Pride...nobody likes to talk about it, but R.T.Kendell, the author of, "Jealousy-The Sin No One Talks About", returns with a look at pride that, with the same easy going, but to the point style, addresses a sin that probrably is both lightly spoken of and can subconsciously slip into a person's life without an individual realizing it.
In, "The Power of Humilty", R.T.Kendell, looks at pride from a biblical sense and though shares that there can be "good pride", there is addressed the type of pride where as he shares in an excerpt,
"I therefore define pride essentially as taking oneself too seriously. Taking oneself too seriously is the common denominator in all proud people. It describes those who resent criticism, who are insecure, who cannot laugh at themselves, whose need of praise is constant, who see themselves as overly important, who fancy themselves as being very special to God (and think God bends the rules for them), who tend to blame others for their problems, who hate taking the blame, who cannot bear not getting the credit for the good they did, and who have an insatiable need to prove themselves."
A discussion in "pride" is both interesting and vital as we live in a society of "reality t.v." and driven by social media that, in a lot of sense is a form of self promotion, and with R.T.Kendell, it is look, at what point does pride become a hinderance into the Christian walk.
For anyone who uses social media, this felt to be an interesting book, as truthfully, social media is about "selling an image of oneself", a form of self-promotion and as one may see, lately, more pastors seem to be addressing both the issue and impact of Facebook and other forms of social media on the Christian walk and relationships.
Not talking down or to,Kendell really addresses the type of pride that can affect an individual such as:
There is social pride (keeping up with the Joneses),
spiritual pride (self-righteousness)
educational pride (impressing with degrees),theological pride, when one feels superior because of their rightness of doctrine, but
this is just a few of the types of pride that Kendell addresses and what is wonderful about his writing, is that its not belittling and Kendell shares how to learn from Sermon of the Mount among other examples of the bible and more than anything, this book isn't about being judgemental or feeling like being on a guilt trip, but seeking to help the reader ask questions to themselves and honestly see how God does not like pride that is self-righteously and about the self.
There are examples of tragic figures who, because of pride, lost focus on our Father in Heaven and focus a little too much on themselves and their personal achievements and with the book, "The Power of Humilty", Kendell seeks to remind the reader...its not about what other people have to think...its not about building ourselves here on earth and being noticed, but about Him, our Father in Heaven.
"The Power of Humilty' will have the reader, stop and ask themselves...are there any instances of self-righteous or arrogance and learn how God is there to help them rise about that and in the spirit of humilty, find peace and worship in and through our Heavenly Father.
This is a book that needs to be read with a teachable and open heart, and not for the easily offended, but for those who truly seek to be released from the sinfullness of a broken nature and be made whole in and through our Father in Heaven.