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
Thursday, February 11, 2010
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1 comment:
Well Griff, although I would like to convince myself that I KNOW that there is nothing I can do to make God love me more or make Him love me less, I still in my humanity strive to do some things for that very purpose.
Most of us can identify with Peter and his pride. Like Paul we often recall our failures (that chisel and prune us) so that we will not repeat them, which keeps us humble.
So, yes I do live and lead BECAUSE of His love, even though my humanity wants me to do it for His love.
Most of us want to "win" the favor of those we love. That is what the courtship ritual is all about. I think part of that is because we just cannot believe they could love us just for who we are. Or at the very least we want to get noticed.
But God does love us for who we are. Knowing that has made all the difference in the world or rather in my humanity. That is what directs my behavior, because I know it pleases Him more than it gives me special favor.
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