People follow ‘leaders’ – what they teach, and the examples they set. That’s why teachers face a stricter judgment.
When the ‘leaders’ boldly practice sin before the people of God, then, it’s their endorsement of it, and particularly, the corporate popular approval of other leaders who are in association, who agree, i.e. a snowballing effect, they become emboldened by the knowledge that many other leaders are doing the same things and getting away with it, and prospering : and then, the sin becomes approved – it’s no longer sin, rather, it becomes ‘sanctified’, in an unholy ‘reverse sanctification’. Their consciences become seared – insensitive to the truth – to the real Jesus.
This happened to backsliding Israel, and God sent prophets to bring them back in touch with the unchanging absolute truth of God’s Word.
Spiritual pride was the sin of Lucifer, the very first sin ever recorded.
How is it legitimized (institutionalized) today?
ian
Ian Vincent 
January 29, 2008 at 8:19 am
I know of a lot of so-called christian forums out there who practice spritual pride as they try and justify how “right” they inevitably are, and how “wrong” everyone else is – when in fact they don’t have an iota of forgiveness in their hearts, and can’t bring themselves to humility and study the Word of God to test their beliefs. But then again, they don’t believe the Word of GOD has the final say, as they don’t believe it to be the Word of God – so if the Bible doesn’t have the finaly say, nor the final authority – then what does? who does? Those spirits who visit them in their sleep – who they haven’t tested? It’s downright shocking.
Instead they have a wordly take on dissecting certain posts in the minutest detail, take part in verbal and spiritual “gymnastics” to prove their point, not to mention “back peddling” (now you post it intentionally, then you don’t), as well commenting on certain issues and topics, but doing it months later, when discussing and dissecting certain issues or posters, instead of having discussed it with that particular poster at that time – privately, and sorting it out there and then. Why let it slide? For what reason? I guess it’s all to make themselves look nice and “spiritual” and intact. Yet they cannot see it.
The rule on a certain forum has become : We will ban because it’s done on all other forums on the internet. So does that mean, if they jump in the fire, it’s okay for you to do the same? Wasn’t the initial rule of not banning people instilled because of what happened to them, that they experienced spiritual abuse? How quickly some people forget. It seems the abused becomes the abuser eventually. And that’s okay? Whatever happened to CHRISTIAN love AND forgiveness? Or is their forum just their to “catch” people out who don’t agree with their subtle form of dominionism (reconstructionism), or their hypocrisy? I guess when you are quick to point out everyone else’s hypocrisy, you have a tendency to forget your own. Eh?
January 29, 2008 at 8:25 am
Please Note : I’m not referring here to the situation where a person or persons should be banned for spewing out pure, continuous apostasy and lies, nor am I talking about being banned for telling the Truth (as stated in the Bible).
What I’m talking about is pure spiritual pride – when God’s Word has proven you wrong, yet you prefer and choose to hold onto the lie.
And I couldn’t resist the “eh” at the end :-) Wasn’t being sarcastic – just thought it sounded right.
January 29, 2008 at 11:41 pm
There’s a lot of it.
Who are you, anyway?
I am brother Mark. I live in Missouri, U.S.A.
I’ve enjoyed your posts.
Peace
January 30, 2008 at 2:06 am
Gillian wrote: “I know of a lot of so-called christian forums out there who practice spritual pride as they try and justify how “right” they inevitably are, and how “wrong” everyone else is”.
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They’ll always be two sides to this coin, eh. Of course, “trying to be right for one’s own ego’s sake” is not Christianity, yet, bcos we are dealing with a mixed multitude – endtime apostate christianity, “earnestly contending for the faith once delivered to the saints” is going to be perceived, by those who don’t know Jesus, as “trying to be right, argumentative, harsh, egotistic…” etc…
Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder.
January 30, 2008 at 9:53 am
In other words, His acceptance, forgiveness and love is all that counts to us as Christians. Who needs man’s approval anyway? As long as we’re right in the sight of Almighty God, I’d say we’re on a winning streak. Great thought that. I often sit and wonder about how things will be during the millenium – no more sorrow, no more grief, no more injustice, etc, etc.
Imagine – children will be able to put their hands down the holes of snakes and there’ll be no danger of them being bitten, they’ll be safe – I’ll have a glorious time playing with Lions, Tigers, Elephants, Kangaroos, Bush Babies, Birds, etc, etc, I think I’ll have my own personal zoo :-) God willing.
January 31, 2008 at 12:49 am
And lions will eat grass (Isaiah). Just as well, eh. Yes, it’ll be great when Romans 8:19-23 is actualized in the earth, the creation released into the glorious liberty of the children of God. When Jesus bodily returns.
Re: our witness. It’s God’s sovereign purpose that we are faithful to His Word, and continue to faithfully hold forth the Word of Life right to the end, FOR HIS SAKE, faithful until death. That’s why people get martyred, bcos of their testimony (truth). It’s not the ‘navel gazers’ and ‘TV watchers’ who get martyred. They can pride themselves that they never get into arguments, never caused any trouble. They safely buried their talent, at least it was safe!!! “It was good for ME” – their pitiful testimony. The man of few words is always considered to be wise, everyone is fooled into thinking he’s wise.
The Bible was only ever intended for “children”. We should never go beyond the simplicity of child-like faith. i.e. When God says something, that’s the way it is.
January 31, 2008 at 6:39 am
A great thought that – Imagine : Lions eating grass! :-) Wow.
Yet very true. I wonder how many in the world would laugh at that.
February 2, 2008 at 2:23 am
Spiritual pride is the default normal modus operandi for all who are illegitimate children, who don’t receive the chastisement of the Father, who throw off His yoke.
“The pride of life” – that inflated hot air balloon that keeps the system going , keeps the wheels of the christian industry oiled, it has nothing to do with our crucified Leader.
February 4, 2008 at 10:08 am
I think pride works both ways in that –
A person is too proud to admit his or her sin or even let go of it.
And if and when they eventually do see the light – then the other party is too proud to forgive them and wallows in the “good feeling” of making them suffer.
The way of the world.
We are to forgive 70 x 7. That’s a command from our Lord, Jesus Christ.
October 18, 2008 at 2:16 am
RE: ““The pride of life” – that inflated hot air balloon that keeps the system going , keeps the wheels of the christian industry oiled, it has nothing to do with our crucified Leader.”
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My little children, these things I write to you, that you may not sin. And if someone should sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not only concerning ours, but also concerning those of the whole world.
Now by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
He who claims to abide in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
Brothers, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I am writing to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shines. He who says that he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you on account of His name. I am writing to you, fathers, because you have come to know Him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I am writing to you, little children, because you have come to know the Father. I wrote to you, fathers, because you have come to know Him who is from the beginning. I wrote to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Because everything that is in the world–the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away, and its lust; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
(1John 2:1-17)
Everything that the christian ‘ministry’ industry is built on and is sustained by is passing away.