We are told that our children need positive reinforcement and praise. So we do that...well most of us do. We are told that we need to give our employees positive reinforcement and praise. Again, we do that...well most of us do. We are told that for our marriages and other relationships to work we need to provide positive reinforcement and praise. In fact, there are many other examples where positive reinforcement and praise are needed and welcomed. The Bible tells us to build up one another exhorting each other in the faith and hope of Jesus' return. Should we only do the positive reinforcement and praise we may create ego problems. Having a balance between our positive reinforcement and praise versus discipline and correction is essential to maintain an ego that is reflective of who God has created us to be.
Paul says several times that he needed to "die to self" in order that Christ may live through him. He also said that it was his very sin that prevented the flow of the Holy Spirit in the work God had given him. Paul goes on to say that we, despite our thoughts and feelings, need to run the race and finish to the goal in order to receive the prize waiting for us. All of this requires balance that mankind doesn't know how to manage. We may be good at this or that while bad at other this or that. Many times we, humans, utilize our positive and good to encourage others to overlook the bad or negative. When we find that this works to hide the one, we have crossed the line and our worldly ego has taken over. Where Paul's ego was in Christ, he recognized that "except for the grace of God, there go I." The process by which our egos come under the control of God is difficult as the world (even the Christian world) has sought to feed the ego at every turn. When brought to fruition, the ego creates a world where we become ineffective Christians.
I'm not saying we shouldn't receive praise or even that we shouldn't have good self esteem. What I am saying is that we either belong to Jesus and are directed by the Holy Spirit or we belong to whatever part of us that we haven't surrendered to Jesus. Janus Joplin once sang, "Oh Lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz? My friends all drive Porsche's and I must make amends." Clearly asking God to define who you are by the car you drive and the crowd you hang with isn't God's idea of who you are. The words of the old song "Just As I Am" are closer to what God wants from us. So, whether my ego is stroked by the world or by God my dedication to the work He has put before me either is ignored or prosperous. Should I have the ego that puts me first or best or most honored; I have nothing at all. The world may sing the praises of actors, actresses, athletes, and other professionals to it's own demise. Those who are Christian or call themselves Christian should either put up or shut up. The same is true for you and I. Either we are Christ's or we are not. If we pretend that we are Christ's while living for the world we are self-deceived and lost before we begin.
Whether your pride is fueled by Jesus or the life you live there will be a judgment when we are before the throne of God. The Bible says that "pride comes before the fall." I know it's true for me as I've left a trail of wreckage through the past 40+ years. God has certainly taken what I've done and not done (like Paul) and brought good out of it or will do so down the road. Are your children, grandchildren, trophy husband or wife, career, money, possessions or activities defining who and what you are? Do the words of family, employer, or peers mean more than the reassuring words of Jesus? Will you stake who and what you are TODAY to garner your place in Heaven? If there is any question in your mind with these questions; you need to seek the throne of God. After you have come before the throne of God, surrender and let the God of love take his seat on the throne of your life. Let his glory shine instead of yours. Your life and the lives of those around you will change with this surrender.
Paul (again) says that all he boasts in is Christ, died, buried and risen for us.
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