Steve Jones Ministries

P.O. Box 58
Chandler, TX 75758
ph: 903-849-4459

How Love Behaves pt.3

Love is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. 1 Cornthians 13:4

There is a big difference between being boastful and giving your testimony.  The definition of boast according to Websters dictionary is "to talk about deeds, abilities, etc., either ones own or those of someone close to one, in a manner showing too much pride and satisfaction".

In the World Book Dictionary it says, "to praise oneself".  Pride comes before destruction.  We need to change.  Sometimes we need to make some little changes; little adjustments in our thinking, attitude, the way we live and do things.  Sometimes we need major adjustments.  Sometimes we have to do a 180. 

And the ability to perceive and make these changes makes all the difference in your ability to receive from God.  How much you can receive is going to determine how quickly you develop.  The degree of your humility will determine your usefulness to God! 

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.  (1 Peter 5:5-6) 

Without God’s grace can we be a true success?  The humble get the grace.  The more proud you are the more full of yourself you are.  The more full of yourself you are the less full of God you are.  By God’s grace you have redemption, wisdom, favor, strength, innovative ideas, ability, anointing, and on and on. 

The opposite of humility is pride.  The most proud is the most blind.  When you run out of humility that is as far as God can use you.  Pride is the nature of the flesh.  When you realize you are talking about yourself stop and ask yourself why.  Are you being led by the Holy Spirit to do this?

This does not mean you can never talk about yourself or your achievements.  Just check inside yourself first to see what the Holy Spirit would have you say.  Here are three evidences of pride. 

Pride is not a good listener/Pride is an interrupter.

  • Some people seem to be listening but really they are thinking about what they are going to say next and when they speak, it will be in the form of an interruption.  I've done a bit of counseling and I noticed a large percent of the time counseling was not being received because they would not listen. 
Talking about yourself all the time.
  • Are you the subject of all your conversations? 

Pride has to be noticed.

  • Does the music have to stop because you entered the room?  Pride also shows up in embarrassment, hurt feelings and anger.  How well do you handle being ignored?  Do you have to be center of attention?  Do you have to tell your experience all the time?
  • When we walk in love we will not be boastfull.  We will not think of ourself more highly than we ought to.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P.O. Box 58
Chandler, TX 75758
ph: 903-849-4459