indonesia.
Read all the One in Spirit devotionals.