Angels have no envy, because they have no pride. Is God glorified? angels are happy. Let the glory of God be our delight, our meat, our drink. Love envieth not: if one member be honoured, saith love, that is my honour, my joy.
Christ must be extolled and be very high in our hearts, if the unruly flesh and its wayward cravings are to be curbed.
Self-righteousness and carnal wisdom are ringleaders of the enemies of the soul.
We should deal with our corrupt nature as we would with a notorious thief,—never trust it.
The greater part of our sorrows arise from mortified pride, thwarted self-will, and anxious unbelief.
Pride has always an envious eye and an envious tongue: envy is but the vexation of pride.
It is a mark of true growth in grace and spirituality of mind, to be looking back and dealing afresh with God respecting past iniquities. The soul is greatly profited by a tender conscience dealing before the Lord with the sins of early youth. Defects of character, and feeble resistance of temptation, may be traced up to neglect of dealing with God through the cross about our easily besetting sins. Looking back and reviewing our past state will enable us to read the story of God’s present discipline, and aid us in the present and future growth of our souls.
The gospel of Christ is a more open enemy to the pride of man than is the law of Moses. Israel received Moses’ commandments with vows of obedience, but said of Christ, “Away with Him! crucify Him!”
The master-sin of man is independence of God. What is the cure? Christ the Son of God self-abased, even to the death of the cross. (Phil. 2:5-8.)
Naaman, the Syrian, was somebody in his own sight; therefore he was angry at the commandment which made him nothing.