The Irony of Weak Pride
"Boasting and self-pity are manifestations of pride. Boasting is the response of pride to success. Self-pity is the response of pride to suffering. Boasting says, 'I deserve admiration because I have achieved so much.' Self-pity says, 'I deserve admiration because I have sacrificed so much.' Boasting is the voice of pride in the heart of the strong. Self-pity is the voice of pride in the heart of the weak. Boasting sounds self-sufficient. Self-pity sounds self-sacrificing. The reason self-pity does not look like pride is that it appears to be needy. But the need arises from a wounded ego and the desire of the self-pitying is no really for others to see them as helpless, but heroes. The need self-pity feels does not come from a sense of unworthiness, but from a sense of unrecognized worthiness. It is the response of unapplauded pride."
-from Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian hedonist by John Piper
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2 comments:
Lewis called pride "the complete anti-God state of mind". Behind every sin bar none is pride.
Conversely, humility is the state of mind that puts God at the helm and takes one's place in His order seriously. It's what Paul was talking about when he said that no one should think of himself more highly than he ought: noticeably absent is a command to think of ourselves of less value than others. It is excessive self-attention that considers us lower as well as higher than we ought. What's more, undervaluing God's atonement for us is telling God that we know our place better than He does; humility is based on our acknowledgment that God is in control of even us. In short, overwrought humility is pride as much as self-exaltation and self-pity.
Good quote!
One of my favorite books is an Anthology of quotes from C.S. Lewis. He had such a gift for stating truth that would suprise and enlighten the mind.
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