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Jan 22, 2026 06:00am

Pride in the Right Direction

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It is a lifelong battle. Just when I think I have made some progress, my pride lifts its grotesque head, reminding me of its persistent presence.

In a recent skirmish with my nemesis, I have been asking the Lord to take me to the root of it all. To do surgery there, not merely on the peripheral effects. To deliver me more, if possible, from my constant tendency to exhibit such obnoxious pride.

One practice which seemed to work for David, the sweet shepherd of Israel, is this: KEEP A STEADY GAZE ON GOD.

1 I will thank the Lord with all my heart;

I will declare all your wondrous works.

2 I will rejoice and boast about you;

I will sing about your name, Most High. (Psalm 9:1-2)

The more we “set the Lord continually before (us),” like David in Psalm 16, the more our minds, our hearts, and our mouths are filled with Him, not ourselves.

David thanked the Lord with “all,” i.e., every part of his heart, and he spoke of “all” God’s wondrous works. He boasted about Him and sang about His name. God so filled David’s affection that there was scarcely a corner for himself.

What a contrast to my incessant struggle with the wrong kind of thoughts about me (Do they like me? Was that good? I hope they saw that. Be sure and let everyone know what you’ve done, ad nauseum.) I would never say these words out loud, but I find them running in the background. I do not recognize and resist these temptations from the Devious Whisperer and the Father-of-Pride as I should.

THE THRONE

David often speaks of the throne and the One seated there.

You are seated on Your throne as a righteous judge. (Psalm 9:4b)

But the LORD sits enthroned forever; He has established His throne for judgment. And He judges the world with righteousness; He executes judgment on the nations with fairness. (Psalm 9:7-8)

You would not speak of this so often if you were not living there, in His presence, focused upon Him. This was the cure for David’s pride and mine. A clear look at the throne and the One seated there instantly banishes pride. Living in conscious awareness of His presence; practicing unceasing prayer; a steady infusion of His Word that gives life … all of these keep us focused on Him. Perhaps the remedy is not so much curbing our minds and mouths when tempted to pride, but instantly, and then steadily, looking up.

One glimpse of the King on His throne will do for now. But I will probably need more later in the day to combat the inevitable shifting of my gaze from Him to myself, the infernal whispers of the enemy that I am all-important.

This refrain from a great hymn comes to my heart this morning.

Oh, to be saved from myself, dear Lord.

Oh, to be lost in Thee.

Oh, that it would be no more I,

But Christ who lives in me.

(Adda Whiddington, 1891)

When I researched this hymn’s source, here is the whole text. Take a moment and join me in praying this in.

1 Not I, but Christ be honored, loved, exalted,

Not I, but Christ be seen, be known and heard;

Not I, but Christ in every look and action,

Not I, but Christ in every thought and word.

2 Not I, but Christ to gently soothe in sorrow,

Not I, but Christ to wipe the falling tear;

Not I, but Christ to lift the weary burden,

Not I, but Christ to hush away all fear.

3 Christ, only Christ, no idle word e’er falling,

Christ, only Christ, no needless bustling sound;

Christ, only Christ, no self-important bearing,

Christ, only Christ, no trace of I be found.

4 Not I, but Christ my every need supplying,

Not I, but Christ my strength and health to be;

Christ, only Christ, for spirit, soul, and body,

Christ, only Christ, live then Thy life in me.

5 Christ, only Christ, ere long will fill my vision,

Glory excelling soon, full soon I’ll see;

Christ, only Christ, my every wish fulfilling,

Christ, only Christ, my all in all to be.

(REFRAIN)

Oh, to be saved from myself, dear Lord.

Oh, to be lost in Thee.

Oh, that it would be no more I,

But Christ who lives in me.