PASSING THE PRIDE TEST

by pastor T.d. KASUKU

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, . . .

Take the following practical quiz. If you are honest with yourself, the questions and answers may flag areas you need to work on!

1. Do you look down on those who are less educated, less affluent, less refined, or less successful than yourself?
Read Romans 14:10 “Why do you criticize and pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you look down upon or despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.

2. Do you think of yourself as more spiritual than your mate, others in your in your church?
Read Luke 18:11-12

3. Do you have a judgmental spirit toward those who don’t make the same lifestyle choices you do . . . dress standards, how you school your kids, entertainment standards, etc.?
Romans 14:13 Then let us no more criticize and blame and pass judgment on one another, but rather decide and endeavor never to put a stumbling block or an obstacle or a hindrance in the way of a brother.” (The Amplified Bible)

4. Do you have a sharp, critical tongue and are quick to point out fault with others ?  Do you frequently correct or criticize your mate, your pastor, or other people in positions of leadership (teachers, youth director, etc.)?
Read Psalm 64:3 "They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows".
Read also Mathew 7:1-5; Galatians. 6:1 and James 1:26

5. Are you proud of the schedule you keep, how disciplined you are, how much you are able to accomplish?
Read Philippians 3:5 I was circumcised on the eighth day. I’m a descendant of Israel. I’m from the tribe of Benjamin. I’m a pure-blooded Hebrew. When it comes to living up to standards, I was a Pharisee.

6. Are you driven to receive approval, praise, or acceptance from others?
Read John 5:44 How can you believe when you accept each other’s praise and don’t look for the praise that comes from the only God?
John 12:43 They were more concerned about what people thought of them than about what God thought of them.

7. Are you argumentative and always think your way is the right way, the only way, or the best way 
Read 1 Corinthians 10:12 So, people who think they are standing firmly should be careful that they don’t fall.
1 Corinthians 11:16 But if anyone wants to be argumentative about it, I can only say that we and the churches of God generally hold this ruling on the matter.
3 John 1:9 I did write a letter to the church, but Diotrephes, who wants to be head of everything, does not recognise us!

Read also Proverbs 12:15 A stubborn fool considers his own way the right one, but a person who listens to advice is wise.
Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seems right to a person, but eventually it ends in death.
Proverbs 30:12  A certain kind of person thinks he is pure but is not washed from his own feces.

8. Do you frequently interrupt people when they are speaking ?
Job 32:11 I waited for you to speak. I listened for you to share your understanding until you could find the right words.

9. Do you have a touchy, sensitive spirit? Are you easily offended? Get your feelings hurt easily? Easily angered ? Promptly quarreling 
Read Ecclesiastes 7:21-22.“Do not take to heart everything people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. For many times, also, your own heart has known that even you have cursed others”
Proverbs 13:10  Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice

10. Are you guilty of pretense? Trying to leave a better impression of yourself than is really true? (Would the people at church be shocked if they knew what you were like at home?)
Read Matthew 23:27 "How horrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You are like whitewashed graves that look beautiful on the outside but inside are full of dead people’s bones and every kind of impurity.
2 Timothy 3:5 Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

11. Do you have a hard time admitting when you are wrong? Do you react negatively to rules or have a hard time being told what to do ?
Read Leviticus 5:5 When he realizes his guilt in any of these and confesses the sin he has committed,
Jeremiah 17:23 Your ancestors did not obey me or pay attention to me. They were impossible to deal with and would not listen or accept discipline.
1 Samuel 15:30 Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God.

12. Do you have a hard time confessing your sin to God or others? (not just in generalities but specifics)
Read Proverbs 28:13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

13. Do you have a hard time sharing your real spiritual needs/struggles with others? Is it hard for you to admit to others you need practical and/or spiritual help ?
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:25  Brothers and sisters, pray for us.
2 Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brothers and sisters, pray that we spread the Lord’s word rapidly and that it will be honored the way it was among you.
Hebrews 13:18 Pray for us. We are sure that our consciences are clear because we want to live honorably in every way.
James 5:16 So admit your sins to each other, and pray for each other so that you will be healed. Prayers offered by those who have God’s approval are effective.

