Proud

246 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Ti 3:1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, (2 Tim 3:1,2) We are looking at these strength sapping influences and behaviors that will plague the church until our Lord returns. Today, let's look at men being proud. Whereas the boasters manage to exist without being the least bit productive in the kingdom, the proud are those who look down their snoot at any and all other Christians. The prideful church can actually be accomplishing things that are good for the kingdom, the problem is, they will let everyone (including God) know about it! This attitude is best portrayed in the parable of the Pharisee and the publican spoken of in Lu 18:9-14 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men--extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 'I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' 13 "And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' 14 "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Jesus was not disappointed with the things the Pharisee was doing, it was his attitude of pride! This attitude nullified every good thing he was doing. So it is with the prideful church. Is your church doing well in well doing? That's wonderful! But it is by no means anything to brag about. Jesus said in Lu 17:7-10, "And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'? 8 "But will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink'? 9 "Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. 10 "So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'" Pride sucks the strength out of a church because the motivation is to make yourself look good! It is self-reliance, rather than Jesus reliance and 2Co 10:17 reminds us: "Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord."