January 10 - Lego My "Ego"

Lego My “Ego”

“You yourselves are a case study of what he does. At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got. But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God’s side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence.” Colossians 1:21 (Msg)

Pride is a two-sided coin and a double-edged razor. 

On the one hand we can rightly take pride in our country, our children, and even be “true to your school” as the Beach Boy’s, Brian Wilson lyricized.

However, the other end causes us to have a “loyalty to rightness.”  We become so inundated and saturated with it that it makes us impenetrable to correction, pompous in our stance, and unyielding to even God’s direction in life’s most important areas. The repercussions on marriages, parenting, and relationships of all kinds, can be detrimental to say the least.  Especially with God.

Ravi Zacharias, noted Christian speaker, once said, “The most empirically proven fact in all of history is the deception and wayward nature of mankind.” There are an infinite number of examples from which to choose in every person’s life.  He adds, “The most difficult thing is in history to see happen is to get man to admit his own deception and wayward nature.”

Reverse the remote to the Garden of Eden and you’ll recall it was the first sin that started all the other sins.  While God had given them the instruction manual for a fulfilled life, Adam and Eve chose to go outside of it, thinking that their way was the best way.  However, the price tag was a severe one leading to separation from God, loss of paradise, and baggage galore. 

 
EGO has often been defined as “Edging God Out.”  There is a natural tendency within mankind to do so in order to keep ourselves at the center and God on the fringe. Pride pushes us to do that.  However, when we put Him in His rightful place by positioning everything, including ourselves, behind Him, we learn to reverse the order by putting Him in the center, and our own lives on the fringe.  It’s a different kind of approach. 

EGO can be redefined as “Exalt God Only.” It’s learning to surrender to Him daily, living a Spirit-led life, and prayerfully heeding His leading.  As you read the Bible today, take time to “Exalt God Only” as we’ll be far less apt to “Edge Him Out.”

Terry Risser

Reflections

1)   In what areas are we most inclined to “Edge God Out?”

2)   How does “Exalting God” break down pride?

Copyright 2014- Terry Risser

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