Manifestations of Pride: A Deficiency of

Compassion
In Matthew 18:21-35, Jesus tells the parable of the unforgiving servant. The
parable is about a servant who begged his master to have compassion on his debt
for the debt was high. At first, the king ordered for the servant to be sold along
with his wife and children and everything else that he had to be made as payment.
But the servant fell on his knees and begged for mercy. And out of pity the king
forgave him the entire debt.

Later, the same servant went out to one of his other fellow servants who
owed him a debt and demanding payment. So then his servant fell to his knees and
pleaded to him for “patience for payment.” He refused and ordered him in prison
until he paid the debt.

The highlight of the parable comes when the king found out what his servant
had done to his fellow servant and in response ordered his servant to jail. And in
verse 35 it is written, “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if
you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

The problem with this servant was his lack of compassion towards others
and in a result his master wasn’t merciful towards him. In an eternal perspective
God will not be merciful towards those who are not merciful. Having a merciful
heart is one of the key ingredients of a regenerated Christian. “Blessed are the
merciful, for they shall receive mercy” Jesus said in the “Sermon on the Mount.”
On the flip side of this, “cursed are the non-merciful, for they shall receive no
mercy.”

In Exodus 34:6 we find one of the most important self-description of God.

“The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and
abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” The word “merciful” is synonymous
with “compassionate.” The phrase “slow to anger” may be translated “patient” or
“longsuffering.” In a nutshell God’s mercy is revealed towards the most pitiful and
miserable creatures. Even the sinner going to Hell is receiving mercy by enjoying
life, breath, food, etc. But in the end those who will not ultimately repent, God’s

A Deficiency of Compassion DwellingWithGod.com By Jay Gheen

mercy will end, His patient’s will end resulting nothing more than perfect justice
on the sinner, full blown divine wrath.

A person filled with pride doesn’t see his pitiful and miserable condition. He
doesn’t have any concern for others and will lack compassion for others and their
concerns. They can’t see beyond their own selfish desires. All this is pride in the
heart.

A Deficiency of Compassion DwellingWithGod.com By Jay Gheen