Manifestations of Pride: Being Defensive

One of the first signs that Adam and Eve had pride in their heart is their
defensiveness or their rejection to rebuke. Notice when God said to Adam, “Who
told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to
eat?” (Gen. 3:11) Adam replied, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me
fruit of the tree and I ate.” Then God said to Eve, “What is this that you have done?”
(Gen. 3:13). Eve replied, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
Notice how both Adam and Eve responded. They refused to accept fault
and started blaming the problem on someone else or blaming an animal in this
case. But the root of the matter there was no humility and accepting of wrong.
They strictly stuck up their noses and pointed the finger when they knew it was
they had fault in this entire dilemma.
But God seen all three, Adam, Eve and the serpent as law breakers and
convicted them separately. “The LORD God said to the serpent” (vs. 14), “To the
woman he said” (vs. 16), “And to Adam he said” (vs. 17). In this case all three had
pride in their hearts.
A proud person will point fingers at someone else or shift the blame. They
may say things like, “Are you accusing me?” or “Well, what about you?” In
Proverbs 12:1 the writer gives us very important advice. “Whoever loves discipline
loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.” Reproof is synonymous with
rebuke. And most people do not like hearing the words of a rebuke; in fact many
Christians take rebuke as offensive.
When we reject and take offense of a rebuke from a friend or even a Pastor
this is just showing signs of pride and we need to humble ourselves and seek
correction. Forget about how the rebuke is being said. Perhaps the attitude of the
Pastor or church member is something that seems more offensive to you. But
regardless of the emotion or attitude in the person seek the truth in the rebuke.

Being Defensive DwellingWithGod.com By Jay Gheen

Ask yourself, “Is what this Pastor saying about me true or not?” Forget about your
feelings and the statement being offensive to you. Is it true?

Being Defensive DwellingWithGod.com By Jay Gheen