Vigilance

One of the common but serious mistake that I'm seeing more and more as of late is that I'm not vigilant about protecting myself from the pitfall of sins and temptations, and primarily in the issue of pride. For example, in my workplace where I see so many patients a day, I can easily become so self-dependent on my ability to treat through all that knowledge that I have, and training that I received from school and such. But when I face a difficult patient and when my knowledge base becomes a shriveled prune, I become frustrated and more prideful.

So how does that related to being a vigilant person? For one, because I'm so prone to be self-righteous and my sinful nature loves to boast in myself, even in good things in life that God bestows in us such as my ability to work can certainly become a place to breed my pride. So I would have to approach work with the expectations that WHEN I WILL be tempted to self-justify, I would need to preach the Gospel to myself.

By definition, vigilant means being "alertly watchful especially to avoid danger." (according m-w.com). That means one would have to expect that there WILL be danger, and not foolishly thinking that everything is alright just because you had a good quiet time or was inspired through a good book reading and such. While those things could definitely affect the person to grow, it would be foolish to think that rest of day is "a piece of cake" because of one had done those things that I mentioned.

So how does one become Biblically vigilant? I'm still finding out. But I do know this. It must start from God. I cannot will myself into thinking that I can change or grow in maturity simply by working harder. If not careful, it could become self-righteousness. But a great way to start is to survey the Cross. Look at what Christ has done for you and I on the Cross. Our sins have caused Him to bear the Holy and Rightful wrath of God. There we see that our sins were So great and so horrific that it took Christ, perfect Son of God to be crucified.

But it does not stop there. We must continue in storing up His Word (and I believe Jerry Bridges have already shared with us regarding how he prepares himself everyday in preaching the Gospel).

Some other practical applications for all of us. (no specific order of importance)

1) Memorize and dwell and meditate the Word of God throughout the day.
2) Pray throughout the day. It's ironic because I tell my patients to do certain exercises for better posture and such, throughout the day! Yet the same application is true for being a vigilant person. Asking God to write His Word in our hearts.
3) Share it with others with intention of encouragement in the Gospel!

I'm sure there are other ways, but Ephesians 6:10-20 is clear about the need for vigilance:


10Finally,^(M) be strong in the Lord and in^(N) the strength of his might. 11^(O) Put on^(P) the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against^(Q) the schemes of the devil. 12For^(R) we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against^(S) the rulers, against the authorities, against^(T) the cosmic powers over^(U) this present darkness, against^(V) the spiritual forces of evil^(W) in the heavenly places. 13Therefore^(X) take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in^(Y) the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14Stand therefore,^(Z) having fastened on the belt of truth, and^(AA) having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and,^(AB) as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16In all circumstances take up^(AC) the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all^(AD) the flaming darts of^(AE) the evil one; 17and take^(AF) the helmet of salvation, and^(AG) the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18praying^(AH) at all times^(AI) in the Spirit,^(AJ) with all prayer and supplication. To that end^(AK) keep alert with all perseverance, making^(AL) supplication for all the saints, 19and^(AM) also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth^(AN) boldly to proclaim^(AO) the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I^(AP) am an ambassador^(AQ) in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."


Have a great day in the Lord!

Pride and Contempt

“He also told his parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt.” Luke 18:9

J.Bridges reminds us that seeing pride in others is so much clearer and easier than to see it in oneself. The outworking of pride can be very obvious at times – i.e. boasting in your abilities to others that one will continuously desires to draws attention to one’s self. Sometimes it is not so obvious as the outworking of pride may not be so threatening to others. For example, something that I battle frequently is receiving complements from others at work (as well as other areas). When others encourage or thank me for something that I did for them, I often try to downplay it and respond quickly with an encouragement of my own (which sadly enough it may not be so genuine or well-thought out) as though I must return the favor. This is a hidden form of pride – false humility.

But what about those prideful lies inside of us that entice us to think we are better than others in _____ (you fill’n the blanks). In the book of Luke, Jesus warns us through the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14), that our self-righteousness blinds us from the reality of our sins, and therefore relying on own merit of being justified before God. But the shocking word here is ‘contempt.’ In verse 9, those people (most likely the Pharisees) “trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt.” (Luke 18:9)

The definitions of the word contempt are listed below:

–noun

1.	the feeling with which a person regards anything considered mean, vile, or worthless; disdain; scorn.

2.	the state of being despised; dishonor; disgrace.

3.	Law. a. willful disobedience to or open disrespect for the rules or orders of a court (contempt of court) or legislative body. b. an act showing such disrespect.

Now I’m no lawyer but I know that in court, showing contempt in front of a judge can have severe consequences since it implies that you are in total disrespect to the judge and to the legal system. In the same way, those are the implications of self-righteous ones; it is not only executing one’s self-justification before God, it is taking an offense to God with a defiant fist held up in the air shouting, “I’m good enough for my own salvation and I don’t need a Savior to depend on!” And yes, it is also contempt to others as well, which is to disdain or despising everyone else. But we must foremost understand that self-righteous heart in form of pride offends God and bruises His love for us in Christ. And as one of many consequences of it, we turn out often hating others because of it. It’s THAT subtle and deadly.

Pride. No wonder God hates it (Proverbs 16:5).