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How often have all of us experienced this word of God in our own lives when we think we are better than our fellowman and put ourselves above where we ought to be – then in a flash we are brought “down to earth”, usually in a way that others see our fall. But do we learn? This word also applies very seriously in our spiritual life also. Often, we put ourselves up and feel good in our selves because of what we have in our lives, and then in the spirit, begin to look down on others as inferior in faith. If we do this, we will also have to take a great fall. It may not be in this life, but it certainly will be when our Lord returns, and yes, it will also be in front of all others. Christ spoke of this in His teachings in Luke 14:7-11, when He spoke of all that were bidden to a feast, and how some sought out the highest seats and the chief rooms, and He said, “When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him, And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.” When we apply this to our spiritual life, we see how important it is to learn from our natural falls because of pride, as we must never judge our fellowman, especially by outward appearance, because God does not see man as man sees man, outwardly, but God sees into the heart of man.

Once we become high-minded even our prayers become of little effect, because we soon place ourselves in the place of the Pharisee in Christ’s lesson in Luke 18:10-14. Now to understand the full meaning of this, we must know what a Pharisee in that day was. The Pharisees were a sect of Jews who took extra vows in an open service to fulfil God’s law, but as time went on, they developed a haughty spirit, and believed that because they were a Pharisee, they must be better than their fellow Jews. We can read how that haughtiness displayed itself when he (the Pharisee) noticed a publican (tax collector, lowest of esteemed man) in the temple with him.

He held his head up and prayed to himself, “God, I thank thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican; I fast (attend service) twice a week, I give tithes, etc.” – But the publican would not lift up his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast saying, “God be merciful to me a sinner.”

Christ’s words should ring loud in our ears, “I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for everyone that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

We see, we should at all times be careful that we do not allow the added blessings which we have been granted in this our Apostolic Faith to go to our heads, as it can easily be turned into pride and a haughty spirit. At all times remain humble and meek, and show this humbleness by deeds to all we come in contact with.