Truth Month - July 2024
Day 11 - Self-control is a Virtue; Pride is a Sin
It used to be that a person with self-control was highly revered. Rash behavior, violence, cruelty, and lack of personal restraint was condemned. On the other hand, pride was considered to be one of the "deadly sins". While sometimes it is good to be proud of virtuous behavior and unselfish accomplishments, there is a dark side to pride that destroys and can eat away the soul of the prideful person. Historically, it was inconceivable that immoral behavior was something to be acclaimed and celebrated.
But now we as a culture have dedicated a whole month each year to celebrating Pride, but nothing comparable for the virtuous. Maybe we should ask ourselves, "Pride in what?" Are we exalting something that is praiseworthy and virtuous? Is this something that should be promoted at every level of government? Are these proclamations forced through because politicians are afraid to stand up for what is right and true, and thus bow to external pressures to concede the moral high ground. It is hard to see why we should have pride in our civilization's widespread embrace of relativistic morality, where everyone just does what they think is right in their own eyes and where there are no objective standards of right and wrong. Ironically, the activists don't consistently embrace relativism, since they claim that it is objectively wrong to say that there are limits on the religion of sexuality, and that equity, justice, and diversity are foundational truths that we all must embrace. In fact, they hold to these truths so tightly that they actively squash dissenting views and speech whenever possible.
When we have a proper view of ourselves, then we can boast in what God has allowed us to achieve and become. Remember,
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
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