"Don't
refuse to accept criticism; get all the help you can." (Proverbs 23:12,
NIV)
"Listen to
your father's advice and don't despise an old mother's experience. Get
the facts at any price, and hold on tightly to all the good sense you
can get. The father of a godly man has cause for joy---what a pleasure a
wise son is! So give your parents joy!" (Proverbs 23:22-25, NIV)
“At
once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: "I want you to
give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter." The king
was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests,
he did not want to refuse her. So he immediately sent an executioner
with orders to bring John's head. The man went, beheaded John in the
prison, and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the
girl, and she gave it to her mother. On hearing of this, John's
disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.” (Mark 6:25-29,
NIV)
Observation:
What is the king’s reaction to the
girl’s request?The
king was greatly distressed.
What did
the king do?
-
But because of his oaths and his
dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her.
-
So
he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head.
Interpretation:
What do we
learn about King Herod?
Herod was not just distressed
with the girl’s request but GREATLY distressed. The distress was a lot
because he knew what she requested is something he did not want to give
her even though he promised to give anything. He did not expect her to
ask for John the Baptist’s head. Yet, that is what she asked!
He could have refused her so he
could do right and admit that he made a mistake but because of his oaths
and his dinner guests he did not want to refuse her. In essence, he let
pride take over him and was willing to let a prophet die because of his
pride.
This created a ripple effect and
pain to those who loved John the Baptist. On hearing what happened to
John the Baptist, his disciples came, took his body, and laid it in a
tomb.
Implications:
I saw important implications for
my own life. Keeping oaths and promises is very important but when it
endangers someone’s life or hurts someone else's life and we are able to
change it, I believe we should if we are not going against God's Word.
First of all, we should not even
make an oath or promise but let our ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and our ‘no’ be ‘no’.
Herod was not willing to go that direction because of his pride.
I should not let my pride get in
the way of doing what is right. First of all this kind of pride is not
even biblical. It is the opposite of humility. No good comes out of this
kind of pride. It only hurts people because we put ourselves above
others when we have this kind of pride.
This type of pride is especially
dangerous in relationships because a relationship that is not based on
seeking the Lord first and each other second is bound to fail
eventually.
What happens is there is no
humility there because people start thinking ‘what will my
boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife, family/friends think of me because
of such an action’ without thinking ‘what would the Lord think of me
because of such an action’
Once the Lord is at the
forefront of any relationship, I believe hurts will be minimized a lot
because both sides will be seeking to please the Lord and love the Lord
that in the process they could start pleasing each other. The
relationships will be built on humbling themselves before the Lord
before humbling themselves before each other.
Self wants and needs are covered
over by what God wants! Herod was so self-absorbed with his kingdom and
guests that he did not want to humble himself before the Lord and do the
right thing. Instead, he thought what other people might think of him if
he changed his mind on something that was wrong. This cost a person his
life.
The Lord placed humanity to be
in a relationship with each other. Any relationship should not be based
on pride and prejudice but should be based on humility and love. Once
pride creeps in, eventually there will come destruction without it being
covered over by humility. We may not even see it right away.
This happens even now. There are
families who are so self-absorbed with pride of their accomplishments
that they want their children to follow in their footsteps. It is all
about what will society think about them if their children go another
path. So, many times children are forced to do things they may not want.
Some go ahead and do it and are
never happy. Others try to make their families understand and choose
their own path. In both situations there is pain and in some situations
sadly there is death involved too especially if someone gives to their
life to Christ and are from a Muslim or Hindu family. That does not
always happen but it does.
A pastor shared with me that
when he was young and became a follower of Christ after being a Hindu,
his dad was so upset. His dad went and got a Hindu priest to come talk
to him about what he did. His dad had might have had so much pride about
what others will think of him and his family after his son gave his life
to Christ that he could not bear it.
The pastor goes on to share how
he locked himself in the bathroom for hours that day and would not come
out until the Hindu priest eventually left his house. He was so scared
what his dad would do to him but he humbled himself before the Lord and
depended on Jesus to take care of him.
His story is amazing because he
felt called into the ministry but God had His timing. The pastor shares
how he went on to do academia not to displease his dad but after his dad
passed away, he went on to become a pastor.
Here I saw the results of
seeking the Lord in humility. Because of the young man’s love for the
Lord that love was exhibited towards his parents too. No matter how much
love was exhibited, he did not go against the Lord nor compromise his
principles and give into being a Hindu. There are things we cannot ever
go back to when we seek the Lord. He knew Jesus is the Absolute Truth
and the only Way, the Truth, and the Life to have a ticket to Heaven.
Jesus
said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father
except through me" (John 14:6)
I just talked to that pastor few
weeks ago when he gave me his business card. I am so excited how the
Lord has been using him for His honor and glory. He was recently called
to pastor a church in Chicago, Illinois.
I ask you
now dear friend, what has pride done to you?
Dear friend, pride can be
destructive in our lives. I am not talking about the pride of
accomplishing something but the pride that is the opposite of humility.
I know pride did affect my life in different ways until I humbled myself
before the Lord. I want to share you some of my story in the hopes that
it will help you.
