Some of the worst moments of my life are the words and works puffed up and pumped out because of my pride. Whenever I find myself start to get upset, I do my best to take a moment and assess, is this just pride talking?

Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. – Prov 13:10

Only by pride comes contention:

• Road rage – Pride.
• Someone tardy for an appointment or didn’t come through on an agreement – Pride.
• Didn’t get proper service – Pride.
• Think about your last argument or fight – Pride.

At the core of your mighty stance? Pride with a capital “P”.

Jas 3:16 talks about envy and strife and its roommates, confusion and every evil work. Envy and strife are contentious bedfellows.

And the root of contention? Only by pride comes contention.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. ~ Prov 12:15

It can be so frustrating. Asking a friend for advice or even simply to listen without the advice, and they give us … what? Their opinion, often contrary to our own. So we go pick another friend to “bounce our idea” on – and we keep doing that until we find someone to justify our rightness (not our righteousness, but our desire to be correct).

You know what else can be frustrating? When we tell someone what we think and they disagree. What is it about our nature that makes us want to be right? At least once, all the time.

Pride.

This pride often comes packaged up with custom-fitted wisdom blockers, to cover our ears and eyes so we can focus on our own rightness (not our righteousness, but our desire to be correct).

The counsel of God’s word, in study and prayer. The counsel of Godly friends and family, with the cover of prayer and an open Bible nearby. The counsel of patience, and of prudence, and of perspective.

The path of rightness and the path of righteousness are divergent. Only one is worth fighting for.

Prov 11:13 – A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

We should always speak the truth (Eph 4:25), but does that mean we should speak every truth? Gossiping lips are not limited to a lying tongue. Gossip can also be when a truth that should be left unsaid is shared with others.

This sharing of “inside info” is a prideful action, isn’t it? Sort of an “Wouldn’t you like to know what I know” type of position.

Gossip leaks. Prudence protects.

One of the best resources and studies on this topic is Resisting Gossip by Matt Mitchell. A great individual read or group study.

In some ways, it seems as if we are living in an era where mischief and lies leading to another person’s fall or failure is like a sport. We laugh at videos of falls and failures and share them like LOLcats.

Slander and falsehoods are the tools of this trade, and social media has become the soap box on which to stand up and throw down.

Prov 10:23 To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom.

Even during such stormy times, we can be comforted with Prov 10:29-30, not by our own strength, but by the Lord’s strength.

If you encounter the sport of wrongdoing, don’t compete. In some ways, it’s better to just walk away.

There are some conversations that are simply unprofitable for anyone. The longer it goes on, the worse it gets. I’ve had my share of those.

Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. – Prov 9:6

There are times to engage, and times to disengage. There are people that will be worth the effort, and others that it will be better to walk away. And some people, who are normally worth the effort, have foolish moments.

The Holy Spirit will guide you in appropriate times, especially if you are investing time in study and prayer. Incline your ear to God.

Keep in mind Prov 9:6-10 during conversations that continue to go south. Sometimes, it’s best just to walk away.

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. – Prov 8:17

Do we seek God early? What is early for some, might not be so early for others. Is the “early” in Prov 8:17 limited to a time of day? Or a time in life?

If we consider Matt 6:33, and “seek ye first, the Kingdom of God”, then perhaps “early” can be in a situation. At the beginning of the day, the beginning stages of a project, or the first leg of a trip … seek first, God and His will.

Approach a matter in prayer at the early going (Php 4:6), and the going is sure to be greater.

Lust. Physical, but not always sexual. For that which we don’t have – and probably shouldn’t want. It grabs at our attention and lures us away from God.

From Prov 7:4-5

“Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.”

“But wait a minute there. How can a car flatter me with words?” Can bling sing? Good question. Is ‘Wow’ a word?

The false attraction of what is strange to us, things not ours to hold, can be tempting, but guard your heart (Prov 4:23) with wisdom and truth.

Remember your childhood years? I used to hope someone was looking when I was doing good, and really hope no one would be watching when I was doing bad.

But God sees all things, watching and weighing every step while we walk this journey of life.

In Prov 5:21, we read this promise:

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.

Of course, this is a warning against making bad choices, but so is Num 32:23.

We could also see His watchful eye as a great comfort and blessing. It’s why we sing :

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

For me, I’m more apt to choose good and turn away from bad knowing that with every step, every thought, that I have an audience. An audience of One (Gal 1:10).

It might not always have the same landmarks, but if we’re to be truthful with ourselves, we recognize sin’s path.

There are some paths of sin we know so well because our feet have touched its pavement plenty of times. By God’s grace and strength, we overcome the sin.

I’ve seen many who, after overcoming, seem to be bursting with pride. “I’m passed that, now.” And they begin to wander into the proximity of sin’s path to show their strength.

Oops.

Why even come close? Prov 4:14-15 give us sound instruction:

Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

If, on your journey, you intersect sin’s path, just say Pthu to Sin, and walk the other way.

Avoid the Noid altogether.

Photo on Flickr by imkelsi