Proud vs. Broken

I'm currently reading a book called "Brokenness" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I've actually read it before, just reading it again. It's so disturbing to me. It's a great book, just disturbing to me, personally. I just hit a chapter called "Am I a Proud or Broken Person" - she prefaces the entire chapter with a quote that says, "Pride is the greatest of all evils that beset us, and of all our enemies it is that which dies the slowest and hardest." - J.N. Darby

Let me tell you, the book of Psalms and Proverbs has enough negative to say about proud people that I certainly don't want to fall into that category. Let's just say this is just a book to read only if you're interested in personal growth. If your life revolves around the idea that every sermon and every scripture applies to someone other than yourself, there's no need to read any further....if none of the others apply, neither will this. For others who are looking for ways to be perfected, here's some notes from the book. None of this comes from me. It's a published book that I hold in my hand, so don't think I'm just coming up with stuff.

In this particular chapter she has 10 pages that list the 35 ways in which you can tell a proud vs a broken person. Oh, how it hurts! It covers the difference in the attitudes - toward others, about rights, about service and ministry, about recognition, about themselves, about relationships, about sin, and about their walk with God.

Here's just a sampling. I don't have enough room to include it all: I'll take a piece or two from every category. Remember there are 35. I'll go with some of the shortest, so that I'll not take too much space. They are in the respective order as listed above in the attitudes:

- Proud people focus on the failures of others and can readily point out those faults.
Broken people are more conscious of their own spiritual need than of anyone else's.

- Proud people have to PROVE that they are right - they have to get the last word.
Broken people are willing to yeild the right to be right.

- Proud people desire to be served - they want life to revolve around them and their
own needs.
Broken people are motivated to serve others and to be sure others' needs are met before their own.

- Proud people have a drive to be recognized and appreciated for their efforts.
Broken people have a sense of their own unworthiness; they are thrilled that God would use them at all.

- Proud people feel confident in how much they know.
Broken people are humbled by how very much they have to learn.

- Proud people are unapproachable or defensive when corrected.
Broken people receive correction with a humble, open spirit.

- Proud people become bitter and resentful when they are wronged; they have
emotional temper tantrums; they hold others hostage and are easily offended; they
carry grudges and keep a record of others' wrongs.
Broken people give thanks in all things; they are quick to forgive those who wrong them.

- Proud people have a hard time saying, "I was wrong, will you please forgive me?"
Broken people are quick to admit their failure and to seek forgiveness when necessary.

- Proud people don't think they need revival, but they are sure everyone else does.
(In fact, right about now, they are making a mental list of the people they think need
to read this book!)
Broken people continually sense their need for a fresh encounter with God and for a fresh filling of His Holy Spirit.

OUCH!!! THAT HURTS!!!

Just another little note. Brokenness and humility do not EVEN fall into the same category as being pitiful!! Being pitiful is a manipulative way of drawing attention to one's self. Webster defines being pitiful as "evoking contempt by smallness or poor quality." Constantly reminding everyone how "low" you are is not being humble. It's a vicious thing if it takes hold! God is not fooled! I may be - but he's not.

Well there's the growing pain of the day!!