Pride by E. Hilliard

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 3, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 14.

Pride.

By E. Hilliard

SATAN was not satisfied with his position in Heaven. He was moved with envy and jealousy and he aspired to a more lofty position. He said, I will be like the Most High. The cherishing of this desire led to open rebellion, and finally his expulsion from Heaven. It was his proud heart that closed the gates of Heaven against him. Pride is the most natural and the most difficult sin that we have to contend with. Satan well knew the strongest temptation that he could place before the woman in the garden of Eden. He said to her, "In the day ye eat thereof then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." It was a desire for a more exalted position that led to the fall of our race, and that has brought all the misery and woe into our world.

When we consider that pride sprung forth from pure hearts in Heaven and perfect hearts in Paradise, do we wonder that it permeates the souls of men to-day? Pride dwells almost supreme in the carnal heart, from the tramp that begs at our door, to the king that sits upon his throne. Often God lays the hand of affliction kindly upon us to press us back into our proper sphere. Many miss their position of humility by chafing under the chastening rod.

Self-exaltation often arises by dwelling upon our own virtues and ability. The spirit of God sometimes works upon the mind and quickens the mental faculties, and enables one to accomplish something for the Master. Self then steps in and takes the honor, thus robbing God of the glory that is his due, and denying the help he has so graciously given us. Under these circumstances can we, when again in need, with any degree of confidence ask for his assistance? God is merciful and kind, but he does not like to have his kindness abused.

If we watch as we should against sin and mistakes, we will have no time to dwell upon our own good deeds. Could we see the record of our lives in the books of Heaven, and there behold the long list of our evil works, we would be ashamed to look upon the few good acts we have performed.

The prophet Samuel said to Saul, "When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast not thou made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel?" This once humble and noble king soon became exalted, and followed the inclination of his own proud heart, which led him on to a lamentable death.

Pride is a terrible sin. So deeply is it rooted in the human heart that nothing but the most sedulous efforts, accompanied by the grace of God, can ever remove it. It is a hard sin to get at. It often comes to us dressed in the garments of humility. This is the most dangerous kind. It weaves its meshes so securely around us that we sometimes find ourselves firmly and yet almost unconsciously fastened in the net.

Bunyan says in his "Pilgrim's Progress," that it is a very difficult matter to get down into the valley of humility, but when once there, it is a very beautiful and pleasant place. If reproof, affliction, and persecution will help us to descend the rocky steep into this pleasant valley, then let us praise God for such help. If the heart rebels against any of these helps, then we can know that pride and self rules, and that we are climbing up the pathway to the barren hills of despair. E. HILLIARD.