It’s Not About Adequacy: It Is About Attitude

CONTROL YOURSELF - Integration * Proficiencies * Behaviors

Proverbs 11:2 (AMP) When swelling and pride come, then emptiness and shame come also, but with the humble (those who are lowly, who have been pruned or chiseled by trial, and renounce self) are skillful and godly Wisdom and soundness.

The Amplified Version gives real insight into the processes that may lead to humility – note the “may.” Some going through these pruning processes or the pounding of the chisel working on their character respond with bitterness and pride. I know. Been there myself.

Apostle Peter was there: remember in the courtyard when his pride, expressed in the Upper Room, (“Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.”) stood in the way of his behavior? Why? As Lloyd Ogilvie points out “Peter had built his relationship with Jesus Christ on his assumed capacity to be adequate.” Pride.

Authentic leaders display a humble heart because they are grounded in the God who does not change and are centered in His love for them that does not result from some quid pro quo behaviors –“if I do this and that God will love me.”

Are you living and leading (behaving) to gain His love or because of His love?


Copyright ©2010 by P. Griffith Lindell

What are the pillars of your life?

CONTROL YOURSELF - Integration * Proficiencies * Behaviors

Proverb 9:1 (AMP) WISDOM HAS built her house; she has hewn out and set up her seven [perfect number of] pillars.

I am reminded of the Outback Steakhouse ad slogan: “No Rules. Just Right.” This begs the question: Is there “right” without rules? Our society would say so. What is right is defined by YOU. Only you.

Scripture has built her house. Finished. Done. With seven pillars – the perfect number of pillars – and we could speculate, theologically, what those might be.

I’ll ask you. What seven pillars of God-formulated Wisdom are you using to build the behaviors in your life?

Copyright ©2010 by P. Griffith Lindell