Life 101: Pride and Humility

Proud to be Americans...Proud to be Filipinos...almost all nations are proud of their independence and society.

Most people exalt their pride by saying how proud they are of their achievements. How many times we say it?

Have we forgotten the famous reminder: "InGod, WeTrust"?

There are two kinds of proud persons in this world, the first will be those who are rich in material things while the others are those rich in spiritual fulfillment. Most of the people belonging to the first group are proud of their achievements while the latter are humble of their achievements with the Lord.

I've seen how pride destroyed our relationship with our relatives.I felt estranged whenever I see my cousins who already built grudges against my mother.

It just started with land disputes and the outcome became more dimmer when it comes to dealing with them harmoniously.

I've read how pride separated many nations by engaging into wars. No one triumphed on such dark episodes in human lives.

Pride carries with it a self-destructive power that will go against who wield it. That is why the Bible cautions us against it.

A review of the Holy Scriptures reveals God's attitude toward Pride and Humility.

1. Proverbs 16:5 - "Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; assuredly, he will not go unpunished."
2. Proverbs 16:18 - "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before stumbling."
3. James 4:6 says God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

In contrast, notice how attitude of humility is exalted.

1. Proverbs 11:2 - "When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom."
2. Proverbs 16:19 - "It is better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud."
3. Matthew 23 - Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted."

A person who chooses to depend on God lives a life of humility.He understands that there is a Being who holds every life in his hands. He understands that knowledge, strength, and wealth come from God and surely, there is a limit to his life.

In trusting God, he experiences peace, and cultivates a thankful heart.

His perspective in life and work changed positively as he considers himself just a steward who's managing God's property in this world.

The story of famous inventor Samuel Morse tells us how humble he was by saying, "More than me, and whoever I could not see my way clearly, I knelt down and prayed to God for light and understanding."

He furthermore said: "I have made a valuable application of electricity not because I was superior to other men but solely because God, who meant it for mankind, must reveal it to someone and He was pleased to revel it to me."

To be humble or to be proud is always a choice for people.

How many human errors resulted into destruction and wasted human lives? There are many to cite, isn't it?

Pride always cause failures and destruction to mankind.

When our first parents, Adam and Eve, succumbed to the temptation of Evil (through the serpent), it was then that pride was instilled in their hearts and handed down to generation.Good thing, conscience will always control it as we seek forgiveness to the Lord whenever we commit mistakes because of pride. We humbled ourselves whenever we admit that we are week to temptations.

I remember the maiden voyage of my first-ever commercial ship. I went on board as a cook trainee. From Japan, the tanker ship went to Daesan port in South Korea for loading operation then proceeded to Hongkong for discharging. The ship suffered a bent on its aft or rear part when the ship following us purposely bumped us during channeling at the Hongkong harbor. During our safety meeting, our captain related that it was an episode of pride and foolishness in the part of the officers and crew of the other ship.