I used to care a lot about what
people think about me but when I humbled myself before Jesus, His
desires became my desires is what I felt.
I have degrees in different
fields such as Psychology with a 3.12/4.0 avg, Administration of Justice
with a 3.85/4.0, and Legal Studies (Major 4.0/4.0) with minors in
Mathematics (3.0 avg) and Computer Science (3.0 avg) and current
coursework in Business Management with an A- average! These are
accomplishments I am excited about among others but know it is because
of Jesus Christ that all this was possible for me.
Students and non-students would
wonder what I am doing in the Food Service industry when I could do be
doing anything as high as United States Secret Service but it has never
been about money to me but reaching souls with the Gospel of Jesus
Christ.
I have felt that being in the
food service industry has given me hundreds of opportunities to reach
out to many students with the love of Christ because I work on a
University campus as a supervisor in the food service industry and come
into contact with hundreds of students each day.
One day out of the blue a
student gave me a puzzle that I had given many of them to solve in the
hopes also that they would go to
www.pittsburghstandard.com
and read the religious articles. Above the puzzle she had left a Bible
verse for me from Romans 8:31-32 which I needed. She told me what it
says too.
"What,
then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be
against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us
all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all
things?" (Romans 8:31-32, NIV)
That verse really ministered to
me and still ministers to me.
If I had let pride take over my
life then being in the food service industry would not have been
appealing to me with all my degrees and minors.
This does not mean I have not
lost opportunities because I have but I would rather lose opportunities
whether it is in a career, academia, or even in relationships if I can
be at peace where the Lord keeps me.
Herod could have lost his
friends but he could have done what is right by telling Herodias’
daughter, ‘sorry I made a mistake, anything but that’ but his pride got
to him.
Pride got to me many times too.
I did not dare touch Psychology because I felt Psychology had no place
for Christians nor did I touch Philosophy but eventually when I humbled
myself before the Lord, I had no problem going into Psychology and also
was able to counsel many broken hearts with the love of Christ. Whether
they were involved in pornography, sexual abuse, verbal abuse,
relational breakdown, etc the Lord sent all them my way to counsel and
minister to them. Eventually, I went on to become a campus minister for
a college fellowship (www.ivcf.org).
I also studied aspects of Philosophy and specialized in Apologetics (the
defense of the Christian faith) from a philosophical point of view. I
wanted to reach the students before the Philosophy professors instilled
doubts in them. I have ahd opportunities to do that and I thank the Lord
so much.
My Indian Hindu friends were
more shocked than my American friends because I was Indian and went into
campus ministry and into the Food Service Industry. It was
surprising for my dad too because ever since I was young I wanted to go
to Harvard Law School and become a lawyer. That changed in my junior
year of college and eventually I went on to work with InterVarsity
Christian Fellowship. Yet, the Lord has given me opportunities to study
law classes expand my academic horizons where I am at. Last semester, I
have had wonderful opportunities to get to know the students from Campus
Crusade for Christ and still see some during the summer and chat.
I do not think it would have
happened if I had pride and thought to myself that I am Indian and
Indians usually go into computer science, engineering, or being doctors,
etc not the food service industry. This does not mean those who pursue
prestigious careers do not have opportunities. Neither does it mean they
are the only careers out there for people. I have friend who are
pursuing engineering, medicine, law, etc and still love the Lord Jesus
so much and want to do things for His honor and glory!
Personally, I knew if I humbled
myself and went into a field that was not highly respected in the Indian
community, it would be very difficult for marriage but I trust in the
Lord and depend on Him to give me the One He chooses for me as I tell
him all I desire.
I am once again reminded of
Romans 8:31-32:
"What, then, shall we say in response to
this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his
own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with
him, graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:31-32, NIV)
Pride is about self and self can
destroy relationships. When pride is at the forefront, usually
accomplishments are emphasized because we think 'what our parents may
think, what our friends may think, etc if I go into this field, if I do
this job, if I date this person, or if I decide to marry this person.'
Worse yet, 'what may others
think if I am with this guy or girl when they do not meet the standards
of my parents, friends, etc.'
We want others approval so much,
many times we give up what we desire or even know maybe right for us.
Has that
happened to you friend?
I know it has happened to me. It
is easy to happen when our focus is taken of the Lord and we become so
self-absorbed. If it has happened, confess and repent of it to the Lord
and let Him work in your life. He will friend!
Just because you become a
follower of Christ does not mean Jesus will send you into some far off
country when you humble yourself before Him. That is the enemy’s lies
and wants you to think if you give your life to Christ in humility you
will be made to do things that you do not like.
Friend, the Lord has given us
free will even as Christians and will not force us to do something. If
He convicts you of something He wants you to do, accomplish, or become
it is because of His love for you and He knows what will be better for
you in the long run even if you feel you do not like something for the
moment.
He is the Author of Life and
knows about our life. I have found that we will sometimes come to love
things that we never would have as we focus on the Lord and His love for
us transforms us that what He wants become our own desires. I never
thought I would love Psychology but that changed in God's timing as I
sought the Lord.
