Examples of Foolish Pride

Scripture: But these people slander whatever they do not understand, and they are destroyed by those things that, like irrational animals, they know by instinct. Woe to them! For they go the way of Cain, and abandon themselves to Balaam’s error for the sake of gain, and perish in Korah’s rebellion. Jude 1:10-11

Observation: As Jude calls out certain members of the church for their wrong thinking, he gets specific about their errors. He blames them of obeying their worldly instinct and not the instructions of God. He then aligns them to three Old Testament figures:

-- Cain, who withholds his best offering and jealously murders his brother

-- Balaam, who accepted money to curse the chosen people

-- Korah, who challenged the priestly structure pronounced by Moses

All three suffered from greed and pride, hand in hand. Cain wanted to keep the best of his flock for himself, but was angry when his offering was therefore rejected as inferior. Balaam was personally instructed by the Lord about the Israelites, but wanted the money offered him and was proud of how kings turned to him for help. Korah declared himself and others as equally holy and thus fully allowed to serve in any capacity they desired.

In all three cases, these people - again motivated by their greed and pride - reject God's authority. Cain didn't want to give God the best of his offering; Balaam didn't want to obey instructions to not accept the king's money; Korah didn't want to accept others as priestly leaders. As Jude says in verse 8, such people "defile the flesh, reject authority, and slander the glorious ones."

Application: This, too, is how my pride manifests ... I reject God's authority in my daily life and take actions I know to be wrong, simply because I can choose to do so.

In all circumstances, I can choose to turn to God for instruction and guidance and direction, or I can use my own 'instinct' and intelligent - or may just my prideful will - and decide for myself what course of action to take. Far too often, I take the latter path.

God's instructions are clear ... turn to him and follow his plan and path, for he loves me and wants what is best for me. My lack of understanding, and my personal pride that seeks authority, position, status, or wealth, must not guide my actions. In my own life, these actions cause me pain and trouble. However, especially if I apply these to my actions toward others, I would then be operating in a manner far outside of Jesus' love for believers, and for all mankind.

Prayer: Lord, I confess again today that it is my own pride that causes me to sin and to take actions and express thoughts I know in my heart to be wrong. Please forgive my sin, and my pride. I wish to seek your will, and then obey that will, both in my daily walk, and in my ongoing life journey with you. Amen.