It is a sense of self-conceitedness; it is the feeling that you are better than other people because you are cleverer, more important, etc. It is entertaining high opinion of yourself. It represents the demand of one’s ego to be recognized. This attitude is sinful because it militates most against God.

The Devil (Isaiah 14:13-16)

Pride was the cause of Lucifer’s downfall. It was Lucifer’s "aspiring pride and insolence for which God threw him from the face of heaven." (Marlowe)

The condemnation brought upon the Devil is the result of Pride.

Lucifer (the shining one) was the highest of created beings. Yet he aspired to be equal with God! And if it were possible, he would even dethrone God! The ultimate result of his pride and rebellion is this: the devil will be cast eventually into the bottomless pit reserved for him and his evil ones.

Solomon said, "Pride goeth before destruction …" (Proverbs 16:18). In 1 Timothy 3:6 one of the qualifications of eldership is "Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into condemnation of the devil."

Ø Ambition (Daniel 5:20-23)

Ø An evil heart (Mark 7:21-22)

Ø The World (1 John 2:16)

Ø Self righteousness (Luke 18:11-12)

Ø Worldly power (Ezekiel 16:49,56)

v "Pride of Race" : It is said that to have a sense of patriotism and to have a love for one’s country is natural but to believe that one’s race is more superior than another’s or to discriminate people based on caste and skin colour is contrary to the Word of God. For God is "no respecter of persons" and is impartial in His judgment (Deuteronomy 10:17; Job 34:19; Job 37:14; Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9; Galatians 2:6).

v "Pride of Place": Ambition in itself is not wrong but to be ambitious for a selfish motive is sin. Jeremiah said, "And seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not." There is nothing wrong to use the abilities and talents and spiritual gifts given to us by God for His honour and glory.

The worldly-minded will scorn service and continue to seek positions of honour. Even the disciples of Jesus Christ had the worldly idea that position is important, and places of honour and power are to be sought (Matthew 20:20-21; Mark 10:35-37).

If we have humility, we will be regarded by God; we will be heard of God; we will be delivered by God and we will be exalted by God (Psalm 138:6; 9:12; Job 22:29; Luke 14:11).

v "Pride of Face": There is nothing wrong to care for our appearance as far as cleanliness and dress are concerned. But we must never overdo it, and spend too much money and time to beautify it. This undue concern for one’s appearance can result in a conceited self admiration. In Proverbs 31:10-31, we have the description of the virtuous woman. "Favour (charm) is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised" (Proverbs 31:30).

v "Pride of Grace": It is an attitude that points to a "holier than thou" which ignores the pure grace of God; an attitude which always points to "the mote (or sawdust) that is in thy brother’s eye" an attitude of self righteousness. Look at the contrasting prayers and attitudes of the Pharisee and the Publican (Luke 18:9-14).

ü It brings strife (Proverbs 13:10)

ü It hardens the mind (Daniel 5:20)

ü It produces spiritual decay (Hosea 7:9, 10)

ü It keeps from real progress (Proverbs 26:1)

ü It hinders coming to God (Psalm 10:4)

ü It makes men reject God’s Word (Jeremiah 43:2) and

ü It leads to ruin (Proverbs 16:18)

Pride makes one feel spiritually superior to others:

"The worst form of pride is spiritual pride" (Augustine)

"Pride goeth before destruction and an haughty spirit before a fall."

o Eve was beguiled by Satan (1 Timothy 2:14; cf. 2 Corinthians 11:3) through "the pride of knowledge" that would be hers: "Ye shall be as gods (or God), knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:5); through "lust of the flesh" an appeal to appetite; through "lust of the eyes" covetousness; and through "pride of life." (cf. 1 John 2:16).

Out of the heart proceeds pride (Mark 7:22).

"A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit" (Proverbs 20:23).

"When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom." (Proverbs 11:2).

The Bible is replete with examples of Pride for our admonition and edification:

o Miriam (Numbers 12:1-10)

Miriam’s sin was rebellion against her brother, Moses, described as "the man of God." She spoke against God’s leadership; she flouted God’s authority. Result: "Miriam became leprous, white as snow."

o King Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:20-23)

The LORD struck him with leprosy, and he was removed from the temple (vv.19-20). He was quarantined until his death. (vv.21-23)

o King Nebucadnezzar (Dan.4:30-34)

Because of his pride, he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like bird’s claws.

o Herod (Acts12:21-23)

"And upon a set day, Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory; and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost."

o Laodiceans (Rev.3:17)

The Laodiceans boasted that they were "rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing…" Jesus said, "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot." They were lukewarm in their spirituality; cared more for worldly wealth than for heavenly glory. They were warned that unless they repented and turned from their apostasy, God would "spew them out."

ü necessary for the service of God (Micah 6:8)

ü a characteristic of the saints (Psalm 34:2)

As Christians we are exhorted to:

ü Put on humility (Colossians 3:12)

ü Be clothed with humility (1Peter 5:5)

ü Walk with humility (Ephesians 4:1-2)

Remember, the humble are not only highly regarded by God (Psalm 138:6; Isaiah 66:2) but are also exalted by Him (Luke 14:11; 18:14; Matthew 23:12 James 4:10).

—Elder Khoo Peng Kiat

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A Matter for Urgent Prayer: On Thursday afternoon, 11th July 2008, FEBC’s lawyers, Allen & Gledhill, served the Board of Elders a letter informing us that FEBC has instructed the law firm to commence legal proceedings in the High Court of Singapore against us with regard to the use of 9, 9A and 10 Gilstead Road. We have also received FEBC’s letter dated 2 July 2008 that they had approached the Commissioner of Charities and will also be applying to the Attorney-General to intervene in their dispute with Life B-P Church over the use of our premises.

In view of the notice of legal proceedings against the Church, the Session has decided to appoint a legal counsel to act on behalf of Life B-P Church and to take appropriate steps to defend and protect the interests of the Church.

On the question of whether this decision by the Session violates 1 Corinthians 6 which teaches us not to take fellow Christians to court, our conscience is clear because we did not initiate the legal suit. Please pray for the Lord’s will to be done, and kindly refrain from discussing the matter with anyone outside the church.

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1) Catechism Class for Anniversary 2008 Baptism begins 27 Jul 08 with Rev Charles Seet at Chinese Svc Hall, 9.30 am. Those seeking baptism, reaffirmation of faith and transfer of membership must attend the Catechism Class.

2) Scripture Memory Verse Review 2: Please submit the written review exercise by today. Review No. 1 sheets are also available for those who missed it. Obtainable at the front counter.

3) Remaining stock of Camp T-shirts and Camp Jackets for sale at $5 and $10 respectively. Please pay exact amount in cash at the Camp Registration Office.

4) ASM Life Learning Night Classes. A.Spiritual Formation - Dynamics, foundations, principles and stages of Spiritual growth. 14 Monday nights, commenced July 7. Teacher-facilitator: Rev Goh Seng Fong. Registration fees: $20.

B. Growing through the Study of the Epistle to the Philippians - Joy in trials. 14 Thursday nights commenced, July 10. Teacher-facilitator: Rev Yap Beng Shin. Registration fees: $20. All welcome at Life BP Church, 9A, Gilstead Road (7.30pm to 9.30pm). Register at johnching.asm@gmail.com.