Pride is probably the hardest rock the Lord has to break in the sanctification process of a believer. In the making of a saint, any Christian who honestly thought himself humble has sometime or other had to face reality squarely in its face. This big blue whale cannot be hidden in our six- foot figure, but spouts its ugly form at the most unexpected moment. It is so subtle that at times it even takes the form of humility. It is easier to harpoon this Moby Dick if we know him in his complete form. God has described him in the book of Job, chapter 41 and verse 34 as the “king over all the children of pride,” the proudest of the proud. A study of this chapter will expose the various manifestations of pride and help us safeguard our souls from its viles.
V1
“Can you pull in the Leviathan with a fishhook or tie down its tongue with a rope?”
Pride cannot be made to submit to authority. It refuses to bow down to the head at home or in the office. It revolts and rebels. It rebuffs discipline.
V2
"Can you put a cord through its nose or pierce its jaw with a hook?”
Pride resents punishment. Due punishment is looked upon as humiliation rather than a deserving correction. It is unteachable. It never takes any blame on itself.
V3
“Will it keep begging you for mercy? Will it speak to you with gentle words?”
Pride refuses to accept help either spiritual or other, from anyone. It tries to manage all by itsef. It cannot accept its own need but has the I-have-need-of-nothing attitude. It is harsh.
V4
“Will it make an agreement with you for you to take it as your slave for life?”
Pride cannot agree with others. It is difficult to get along with, if there are differences. It refuses to join hands with anyone who does not see eye to eye with it. It would prefer to be served than to serve.
V5
“Can you make a pet of it like a bird or put it on a leash for your girls?”
Pride will never stoop down to the level of its fellows. It keeps itself aloof above them. It will not like to identify itself with the congregation. V6
“Will traders barter for it? Will they divide it up among the merchants?”
Pride will not allow its flesh to be touched. Sacrifice is an unknown term for it. It cannot become meat for others. It hesitates to share blessed experiences for the benefit of others.
V7
“Can you fill its hide with harpoons, or its head with fishing spears?”
Pride will not tolerate any injury inflicted on it knowingly or unknowingly. It will neither forget pain caused nor be ready for reconciliation.
V8
“If you lay a hand on it, you will remember the struggle and never do it again!”
Pride is very touchy. It will burst on you or start crying at the slightest, even unintended, provocation. It is quickly offended and not easily pacified. One has to be very careful with it and not free.
V9
“Any hope of subduing it is false; the mere sight of it is overpowering.”
Pride never gives in. It cannot be hid. Its looks, mannerism and gestures expose its arrogance. Approach to it is difficult.
V10
“No one is fierce enough to rouse it. Who then is able to stand against Me?”
Pride is the fiercest. It evokes fear in its contacts.
V11
“Who has a claim against Me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to Me.” Pride challenges God. It fully believes that God is indebted to do good to it. It questions God. It does not realise that God in His mercy is patient towards it.
V12
“I will not fail to speak of its limbs, its strength and its graceful form.”
Pride misuses the God-given strength, power and beauty. Gifts or talents make it forget God’s unmerited favour. It overacts. It demands appreciation.
V13
“Who can strip off its outer coat? Who would approach it with a bridle?”
Pride wears a mask of humility to conceal its identity. It will be hypocritically saying and doing things to prove that it is after all very humble. It is difficult to control it.
V14
“Who dares open the doors of its mouth, ringed about with its fearsome teeth?”
Pride hates exposure of its short-comings, but is quick to expose others and criticise. It is soft on itself and hard on others.
V15
“Its back has rows of shields tightly sealed together.”
Pride withdraws into its shell in reaction. A petty remark or fun will make it recoil and it refuses to be natural anymore, because it is afraid of making mistakes before others. It wants to be perfect at the start and avoids the painful path of
perfection.
V16
“Each is so close to the next that no air can pass between.”
Pride refuses to use its God-given abilities spontaneously. They remain entombed within and one has to beg and plead with it to gain access to its abilities.
V17
“They are joined fast to one another, they cling together and cannot be parted.”
Pride does not share its problems with others. It lives within itself. One never gets to know what is wrong with it. It would rather brood and backslide than boil over and become better.
V18
“Its snorting throws out flashes of light; its eyes are like the rays of dawn.”
Pride does not take time to consider things. It reacts immediately. Its anger flashes hot as the sun and arises like the sun without any reason.
V19
“Firebrands stream from its mouth; sparks of fire shoot out.”
Pride offends others easily. Its words are sharp and wounding. It talks without consideration to others’ feelings.
V20
“Smoke pours from its nostrils as from a boiling pot over a fire of reeds.”
Pride always suspects and never trusts others.
It is difficult to be convinced. It believes only itself.
V21
“Its breath sets coals ablaze, and flames dart from its mouth.”
Pride affects the entire neighbourhood when it is upset. It never contains itself. It bubbles and boils over and consumes the spiritual qualities of others too.
V22
“Strength resides in its neck, dismay goes before it.”
Pride is stiffnecked. It not only refuses to feel sorry for what it has done but adamantly stamps that it is right and is happy about its state. It resists change. It hesitates to change its old wrong convictions to save its face.
