The arrogant utterly deride me,
Yet I do not turn aside from Your law.
"Pride leads to scorning and scoffing.
When one thinks he is above others, he tends to scorn those he thinks are beneath him.
The more one swells with pride, the more he sees himself farther and farther above more and note others. This his scorning of others grows.
It is sad to meet persons like that. From time to time you will encounter them in counseling. When you detect scornful attitudes on the part of a counselee, look for pride."
from pages 45 and 46 of Jay Adams', "Counsel from Psalm 119"
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Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling.
The dangers of pride are so many, too many to count. We just need to observe those around us (and definitely chasten ourselves!) to see pride running rampant.
Pride certainly does "swell" and it swells into arrogance.
"Manipulators and Controllers" (persons who live to control and manipulate others) certainly have great pride in themselves, and their sinful behavior does swell and grow to where they become unbelievably powerful over other people in their arrogance
Those people who are free and not under such control, many times do not understand "why" those unfortunate people who are controlled by a Manipulator continue to allow it. Sometimes, there is little sympathy, little mercy for those caught under the control of a Manipulator.
News Flash:
We are fragile people. We humans are sheep, and no matter who we are or how intelligent we are, any of us can be lured into following a Manipulator and thus get under their control.
After beginning to believe and follow a Manipulator, it becomes more and more difficult to "see" actual truth even when it is pointed out to you. The person caught under the control of a Manipulator begins to only believe that the Manipulator has the real truth.
*Christians are not immune from becoming a Manipulator, because they can still choose to sin!
Christians are not immune from being controlled by a Manipulator, and in fact, they can be easy prey to a Manipulator, especially if that controlling person says they are a Christian. Look for RED FLAGS!
What is the damage to a Christian who is caught under control and manipulation?
A Christian's freedom is gone, to whatever degree, the more control and manipulation is placed on them. Their freedom in Christ is gone, and freedom in their own personal lives is lost.
Once the Manipulator begins to control another person, the person who is caught under their control has their faith more and more "shipwrecked".
1 Timothy 1:18-20
This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme.
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LORD, have mercy!
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