Breaking the Bondage of Pride and Insecurity

January 12, 2022

Break the bondage of pride and insecurity!

Breaking the Bondage of Pride and Insecurity

By Brooke Holt

“For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,’ that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.” - 1 Corinthians 12:14-20

If there wasn’t the issue of comparison between people before the advent of social media, then there surely is now! Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have us comparing our vacations, our children, even our dogs online. Just in case you were wondering, that was never God’s intent. I am certainly not implying that God is against social media; that is something between you and him. What I am saying is that God longs for us to work together in unity and harmony. Comparisons lead to unhealthy judgments and divisions instead of unity and harmony.

In Psalm 139, God reveals his work in the creation of you. You were knit together in your mother’s womb by the hand of God. Unlike us, the Lord has no bad days. When he was dreaming of you and knitting your being together, he wasn’t distracted or feeling a little run down. He was focused, on task, and completely in sync with his plan. You are his handiwork! (Ephesians 2:10). Even before you said a word, he had a plan for your life. Everything about you is created to work together with his Holy Spirit to activate that plan.

As God’s creation, you are no better and no worse than those you despise or those you envy. In fact, you need those whom you resent just as they need you. Likewise, you need those whom you look down upon just as much as they need you. In God’s kingdom, there is no room for pride nor is there room insecurity. Read Paul’s words again, “God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose” (v. 18).

There is a plan for God’s people to live interdependently. Problems arise and then abound in the church when we compare, resent, envy, or resist this mutuality of the body. May God’s plan for unity and harmony in the body begin with you today!

Reflection:
Can you take some time today to repent of the sin of comparing yourself to others, then ask the Lord how he wants you to receive from his body and how he wants you to give to his body? You belong in the body! You are wanted and needed! We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Related Resource:

Jesus calls the Holy Spirit a "gift" who will guide us, lead us, and empower us. Yet many believers don't experience the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This unique Christian small group Bible study provides a space in which we can explore what it truly means to "walk in the Spirit" on a daily basis. The Spirit-Filled Life small group curriculum centers on a 6-part video teaching series examining the life-giving and creative work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Begin to experience the gift today!