They're out there, and they are legion. So convinced of their awesomeness, they are eager to bestow it upon the unwashed masses (that's how they view you and me). Their opinions are presented as gospel truth, and those who question it or, God help them, disagree, are immediately denounced as unintelligent, simple, and in need of correction.
Pride.
Let me say, there is absolutely nothing wrong with being proud of a job well done, or of something that's taken a lot of effort to accomplish. That's a pride that's earned. No, the kind of pride I'm talking about is the grandiosity that comes from a person so utterly convinced they are smarter, holier, right-er, or...well, just about any -er you can think of. THAT pride makes the person expressing it look pompous and arrogant, and it makes the person on the receiving end of it feel inadequate and small.
Now comes my battle cry: What does the bible say about it? Thankfully, this is one of the topics the bible addresses repeatedly and thoroughly.
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Proverbs 26:12
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Phillipians 2:3
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
Romans 12:16
These three verses particularly resonate with me. As Christians, we are specifically called to be humble, not arrogant. We are directed not to act like, or believe we are better, smarter, or any -er than anyone else. And we are specifically told not to create rivalries between ourselves and others - that includes homeschooling vs. public schooling, denomination vs. denomination, or at-home parent vs. working parent.
Humility is underscored and given as a directive.
Even the most humble among us struggle with pride in some form or other. We're not perfect, but we have to at least try.
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