Religion: a particular system of faith and worship, is often based on someone’s personal experience, revelation or thoughts that they get others to adopt. This means that by its very nature it is exclusive and usually divides. Those who think differently are usually ostracized and made to feel less. There are more than 45,000 denominations globally . A religious denomination is a subgroup within a religion that operates under a common name, tradition, and identity. (wikipedia)
On its own pride sets us up against each other. Pride is defined as a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired. The bible condemns pride and speaks strongly against it.
“To fear Ahayah is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.” Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” proverbs 8 :13
The combination of Religion with pride makes it extremely dangerous. Its like a volatile cocktail, it can have deadly consequences. Pride is really self Idolatry and it is an abomination to The Almighty.
“I am Ahayah your Almighty/God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 7You shall have no other gods before Me. 8You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath.…
Deuteronomy 5 v 7
The fruit of Religious pride
https://www.bethanycommunitychurch.org/resources/docs/1409-the_fifty_fruits_of_pride.pdf
“I am selfishly ambitious and I really want to get ahead and make a name for
myself by using my ministry/church position. I want to be someone important in life and I like having a position or title. I far prefer leading to following, so I will backbite and try to take over leadership.”
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves
phillipians 2 : 3
“I am overly competitive. I always want to win or come out on top and it
bothers me when I don’t, so I use my religious belief to compete with others, comparing my beliefs to theirs or the size of my following/group.”
“I want people to be impressed with me so I like to make my accomplishments
known. I brag about my good deeds, and take credit that should really go to The Most High.”
“I tend to give myself credit for who I am and what I accomplish. I only
occasionally think about or recognize that all that I am or have comes from
The Almighty. I don’t consciously transfer all esteem to The Almighty for any good I have or any
good I do.”
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
John 12:32
Pride hinders ministry and stops unbelievers from coming into the kingdom.
“I like to talk, especially about myself or persons or things I am involved with.
I want people to know what I am doing or thinking. I would rather speak than
listen. So I want to tell what I believe about the word but I don’t want to hear what others have to say.”
It is all about getting the applause of man
“I tend to be deceptive about myself and I find myself lying to preserve my
reputation. I find myself hiding the truth about myself, especially about sins,
weaknesses, etc. I don’t want people to know who I really am.
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
proverbs 28:13
Confession to others helps to produce humility.
Desire Recognition and Praise (John 5:41-44; Matthew 6:1, 23:5-7)
“I desire to receive recognition and credit for what I do. I like people to see
what I do and let me know that they noticed. I feel hurt or offended when they
don’t and I am overly concerned about my reputation and hate being misunderstood.
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
mathew 6v3
“I am not very excited about seeing or making others successful. I tend to feel
envious, jealous or critical towards those who are doing well or being
honored or have certain positions in the assembly or in life.”
“I tend to be self sufficient in the way I live my life and I don’t live with a constant
awareness that my every breath is dependent upon the will of Yah/God. I often
think I have enough strength, ability and wisdom to live and manage my life. I don’t
like to ask others for help.”
“I am overly self-conscious. I tend to replay in my mind how I did, what I said,
and how I came across to others. I am very concerned about my appearance
and what people think of me. I think about these things constantly, even when I am supposed to be ministering to others.”
Pride puts self and people above The Almighty
“I fear man more than The Almighty. I am afraid of others and make decisions about
what I will say or do based upon this fear. I am afraid to take a stand for things
that are right. I am concerned with how people will react to me or perceive my
actions or words. I don’t often think about Yah’s/ God’s opinion in a matter and rarely
think there could be consequences for disobeying him. I primarily seek the
approval of man and not of Yah/The Lord.”
“I often feel insecure. I don’t want to try new things or step out into
uncomfortable situations because I’m afraid I’ll fail or look foolish. I am easily
embarrassed.”
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross/stake daily and follow me.”
“I regularly compare myself to others. I am “performance oriented.” I feel that
I have greater worth if I do well, so ministry is more about performing than serving for me. I am self-critical and I tend to be a perfectionist. I can’t stand for little things to
be wrong because they reflect poorly on me. I have a hard time putting my
mistakes behind me, so I lack patience with others when their mistakes affect me.”
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory/esteem of Yah/The Lord;”
Romans 3 v23
It is self centered and ego centric
“I am self-serving. When asked to do something, I find myself asking, „How
will doing this help me?‟ or ,Will I be inconvenienced?‟ I am not focused on the
needs and interests of others. So what I do for others is not truly altruistic.
If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing. 1 cor. 13
“I feel special or superior because of what I have or do. I think highly of myself in relation to others, I typically see myself as more mature and more gifted. In most situations, I think have more to offer than others even though I may not say so. I don’t consider myself average or ordinary.”
For I say to every man that is among you, through the favor given unto me, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly according as Ahayah/The Lord hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Romans 12 v 3
“I feel deserving. I think I deserve what I have. In fact, I think I ought to have
more considering how well I have lived or in light of all I have done.”
“I find myself wallowing in self-pity. I am consumed with how I am treated by
Yah and others. I tend to feel mistreated . I seldom recognize or sympathize with what’s going on with others around me because I feel that I have it worse than they do. I blame The Almighty instead of examining myself. ”
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Mashyach/Christ.
Galatians 6 v2