I would be wrong to say that I
have not struggled sometimes with my job but I am happy. It has not been
about the money for me. It never was and the Lord has always provided.
Of course our flesh will make us
think things we would not have thought as we walk in the Spirit.
I have had thoughts that I had
to put behind me such as, “Maybe if I remained a Hindu and got this
prestigious job, I would have been able to marry a beautiful Indian girl
long time ago” or “Not having a prestigious job can be so hard to find
the right person to marry since Indian culture emphasizes a lot about
prestige.”
If I dwelt on those thoughts it
would have affected my relationship with the Lord and I would have
started to question the Lord and His ways.
I am so happy the Lord has
chosen me and since He has chosen me and I continue to do things in
faith, whatever happens I know I am under His precious care whatever
area of my life it is. I know if I am doing things in faith thinking
they are what the Lord wants me to do even if I mess up He will correct
it before it is too late. He will take me in another direction! Thank
you Jesus!
Sometimes we have to put
thoughts aside so they do not affect our actions. I put them aside and
glorify Jesus and praise Jesus for saving me and providing an
opportunity to do what brings Him glory on campus, glory through the
newspaper, and through my job He has blessed me with. I know where the
Lord has called, He will always provide by equipping, enabling, and
empowering.
It is in Jesus Christ and in Him
alone can we truly be humble. This will make a huge difference in our
relationships whether they are with our Heavenly Father, with family,
with friends including boyfriend-girl/ husband-wife relationships. Jesus
will take care of us when we depend on Him and not our pride.
I decided to look at some of the
verses dealing with pride.
“But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was
unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to
burn incense on the altar of incense.” (2 Chronicles 26:16, NIV)
“Then Hezekiah repented of the pride of his heart, as did the people of
Jerusalem; therefore the LORD's wrath did not come upon them during the
days of Hezekiah.” (2 Chronicles 32:26, NIV)
“In
his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no
room for God.” (Psalm 10:4, NIV)
“To
fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior
and perverse speech.” (Proverbs 8:13, NIV)
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
(Proverbs 11:2, NIV)
“Pride only
breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”
(Proverbs 13:10, NIV)
“Pride goes
before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18,
NIV)
“A
man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.”
(Proverbs 29:23, NIV)
“But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was
deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory.” (Daniel 5:20,
NIV)
“What
causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires
that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill
and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You
do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not
receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you
get on your pleasures….That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the
proud but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves, then, to God.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he
will come near to you….Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will
lift you up.” (James 4:1-3, 6-8, 10)
Friend after having my
devotional with the Lord learning about pride, I do not think that
anyone who does a prestigious job are not doing God’s will. There are
those who do prestigious jobs according to the world’s standards and yet
are doing God’s will because the Lord has called them to that. Maybe one
day I may be doing a prestigious job according to the world’s standards
if it is in the will of God for me.
Personally, I think those who
are pastors/campus ministers/priests, etc have a prestigious job because
they are doctors of the souls whom the Lord has placed in people’s paths
to lead them to Him and away from the enemy. Not only that, I believe
when people’s souls are saved, their earthly life changes too because
they seek after the Lord Jesus Christ and His will. If everybody seeks
after the Lord in the professions they are in then we would have a much
better world than the world we live in. If the Lord calls me back into
full-time ministry I am willing to go whether it be with InterVarsity,
Campus Crusade for Christ, or wherever! I want to wait upon Him in
humility and so should you whatever you are doing so you can know what
the Lord wants for you!
If we however go our own way to
achieve our prestige without consulting the Lord, that’s where problems
arise. Because of that somewhere in the world peoples’ relationships
incredibly dissolve everyday! For us not to be a cause of it, we should
ask Jesus Christ to reign in our lives and reign in over all our dreams,
etc!
May you know that Jesus Christ
will help you handle the pride of the flesh and fill you with the peace
of the Holy Spirit! Amen!
“Peoples’
Relationships Incredibly Dissolve Everyday!” (P.R.I.D.E)/”What
has pride done to you?”
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, my Lord and Savior, thank you so much for your love in
our lives. Oh Lord, I learned this week about Herod and his actions.
Lord, he let his pride come in the way of saving John the Baptists'
life. Forgive us Oh Lord because we have let pride come in the way of
relationships and especially our relationship with you when we have
thought what other people think if they know we know you Lord. Forgive
us! Help us to please present you to those around us. Help us to be
humble and depend on you than letting pride take control of our lives.
You Oh Lord know what we are faced with and we need your intervention
and help so please help us Lord. We pray right now for the one who is
suffering and down because of things happening in their lives because
they have humbled themselves before you and the world sees it as bad.
Thank you that you will give them strength to endure and go on with you
on their side. Help them to have your joy in their lives and help us all
to humble ourselves before you knowing you will lift us up for that is
your promise! Thank you so much Jesus! Thank you for hearing us and
answering us! We acknowledge you as our Lord and Personal Savior! Thank
you for dying for our sin and coming back to life to save us. Touch and
heal hearts Oh Lord. Thank you so much Jesus you have heard our prayers
and answered us! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!
