of pride and pastiness

The other night I watched "Inside the Actors Studio" with Jason Bateman as the guest interviewee. When asked what his biggest turn-on was, he answered, "Humility." His biggest turn-off? "Pride." Then he said something like, "Well, unsubstantiated pride."

I have to say I'm right there with him on the first two counts. Nothing turns me off more than pride. In myself and in others.

Pride goes before destruction,

And a haughty spirit before a fall.

Better to be of a humble spirit with the

lowly,

than to divide the spoil with the

proud.

Proverbs 16:18-19

Pride damages in so many ways; it is the root that grows wide before deep. It is shallow and is pulled up quickly, to reveal our greatest inadequacy: our drive to self-preserve. It's our biggest deceiver. It's an appetite that just grows hungrier and hungrier and needs more and more feeding. Verse 19 to me conjures up jackals in a feeding frenzy, bloodthirsty creatures fighting tooth and nail against other animals who are all fueled by desire to possess the kill.

Humility starves us of ourselves. It says we have no claim to anything other than a life hidden in Christ. Humility waits in quiet confidence and looks to the Lord for satisfaction of hunger. Humility leads us to peace, a happy trusting in the Lord. Low in humility, under the covering of our God. Hidden in Christ in the midst of the storms.

A perverse man sows strife,

And a whisperer separates the best of

friends.

Proverbs 16:28

Self-interest is the great universal motive. Pride fuels self-interest. Pride sows strife. Pride sows gossip. Gossip can wreck out trust, friendships, callings. And most of the time it's only serving self-interest.

Humility is losing our self-interest. The Holy Spirit fuels humility. Humility sows peace. Humility sows unity.

The heart of the wise teaches his

mouth,

And adds learning to his lips.

The person who labors, labors for

himself,

For his hungry mouth drives him on.

Proverbs 16: 23, 26

My other big turn-off is pastiness. Sound shallow? I really don't like to be pale. It means I haven't been in the sun, and to not be outdoors for extended periods of time is something that makes my spirit sad. What about paleness of our spirit? What does that look like? When we crowd out the Holy Spirit with our own self-interest, where does that leave us?

A man's pride will bring him low,

But the humble in spirit will retain

honor.

Proverbs 29:23

Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

"God resists the proud,

But gives grace to the humble."

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

1 Peter 5: 5b-7 (emphasis mine)

And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

"I will dwell in them

And walk among them

I will be their God,

and they shall be My people."

Therefore

"Come out from among them

and be separate, says the Lord.

Do not touch what is unclean,

and I will receive you."

I will be a Father to you,

and you shall be My sons and

daughters,

Says the LORD Almighty."

2 Corinthians 6:16-18

Humbleness of heart brings us into oneness with Christ. What more is there? What more do we want?

The work of righteousness will be

peace;

And the effect of righteousness,

quietness and assurance forever.

Isaiah 32:17