“Six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19). “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility” (Proverbs 18:12). “Lord my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me” (Psalm 131:1).
Could we display a haughty attitude toward others? Could we have this proud look? There are some who must have this attitude or look consider what Jesus taught in this parable, “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess, And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exaltheth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 18:10-14). Could there be people today who have the same attitude as the Pharisee? Could there be people within the church of Christ that have the attitude of the Pharisee? Could this be my attitude?
James warned of favoring one person over another, “For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and thee come in also a poor man in vile raiment; and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool” Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Harken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not blaspheme that worth name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal law according to the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors” (James 2:2-9).
Self-examination is what God has directed us to do, “Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Corinthians 13:5). If we are to examine ourselves could we find that our attitude might be a touch toward a haughty attitude or a proud look? Could we favor one person over another because of their clothes? Could we favor another person over another person for any reason? God said that this is wrong! Unless we make some changes in our attitude we will not make it to that mansion Jesus is preparing!
We must make some changes if we have a haughty look or if we are proud. We must make changes if we are prejudice against another. Why is it that we must change because God hates this kind of look or that kind of attitude! Warning is sounded from God. Change now if there is a need.
Love, Keith
