July 16, 2008: "The Tongue and Pride"

God’s conviction in my life concerning the exercise of my tongue (see James 3:1-12) continues. I found a list of “manifestations of pride” and immediately noticed that quite a few of them are directly or indirectly connected with the tongue. James 3:5 says, “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts (there’s the pride) of great things.”
I encourage you to read over the list prayerfully, inviting the kind, convicting, freeing work of the Spirit to lead you to repent where needed. Here is the list:

1. Complaining against or passing judgment on God (see Exodus 17).

2. A lack of gratitude in general.

3. Anger.

4. Seeing yourself as better than others.

5. Having an inflated view of your importance, gifts and abilities.

6. Perfectionism.

7. Talking too much.

8. Being focused on the lack of your gifts and abilities.

9. Talking too much about yourself.

10. Seeking independence or control.

11. Being consumed with what others think.

12. Being devastated or angered by criticism.

13. Being un-teachable.

14. Being sarcastic, hurtful, or degrading.

15. A lack of service.

16. A lack of compassion.

17. Being defensive or blame-shifting.

18. A lack of admitting when you are wrong.

19. A lack of asking for forgiveness.

20. A lack of biblical prayer.

21. Resisting authority or being disrespectful.

22. Voicing opinions of preferences when not asked.

23. Minimizing your own sin and shortcomings.

24. Maximizing others sin and shortcomings.

25. Being impatient or irritable with others.

26. Being jealous or envious.

27. Using others.

28. Being deceitful by covering up sins, faults, and mistakes.

29. Using attention-getting tactics.

30. Not having close relationships.

“Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you…” 1 Peter 5:5-6