The Children of Pride
In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he lamented that many of their behaviors had become contrary to the gospel preached to them. His style of communication is still hopeful, and he offers counsel to correct the saints going forward. I will focus on the negative first and then try to summarize with the more positive and hopeful doctrine as described by Paul.
To provide context for everything that follows, it is important to identify the underlying root of pride as the cause of each of the errant behaviors of the Corinthian saints. Tracing back to the root of the problems is essential to understanding and correcting them. I hope that as we examine ourselves and find attitudes and behaviors that need to be corrected, we can identify the roots of our problems and work to correct them.
Pride is like a weed; returning again and again despite our efforts to eliminate it. You don’t have to do anything to nurture or encourage weeds to grow. You do nothing, and there they are, growing at rates that you wish were possible with your vegetable or flower gardens. Furthermore, weeds are invasive and will choke out everything else that grows. Pride is the morning glory of many sins; its roots run so deep that we can’t hope to eliminate them, and it shows up at the hottest part of the summer when it is hard to work on it.
The morning glory analogy is a good one for pride in another way. I have heard of people who think that morning glory is a beautiful plant. Certainly, its name reflects two highly positive things; morning which comes to dispel darkness, and glory which takes it to a more transcendent level. Pride has become something to be celebrated and is constantly promoted as a glorious, darkness-dispelling attribute and attitude. However, if left to its own devices, it will choke out the truly beautiful things like love and compassion for others.
Paul spoke about the divisions that existed among the saints, saying, “Now this I say that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.” The implication is that one is better than another. Of course, Paul emphasizes that they should all be united in Christ. Division is a natural effect of pride and pits people against each other. Need I point out that people who want power create divisions among us?
In chapter three, Paul follows with this, “For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?” Carnal behavior is almost always seen as negative. It is the lowest, most base motivation for action and is animal-like; without regard for others. When we think with the carnal mind, we become completely self-absorbed and self-centered. Our natural instincts make us less than what we can be, limiting our potential. Again, pride is the root of carnality and selfishness. Paul follows with this, “Therefore let no man glory in men.”
In chapter four, Paul again warns against being, puffed up…one against another, and states that the saints are “full” and “rich” and have reigned as kings. He follows, “I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.” He uses the term puffed up several times, referring to anger or getting worked up over things. Unrighteous indignation is another form of pride that distracts us from feeling the spirit of God.
In chapter five, the sin of fornication and its consequences is described. Again, Paul uses the term “puffed up” referring to those who are unrepentant and resentful that they are being called out for their attitude regarding this sin. He says, “Your glorying is not good.” Glorying in sinful behaviors, especially those of a sexual in nature, is prevalent today, and like Paul says, is not good. Paul’s advice; “… not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.” Not to keep company does not mean to shun people, but means not to accept or celebrate or be complicit in their actions.
Stay away from people who flaunt their contrariness to the commandments of God, but be loving and kind to those who struggle with sin. In fact, I think that we must seek out those who are lost to addiction or trapped in behaviors that they want to change. They are the lost sheep that Jesus implored us to seek and find. If we have to reprove someone, we must do it with love and not anger or frustration. Occasionally, it is awkward to approach someone who we see needs help. If we are in tune with the spirit and are filled with love, it is hard to go wrong.
Finally, the last of Paul’s admonishments I will mention is that the saints should not squabble with each other in courts of law. I have personally experienced this. I was sued by another member of the church over a contractual agreement that was made between us regarding the sale of a business. The details are not relevant here, but all the actions brought against me were judged by the court in my favor. Had the matter been handled differently and the other party been accountable for and accepted his failure to meet the contractual agreements, we both would have saved tens of thousands of dollars and years of stress on my part and grudges on his. It was hard for me to fathom how a person who should understand personal responsibility and accountability, could pass their personal failures off to others, and think that technicalities would get them the hook. (Okay, I’m done venting).
Now for the good part. Paul points out in chapter one that not many of the wise, rich, and noble of the world were, “called” (meaning accepted the gospel of Christ). Again, I see pride at the root of non-acceptance of the gospel. Those of high status enjoy the blessings of wealth, so-called wisdom, and power, but are left void of spiritual fulfillment. Pride is short-sighted and celebrates things that are temporary, while humility fills us with the spirit of God and brings eternal rewards. Paul says, “He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” In this same vein he states, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
Being filled with the Spirit of God brings countless blessings. Among them are; the wisdom of God, unlimited understanding of self, seeing the world for what it is, avoiding the pitfalls of pride, hope in eternal rewards, and peace in Christ.
Warning: If you are reading this to young children, pause here and read ahead to determine if it is appropriate for them.
Paul focuses on our bodies as being temples of God because the Spirit of God can dwell in us. To provide some context for his emphasis on this concept, I learned in the Come Follow Me manual that the Corinthians viewed their bodies as primarily made for pleasure; thus Paul’s warnings about fornication and immorality. Today, our culture also celebrates and emphasizes sexuality without constraint. This misuse of the procreative process for mere pleasure makes a mockery of God’s creation. Pornography, another form of sensual stimulation, dulls the physical responses meant to enhance committed marital relationships. Physical gratification in all forms is part of why God created us, and is enhanced when they are used within the bounds He has set. Again, spiritual guidance is crucial to the ultimate physical experience.
In chapter four, Paul says that when the Lord comes he, “will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.” The cross-reference to the hidden things mentioned leads to Doctrine and Covenants 123. Here are a few verses: “12 For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it—
13 Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven—
14 These should then be attended to with great earnestness.
15 Let no man count them as small things; for there is much which lieth in futurity, pertaining to the saints, which depends upon these things.” The cross-reference from there leads to the topic of secret combinations.
The implied thread that runs through the entirety of the first part of 1 Corinthians is that the root of the many sins that beset the saints of that place and time was pride. Pride has many children; all of which are not good. Enmity and division, selfishness and hedonism, contention and being easily offended are all the offspring of pride. Each of the enticements that promote pride as a good thing are carnal in nature and will make us devoid of the Spirit. The antidote to pride is humility and love, which bear the fruits of good works and faith.
I hope we can be vigilant in keeping our pride in check so that it doesn’t choke out all that is good in our lives.