Filthy Pride

Mankind has the propensity to elevate "symbols" of righteousness higher than actually being righteous in their hearts. Many people who claim to follow Christ are more about appearances than they are substance.

As long as our culture "says" they are Christian, they are comfortable. However, the moment a brother or sister suggests they need some work on something in their lives, they begin to rage as though they have no need of improvement.

Not only can most people not admit they need improvement, they are aghast that anyone would think they have issues. There is no one who with out the need for cleansing.

Romans 5:1-5
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Psalm 106:3
"Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times!"

Part of doing righteousness is admitting to things that need work in us. Those who will not evaluate themselves or admit anything, cannot grow and they not only remain child like in their walk, they regress into infancy for their stubbornness.

1 Peter 5:10
"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."

It is painful to look at ourselves in truth, it is sort of like opening the blinds of a window on a sunny day. The room is lovely until the sun shines in and we can see all the dust flying in the air. That's what light does, it exposes the dirt that was hidden by the darkness.

However, once we see our filthy self, there is great peace and joy after confessing to God and then turning from that filth. Filth is more than blatant immorality, the filth of pride dominates most American Christians, so much so that when confronted about a sin, they not only rage, they become more staunch in their resolve to prove they are allowed to do the sin they love.

2 Timothy 2:22
"So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart."