“By pride comes only contention…” (Prov. 13:10, NKJ).
Much of earth’s strife, conflict, turmoil, and war can be traced back to pride. It was a heart lifted up with pride that provoked the first war in all recorded history when Lucifer and his followers tried to overthrow the throne of the Most High (Rev. 12:7; Ezek. 28:17).
Pride always exalts self above true relationship to God. Contention results when pride drives a person furiously to “make it,” even if it means crawling over others and clawing his way to the top.
Pride is behind virtually all misunderstandings, disagreements, differences, church squabbles, matrimonial friction, and family turmoil. The answer to pride is a healthy spirit of humility.
The word humility is always associated with lowliness. “With the lowly is wisdom,” wrote the author of Proverbs 11:2. “Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate,” counsels the great Apostle Paul in Romans 12:6. “Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted,” says James in chapter one, verse nine, of the epistle by his name.
You and I can avoid the “hassle” of strife and conflict by heeding the words of wise Solomon: “Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud (Prov. 16:19).
A truly humble person cannot be humiliated. How can you put down someone who is already low and sitting at the feet of Jesus?
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.