Pride is a strange and sometimes awkward element in the power structure of human personality. It has a way of becoming the dominant source of motivation in everything we do. It can come across as being obnoxious or it can blend discreetly into life's achievements. Pride can be expressed in a humble way or it can over-advertise its greatness. When pride and arrogance form an unholy alliance the end result is uncouth and distasteful. When pride and patience make peace the result is impressive. Pride that is noisy and boastful is insecure. Pride that quietly waits its turn projects confidence. No one is ever farther from success than he or she who allows a pompous attitude to prevail. No one is less loved than the person who allows pride to intimidate others.

Pride has strong possibilities for serving God, yet it often becomes the tool of Satan. At its best, pride can give us a deep sense of self-respect. It can guard us against inferior thinking and crude behavior. Healthy pride keeps us from lowering our standards. It helps us to stay focused on things that are high and holy. At its worst, however, pride makes us vulnerable to many sinful suggestions. Because it tends to feed our selfish inclinations, pride represents our greatest potential for sin. In subtle ways the powers of evil are prepared to use our pride to engineer our spiritual demise. If pride cannot be convinced to do the immoral and irreligious it will perform the hypocritical and sanctimonious. Pride of the spirit can be just as damaging as pride of the flesh. A proud religiosity which makes us feel spiritually superior is nothing but Satan's song with a religious beat.

What then do we do with pride? How can we use it to make our lives more wholesome and productive? What steps can be taken to release this potent energy in positive ways? We bring it to the cross by learning to deny our tendency to impress. We seek that true humility which allows us to honestly evaluate ourselves. In brokenness we find relief from our need to know it all, do it all and conquer all. We can relax knowing we no longer have to compete for anyone's attention or for God's approval. After all, whatever goodness, gifts and skills we have, they come from God. Therefore our pride is absorbed in the awareness that God has graciously equipped us for whatever we achieve, therefore, "to God be the glory."