14. Do you become defensive when you are criticized, corrected or rebuked ?
Read Acts 7:51-60

15. Do you get hurt if your feelings or opinions are not considered when your mate or your boss is making a decision or if you are not informed when a change or decision is made?
Read 2 Samuel 17:23 When Ahithophel saw that his advice hadn’t been followed, he saddled his donkey, left, and went home to his own city. He gave instructions to his family. Then he hanged himself, died, and was buried in his father’s tomb.

16. Do you talk about yourself too much?
Read Proverbs 27:2 Praise should come from another person and not from your own mouth, from a stranger and not from your own lips.
2 Corinthians 10:18 It isn’t the person who makes his own recommendation who receives approval, but the person whom the Lord recommends.

17. Do you get hurt if your accomplishments/or acts of service are not recognized or rewarded?
Read Luke 17:10 That’s the way it is with you. When you’ve done everything you’re ordered to do, say, ‘We’re worthless servants. We’ve only done our duty.’"

18. Do you worry about what others think of you? Too concerned about your reputation or your family’s reputation?
Read Proverbs 29:25 LB "It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you."
Luke 6:26 Jesus said, "Woe to you when all men speak well of you." (NIV)

19. Do you tend to be controlling—of your mate, your children, friends, those in your workplace?
Read Galatians 4:17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them.

20. Are you a perfectionist? Do you get irked or impatient with people who aren’t?
Read Matthew 23:4 They make loads that are hard to carry and lay them on the shoulders of the people. However, they are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
Ecclesiastes 7:8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning , and patience is better than pride

21. Do you often complain—about the weather, your health, your circumstances, your job, your church?
Read Jude 1:16 These people complain, find fault, follow their own desires, say arrogant things, and flatter people in order to take advantage of them.

22. Do you give undue time, attention, and effort to your physical appearance—hair, make-up, clothing, weight, body shape, avoiding appearance of aging?
Read 1 Peter 3 : 1  IN the same spirit you married women should adapt yourself to your husbands, so that even if they do not obey the Word of God they may be won to God without any word being spoken,
2  simply by seeing the pure and reverent conduct of you, their wives.
3  Your beauty should not be dependent on an elaborate coiffure, or on the wearing of jewellery or fine clothes,
4  but on the inner personality — the unfading loveliness of a calm and gentle spirit, a thing very precious in the eyes of God.

23. Are you submissive to authorities ? Are you accountable ? 
Read Romans 13: 1 Every person should obey the government in power. No government would exist if it hadn’t been established by God. The governments which exist have been put in place by God.
2  Therefore, whoever resists the government opposes what God has established. Those who resist will bring punishment on themselves.

24. Do you neglect to express gratitude for “little things”? To God? To others?
Read Colossians 3:15 Also, let Christ’s peace control you. God has called you into this peace by bringing you into one body. Be thankful.

25. How do you react when things don't happen the way you planned or expected?
Read 2 Kings 5:11 But Naaman was wroth and went away, and said, "Behold, I thought, ‘He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and cure the leper.’

26. How long does it take to recover from abuse? offense ? to forgive others ? to forgive yourself ? Is your heart hard ? 
Read Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they parted His raiment and cast lots.
Daniel 5:20 But when his heart was lifted up and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him.

27.Are you totally dependent on the Lord ? For your choices ? For your decisions ? For your needs ? For your feelings ? 
Read Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him" .
Psalm 10:4 In his pride the wicked does not seek You; in all his thoughts there is no room for You.

28. When is the last time you said these words to a family member, friend, or coworker: “I was wrong; would you please forgive me?” (If it’s been more than a month, mark it down!)

29. Are you sitting here thinking how many of these questions apply to someone you know? Feeling pretty good that none of these things really apply to you?

30. What is your prayer to the Lord after passing this test ?

PRAYER
Lord,
My heart beats independently of you too often.
My agenda sits on the throne too often.
Forgive me, Lord.
I am determined to become more like Jesus.
Amen