The other day I drove all the way to my office, parked the car, and then realized that I had left my glasses at home. So, I started the car again, and drove home to get them. No use trying to work without them! I think of that when I read 1 Timothy 3:2-4. It is talking about the qualifications of those who would be church elders, but we learn something there about clear vision and not-so-clear vision. It says,
“He must be…not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited…”
The word “conceited” is literally translated from the Greek as “wrapped in smoke,” or “beclouded.” So the picture is of a person whose vision is clouded. That is what pride does to you. You can’t see properly.
Relationships look different to you when you are proud. Money looks different to you. Your work looks different.
Everything looks different than it really is. And you don’t realize it.
When I got to my office without my glasses I realized it. I can see distances without my glasses, but can’t read without them. So I was okay driving, but realized it when I started to do tasks that required close-up vision.
The danger with pride is that you don’t really realize it. You can’t be only far-sighted or near-sighted with pride. Your pride is distorting your whole vision - you are ‘beclouded’ - but you don’t know it.
Until God shakes you.
In 1 Peter 5 it says,
“God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble”
God will oppose us when we are proud. Have you felt lately like God is opposing what you are doing? You are lacking God’s blessing? Are you are continually running into a brick wall? Maybe it is time for you to check yourself for pride.
And Peter tells us what to do in light of the opposition of God. He says,
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God”
It is always best to humble yourself than to be humbled by God. Get before God and tell Him again that all that you have and all that you are is not the result of your efforts, but of God’s goodness and help to you. Exalt Him and recognize your spiritual bankruptcy without Him. Tell Him all that you owe Him! Humble yourself.
Then you’ll find His grace instead of His opposition.
And then, you’ll see clearly again.
