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Roy
Baumeister, a contemporary social psychologist observes, “Morality has become
allied with self-interest… The modern message is that what is right and good
and valuable to do in life is to focus on yourself, to learn what is inside
you, to express and cultivate these inner resources, to do what is best for
yourself… Many Americans today can no longer accept the idea that love requires
sacrificing oneself or making oneself unhappy or doing things that do not serve
one’s individual best interests. If a relationship does not bring pleasure,
insight, satisfaction, and fulfillment to the self, then it is regarded as
wrong, and the individual is justified – perhaps even obligated – to end the
relationship… According to todays values, a king of selfishness is essential to
love.”
THIS IS
INCREDIBLY SAD!!!
How is it
even possible? How has Satan corrupted society so much as to strip us of our
character and taught us to focus only on self-gratifying relationships? It is
extremely sad. Doctor Goddard says…
“The modern dilemma is ironic. We are devoted to finding happiness
– and we are seeking happiness in ways that guarantee emptiness.”
“Pride
is a very misunderstood sin, and many are sinning in ignorance” (President
Benson). In Mosiah 3 verse 10 in reads,
“For
behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who
have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing
the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned.”
Yes, pride is evil, but because of the blood of Christ, we can repent and be
complete again. However, to do so we must first recognize our ignorant faults.
What does pride entail?
Most of us think of Pride as “self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness,
arrogance, or haughtiness…. The central feature of pride is enmity” (Benson). Which
described by the Webster dictionary Enmity means “positive, active, and
typically mutual hatred or ill will [toward someone or something].”? In what
ways do we show enmity toward God? Benson states, “our enmity toward God takes
on many labels, such as rebellion, hard-heartedness, stiff-neckedness,
unrepentant, puffed up, easily offended, and sign seekers. The proud wish God
would agree with them. They aren’t interested in changing their opinions to
agree with God’s.” Doctor Goddard relates, “The natural mind is an enemy to
truth. Each of us sees our own versions of “truth” and imagines that no one in
the world sees truth as clearly as we do. This way of thinking is a pernicious
enemy. It keeps us from connecting with others and from learning from God.
Satan laughs.” How do we expect to have a happy marriage when we have pride in
our hearts?
So, what’s next?
We can recognize when we are taking these sinful attributes upon
ourselves in our own lives. It’s too easy to become rebellious, or offended,
and that is why it’s wrong. The easy road is not the road to happiness and
eternal life. We must work hard and diligently follow Christ if we want to
better ourselves and turn our hearts toward God. The symptoms of
allowing such behavior to continue are damaging and detrimental to our souls.
“When pride has a hold on our hearts, we lose our independence of the world and
deliver our freedoms to the bondage of men’s judgment. The world shouts louder
than the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. The reasoning of men overrides the
revelations of God, and the proud let go of the iron rod” (Benson). In marriage,
we are prideful when we perceive our own actions as just and that our partner
is the one who needs to change. Again, we believe we see things clearly and
everyone else needs glasses.
“Pride will take your
friendships, your marriage, and any other relationship you value, and tear them
up into shreds. In its wake, pride will leave behind hurt, bitterness,
destruction, and pain” – Heather Marshal
How do we change?
It’s easy to get comfortable in our ways but when we have a
true, heartfelt desire to change the process begins. President Benson counsels
us that “the antidote for pride is humility, meekness, submissiveness. It is
the broken heart and contrite spirit.” We must conquer the natural man within
each of us and overpower our own pride. Turing our life over to God and
repenting for our sinful ways is crucial. “Faith unto repentance means that we
trust Jesus enough to turn our lives over to Him. We give up governance of our
lives and turn that over to God. We may pray…” (Goddard)
“Fill us with thyself, that we may no longer be a burden to
ourselves. So glorify the face of goodness that evil shall
have no more dominion over us. Amen.” – Harry Emerson Fosdick
Goddard,
H. Wallace. Drawing Heaven into Your Marriage:
Powerful Principles with Eternal Results. Fairfax, VA: Meridian Pub, 2007.
Print.
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