V23
“The folds of its flesh are joined together; they are firm and immovable.”
Pride acts with determination independently and cannot be deterred. It heeds nothing, cares no one. It will not adjust for others. It will not take back. Operation in cooperation is unknown to it.
V24
“Its chest is hard as rock, hard as the lower millstone.”
Pride is unloving and unkind. It refuses to melt at the most touching scene or story. It does not pay attention to pleadings or groanings. It does not relieve the suffering. It cannot feel what others feel.
V25
“When it rises up, the mighty are terrified;
they retreat before its thrashing.”
Pride is cunning. It does not match skill straightforwardly. It takes advantage of its strength and status to oppress or subdue even its companions. It is a fear to its peers. It misuses God-given authority.
V26
“The sword that reaches it has no effect, nor does the spear or the dart or the javelin.”
Pride disdains exhortations. It twists the Scriptures to its convenience. Gives nose-cuts to its well-wishing exhorters and preachers.
V27
“It treats iron like straw and bronze like rotten wood.”
Pride despises superiors. It never recognises the spiritually gifted, rather finds fault with them and mocks at their accomplishments.
V28
“Arrows do not make it flee; slingstones are like chaff to it.”
Pride knows no fear. Neither its own failures nor God’s punishments nor anything makes it tremble before God or His Word or at eternity. It is careless and carefree. It gives excuses for everything (its own explanation).
V29
“A club seems to it but a piece of straw; it laughs at the rattling of the lance.”
Pride cannot believe that any good thing can come out of the weak. It cannot believe that God can use a weak sister or brother. If it sees, it refuses to accept it and tends to analyse and dismiss it. Pride never appreciates or encourages, but expects perfection in others.
V30
“Its undersides are jagged potsherds; leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge.”
Pride disturbs the smoothness, softness, regularity, peace and mouldability where it is. Its sharp edges disturb unity in a community.
V31
"It makes the depths churn like a boiling caldron and stirs up the sea like a pot of ointment.”
Pride is noisy and fidgety. It always wants to make known its presence in a gathering. It wants to be noticed and appreciated. It expects recognition.
V32
“Behind it, it leaves a glistening wake; one would think the deep had white hair.”
Pride wants a monument for itself. It wants to
leave behind something on its name. It wants its name inscribed on all its achievements. It seeks a place in people’s heart.
V33
“ Nothing on earth is its equal – a creature without fear.”
Pride lives in a world of imagination. It compares itself with others and rejoices.
V34
“It looks down on all that are haughty; it is king over all that are proud.”
It keeps itself above all and looks down on everyone.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
Pride is probably the hardest rock the Lord has to break in the sanctification process of a believer. In the making of a saint, any Christian who honestly thought himself humble has sometime or other had to face reality squarely in its face. This big blue whale cannot be hidden in our six- foot figure, but spouts its ugly form at the most unexpected moment. It is so subtle that at times it even takes the form of humility. It is easier to harpoon this Moby Dick if we know him in his complete form. God has described him in the book of Job, chapter 41 and verse 34 as the “king over all the children of pride,” the proudest of the proud. A study of this chapter will expose the various manifestations of pride and help us safeguard our souls from its viles.
V1
“Can you pull in the Leviathan with a fishhook or tie down its tongue with a rope?”
Pride cannot be made to submit to authority. It refuses to bow down to the head at home or in the office. It revolts and rebels. It rebuffs discipline.
V2
"Can you put a cord through its nose or pierce its jaw with a hook?”
Pride resents punishment. Due punishment is looked upon as humiliation rather than a deserving correction. It is unteachable. It never takes any blame on itself.
V3
“Will it keep begging you for mercy? Will it speak to you with gentle words?”
Pride refuses to accept help either spiritual or other, from anyone. It tries to manage all by itsef. It cannot accept its own need but has the I-have-need-of-nothing attitude. It is harsh.
V4
“Will it make an agreement with you for you to take it as your slave for life?”
Pride cannot agree with others. It is difficult to get along with, if there are differences. It refuses to join hands with anyone who does not see eye to eye with it. It would prefer to be served than to serve.
V5
“Can you make a pet of it like a bird or put it on a leash for your girls?”
Pride will never stoop down to the level of its fellows. It keeps itself aloof above them. It will not like to identify itself with the congregation. V6
“Will traders barter for it? Will they divide it up among the merchants?”
Pride will not allow its flesh to be touched. Sacrifice is an unknown term for it. It cannot become meat for others. It hesitates to share blessed experiences for the benefit of others.
V7
“Can you fill its hide with harpoons, or its head with fishing spears?”
Pride will not tolerate any injury inflicted on it knowingly or unknowingly. It will neither forget pain caused nor be ready for reconciliation.
V8
“If you lay a hand on it, you will remember the struggle and never do it again!”
Pride is very touchy. It will burst on you or start crying at the slightest, even unintended, provocation. It is quickly offended and not easily pacified. One has to be very careful with it and not free.
V9
“Any hope of subduing it is false; the mere sight of it is overpowering.”
Pride never gives in. It cannot be hid. Its looks, mannerism and gestures expose its arrogance. Approach to it is difficult.
