There are two distinct voices within us constantly vying for our attention.

The thoughts and ideas they promote are polar opposites of one another. We choose to follow one or the other and the one we choose sets us on a course.

One course leads down the road towards things like jadedness, bouts with uncontrollable anger, jealousy envy, boastfulness and the other leads us towards meekness, gratitude, patience, kindness and a gentle heart.

Wondering which voice is which?

Read the examples below and it will be clear.

Pride says, “I’ll pull myself up by my own bootstraps. I don’t need anyone’s help.”

Humility says, “LORD, please have mercy and deliver me!”

Pride says, “I associate with those who are worthy to elevate my own status.”

Humility says, “I am not ashamed to associate with the lowly for I could easily be one of them.”

Pride says, “I will promote myself through my words so that others will see just how good I am.”

Humility says, “I will promote God with my words for there is nothing good within me to promote.”

Pride says (of the less fortunate), “They made their own bed and now they need to lay in it!”

Humility says, “Oh, LORD, have mercy on the broken and the poor in spirit. Lift them up to You and surround them with Your peace.”

In the end, the voice of pride leaves us flat on our faces as we are overcome by shame, grief and the reality that we have been lied to all along.

We can almost hear it laughing in our hour of most desperate need. The road this voice leads us down dead ends in destruction whether it be in this life or the one to come.

Likewise, when following the voice of humility we will experience pain and hardship. Yet it comes from a completely different heart.

It is the heart that breaks for the hurting and the lost. It is a heart that yearns for people to experience God’s love first hand.

This road also leads somewhere… to a place more incredible than anything we could have conjured up in even our wildest dreams.

We all follow a voice and deep inside. Both voices carry a burden. One feels much like our own troubles.

The weight of self protection, self preservation and fending for ourselves is heavy load indeed. The other burden feels like a big piece of wood… fastened into the shape of a cross.

Which voice are you listening to? Which burden are you carrying?

 

~ Mitch Salmon

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Mitch Salmon is the founder of Fisher of Men Productions and a follower of Jesus Christ and proclaimer of the Good News – The Gospel of Christ Jesus!

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