Beech Tree News Network

When Paul wrote the Romans, he exhorted them, “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly …” (Rom. 12:3). We must be careful not to think more highly of ourselves than we should. Many end up losing their influence, friends, and eventually their soul because they are filled with pride. Let us look at some people who thought too highly of themselves, and learn how we should not act.

    Luke 18:9-14 records the parable of a Pharisee and a Publican who had come into the temple to pray. The Pharisee prayed, “God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess” (Lk. 18:11-12). Luke 18:13 records the publican’s demeanor and prayer: “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.”

    What was missing from the Pharisee’s prayer? It was humility! We need to be careful lest we fall into the same trap as the Pharisee! Too many act as if they are above sin. Let us not become so arrogant that we think we have not sinned (Prov. 6:17; I Pet. 5:5-6; I Jn. 1:8, 10)!

    When Peter was on the rooftop in Joppa, he saw a vision of a sheet-like object being lowered down, and a voice saying, “Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.” Peter refused! God said, “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common” (Acts 10:11-15). Put simply, here is an occasion where Peter was refusing to obey the Lord. When the Lord told him to do something, he said, “Not so, Lord” (Acts 10:13, 16)!

    Peter repented of his attitude and became the first to bring the salvation message to the Gentiles (Acts 10:28, 15:7). If we have a proud attitude that says, “Not so” to God, let us repent and humble ourselves before it is too late (I Pet. 5:5-6)!

    Many remember the parable of the prodigal son (Lk. 15:11-32). However, let us focus on the elder brother in Luke 15:25-32. In Luke 15:28-30, the father asks his eldest son to come in. “And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.”

    This brother had a very bad attitude. He was so arrogant that he refused to even acknowledge his brother as his brother (v. 30). His attitude was one of being “holier than thou.” He was a liar also. He had the gall to say that he had never transgressed his father’s law (Lk. 15:29). That is hard to believe in light of Romans 3:23; I John 1:8 and 10, etc.!

    These examples are given to show us how NOT to act. These people had the wrong attitude toward God and His law. However, they could be forgiven, if they repented of what they had done (Acts 17:30). So can we! Let us not be guilty of thinking too highly of ourselves.

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program on 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167