V10
“No one is fierce enough to rouse it. Who then is able to stand against Me?”
Pride is the fiercest. It evokes fear in its contacts.
V11
“Who has a claim against Me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to Me.” Pride challenges God. It fully believes that God is indebted to do good to it. It questions God. It does not realise that God in His mercy is patient towards it.
V12
“I will not fail to speak of its limbs, its strength and its graceful form.”
Pride misuses the God-given strength, power and beauty. Gifts or talents make it forget God’s unmerited favour. It overacts. It demands appreciation.
V13
“Who can strip off its outer coat? Who would approach it with a bridle?”
Pride wears a mask of humility to conceal its identity. It will be hypocritically saying and doing things to prove that it is after all very humble. It is difficult to control it.
V14
“Who dares open the doors of its mouth, ringed about with its fearsome teeth?”
Pride hates exposure of its short-comings, but is quick to expose others and criticise. It is soft on itself and hard on others.
V15
“Its back has rows of shields tightly sealed together.”
Pride withdraws into its shell in reaction. A petty remark or fun will make it recoil and it refuses to be natural anymore, because it is afraid of making mistakes before others. It wants to be perfect at the start and avoids the painful path of
perfection.
V16
“Each is so close to the next that no air can pass between.”
Pride refuses to use its God-given abilities spontaneously. They remain entombed within and one has to beg and plead with it to gain access to its abilities.
V17
“They are joined fast to one another, they cling together and cannot be parted.”
Pride does not share its problems with others. It lives within itself. One never gets to know what is wrong with it. It would rather brood and backslide than boil over and become better.
V18
“Its snorting throws out flashes of light; its eyes are like the rays of dawn.”
Pride does not take time to consider things. It reacts immediately. Its anger flashes hot as the sun and arises like the sun without any reason.
V19
“Firebrands stream from its mouth; sparks of fire shoot out.”
Pride offends others easily. Its words are sharp and wounding. It talks without consideration to others’ feelings.
V20
“Smoke pours from its nostrils as from a boiling pot over a fire of reeds.”
Pride always suspects and never trusts others.
It is difficult to be convinced. It believes only itself.
V21
“Its breath sets coals ablaze, and flames dart from its mouth.”
Pride affects the entire neighbourhood when it is upset. It never contains itself. It bubbles and boils over and consumes the spiritual qualities of others too.
V22
“Strength resides in its neck, dismay goes before it.”
Pride is stiffnecked. It not only refuses to feel sorry for what it has done but adamantly stamps that it is right and is happy about its state. It resists change. It hesitates to change its old wrong convictions to save its face.
V23
“The folds of its flesh are joined together; they are firm and immovable.”
Pride acts with determination independently and cannot be deterred. It heeds nothing, cares no one. It will not adjust for others. It will not take back. Operation in cooperation is unknown to it.
V24
“Its chest is hard as rock, hard as the lower millstone.”
Pride is unloving and unkind. It refuses to melt at the most touching scene or story. It does not pay attention to pleadings or groanings. It does not relieve the suffering. It cannot feel what others feel.
V25
“When it rises up, the mighty are terrified;
they retreat before its thrashing.”
Pride is cunning. It does not match skill straightforwardly. It takes advantage of its strength and status to oppress or subdue even its companions. It is a fear to its peers. It misuses God-given authority.
V26
“The sword that reaches it has no effect, nor does the spear or the dart or the javelin.”
Pride disdains exhortations. It twists the Scriptures to its convenience. Gives nose-cuts to its well-wishing exhorters and preachers.
V27
“It treats iron like straw and bronze like rotten wood.”
Pride despises superiors. It never recognises the spiritually gifted, rather finds fault with them and mocks at their accomplishments.
V28
“Arrows do not make it flee; slingstones are like chaff to it.”
Pride knows no fear. Neither its own failures nor God’s punishments nor anything makes it tremble before God or His Word or at eternity. It is careless and carefree. It gives excuses for everything (its own explanation).
V29
“A club seems to it but a piece of straw; it laughs at the rattling of the lance.”
Pride cannot believe that any good thing can come out of the weak. It cannot believe that God can use a weak sister or brother. If it sees, it refuses to accept it and tends to analyse and dismiss it. Pride never appreciates or encourages, but expects perfection in others.
V30
“Its undersides are jagged potsherds; leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge.”
Pride disturbs the smoothness, softness, regularity, peace and mouldability where it is. Its sharp edges disturb unity in a community.
V31
"It makes the depths churn like a boiling caldron and stirs up the sea like a pot of ointment.”
Pride is noisy and fidgety. It always wants to make known its presence in a gathering. It wants to be noticed and appreciated. It expects recognition.
V32
“Behind it, it leaves a glistening wake; one would think the deep had white hair.”
Pride wants a monument for itself. It wants to
leave behind something on its name. It wants its name inscribed on all its achievements. It seeks a place in people’s heart.
V33
“ Nothing on earth is its equal – a creature without fear.”
Pride lives in a world of imagination. It compares itself with others and rejoices.
V34
“It looks down on all that are haughty; it is king over all that are proud.”
It keeps itself above all and looks down on everyone.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
