Do
you ever struggle with insecurity? It is a common tool of the devil
in trying to defeat all of us from time to time. Surprisingly, did
you know that self-loathing,
self-consciousness, and self-disgust are actually just fruits of the
same tree that produces self-absorption, self-promotion, and
self-centeredness?
They
all spring from the
tree of pride!
Proverbs 28:25 offers us a glimpse into the tree of pride. Listen carefully to the structure of this proverb: "He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat." In other words, the opposite of a proud heart is someone who "putteth his trust in the Lord." Therefore, pride is "self-trust." Faith is "God-trust."
The tree of pride has two main branches: Self-promotion and self-loathing (insecurity). Self-promotion is when we trust in ourselves and are happy with the results. "I did it my way!"
The other branch of pride, insecurity, is when we trust in ourselves and are unhappy with the results. "I can't do anything right. I'm a failure. I'm not as good as everyone else."
But faith (Christ-dependence) is a different tree altogether! Faith recognizes that all abilities are from God. When God gets all the credit, there is no longer room for self-promotion or self-loathing. We do not get credit for our successes, nor do we take the blame for abilities we may not posses.
Proverbs 28:25 offers us a glimpse into the tree of pride. Listen carefully to the structure of this proverb: "He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat." In other words, the opposite of a proud heart is someone who "putteth his trust in the Lord." Therefore, pride is "self-trust." Faith is "God-trust."
The tree of pride has two main branches: Self-promotion and self-loathing (insecurity). Self-promotion is when we trust in ourselves and are happy with the results. "I did it my way!"
The other branch of pride, insecurity, is when we trust in ourselves and are unhappy with the results. "I can't do anything right. I'm a failure. I'm not as good as everyone else."
But faith (Christ-dependence) is a different tree altogether! Faith recognizes that all abilities are from God. When God gets all the credit, there is no longer room for self-promotion or self-loathing. We do not get credit for our successes, nor do we take the blame for abilities we may not posses.
The
more we trust Christ and depend on Him, bringing every thought into
captivity (II Cor. 10:5) and bringing all our needs and hurts to Him
in prayer (I Peter 5:7), the more He gives us the victory over the
ugly monster of insecurity!
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