26
The Gassy Odor of Pride
Rod ShimabukuroSo I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being,but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Romans 7:21-23
I can totally relate to Paul. What Christian can’t relate? ...evil lies close. In fact Paul writes that this evil is the law of sin that lives in me. Sin dwells in me. And when I think about sin, it’s not just external acts of sins. Besides the sins of the flesh, the sin that lives in me is disobedience to God. To “do right” (v21) is to obey the law of God, in my inner being.
When Paul is addressing the war of sin and Spirit in me, I see this war partly being a war of receiving God’s grace through faith in Jesus versus the idolatry of self. The battle between flesh and spirit is a battle between my faith and trust in Jesus against rules and religion.
I delight too much in my self.
That’s not a shocker to God, especially since He knows the level of pride and self idolatry, righteousness and worship lives in me. My problem sometimes is not that I can’t or don’t love myself. It’s that I love myself too much. But I’m good about masking this internal pride. But I know people can smell my pride. It leaks out - like someone who let’s out “gassy odors” from their behind!! You begin to smell it and others do too. You can’t cover it up. I catch myself referring to myself - like the amount of times I use the words “I or my” when I’m talking with others.
The evil of self promotion.
That’s an evil that lives in me. But I think, for me, it’s subtle. Of course, I want to be humble, God centered, promoting and glorifying Jesus. It’s all about Jesus! That’s my heart. But I’m just being honest. Within me, there are disobedient tendencies to promote me. I want to be loved, applauded, accepted, affirmed - who doesn’t? What a vicious cycle - what a war!
But as for me... I DO DELIGHT IN JESUS AND IN THE LAW OF GOD IN MY INNER BEING!
Dear Jesus...May Your aroma of life bring life to those around me for the sake of their redemption. Forgive me for the gassy odor of my pride - which really stinks up relationships and makes situations tougher. I do love You and commit my lips and heart to Your Word!
