How can we guard against pride when observing others' worship styles? Setting the Scene 2 Samuel 6:16 — “As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart.” Michal’s disdain exposes a subtle trap: instead of celebrating wholehearted worship, she judges it. From that single glance we can learn how pride sprouts and how to root it out. Where Pride Sneaks In • Pride focuses on external appearance; faith focuses on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). • Pride compares and competes; love “does not boast, it is not proud” (1 Corinthians 13:4). • Pride speaks self-righteously: “God, I thank You that I am not like other men” (Luke 18:11). • Pride forgets that “everyone will give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). Diagnosing the Michal Attitude Ask: • Am I more concerned with decorum than devotion? • Do I despise what looks undignified because it threatens my dignity? • Have I forgotten that “the fear of the LORD is hatred of evil; pride and arrogance… I hate” (Proverbs 8:13)? Guardrails Against Pride 1. Celebrate God’s Presence, not people’s performance – David’s eyes were on the ark; Michal’s eyes were on David. Fix yours on the LORD (Hebrews 12:2). 2. Remember Who owns the Church – “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls” (Romans 14:4). 3. Embrace Humility Daily – “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). – Clothing ourselves “with humility toward one another” (1 Peter 5:5) keeps the heart supple. 4. Rehearse the Gospel – We all stand only by mercy (Titus 3:5). Pride dissolves when we remember the cross leveled the ground. 5. Give Thanks for Variety in the Body – “There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord” (1 Corinthians 12:5). Diverse worship displays the manifold wisdom of God. 6. Guard Your Thoughts Immediately – Michal “despised him in her heart” before speaking. Capture early thoughts and “take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). 7. Speak Words that Build, Not Belittle – “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up” (Ephesians 4:29). Silence is often the wisest worship. 8. Test All by the Word – If a practice contradicts Scripture, address it lovingly (Galatians 6:1). If it merely differs from your preference, release it to the Lord. 9. Practice Secret Worship – Private praise trains the soul to seek God’s approval alone (Matthew 6:6). Those who dance in secret seldom scorn those who dance in public. 10. Await Final Evaluation – “Then each will receive his commendation from God” (1 Corinthians 4:5). Future judgment frees us from present judgmentalism. The Lasting Lesson Michal’s window became a mirror exposing her heart. The same scene invites us to look inward. Whenever another believer’s worship feels strange or too exuberant, the Spirit whispers: “Guard your heart; pride is crouching at the door.” Yield to humility, celebrate the Savior, and let love rejoice whenever His name is praised. |
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