Lord, Take the Pride Out of an Aggie
“The LORD detests all the proud of heart." Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.”
(Proverbs 16:5 ESV)
Pride is the belief that we are too self-sufficient to seek guidance from a savior. It is insisting on your own path and rejecting God’s calling and counsel. It is not living with the constant awareness that every breath is dependent on God’s will.
Being proud implies believing that you have sufficient strength, ability, and wisdom to live and manage your life.
Let’s be honest. We have all harbored some form of pride in our lives and have neglected to practice the spiritual disciplines.
How do you know?
- You believe you are humble in all aspects of your life.
- You reject advice and constructive criticism.
- You are self-conscious about your appearance.
- You want to be the center of attention at all times.
- You don’t associate with “less than” or unpopular people.
- You cannot be taught.
- You believe that you are too important to assist or pray for others.
CAN I GET AN AGGIE PRIDE?!
Should you be proud to be an Aggie? Should you be partying till sunrise while we bury the lives of innocent individuals that never got saved and established a relationship with God?
No.
Don't get me wrong, being an Aggie does have the power to change the world in so many ways.
1977 was the year “Aggie Pride" appeared, and it later became an acronym in 2003 for “Achieving Great Goals in Everything—Producing Renowned Individuals Dedicated to Excellence.” This acronym, as well as the numerous definitions of “Aggie Pride,” are correct as Aggies continue to make headlines and achieve excellence by leading in every profession.
Aggies have gone to fulfill our forefathers’ wildest dreams. Aggies have represented the Oscars, cured diseases, won Grammys, established scholarships, and paved the way for our generation and many more to come.
At what cost? What does God say about “Aggie Pride”?
God hates pride.
Every evil impurity roaming the halls and academic buildings of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is born of pride. In our society, the devil is more prominent than in the Garden of Eden. What began as a forbidden fruit evolved into a nefarious plot to steal, kill, and destroy God’s people.
In hindsight, we can become so oblivious to the many deceptive experiences that come with college. But the reality is that God is coming for his people who believe in Him, who have put him before themselves, and for those who knowingly and willingly do evil.
It has been said that the world tells us to “conform to me!” the flesh tells us to “satisfy me!” and the devil tells us to “worship me!” Each of these is supported by biblical evidence.
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
(Proverbs 16:18 ESV)
How is pride sinful behavior?
In Genesis 1:31, when God saw everything He had made, He declared it to be “very good.”
Pride is not “very good.”
It was not in them when God created them, but it entered their minds when Satan was present. The very first display of that pride resulted in death and expulsion from God’s presence and the Garden.
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At some time following his creation by God, pride arose in Satan, and he uttered this desire, as written in Isaiah 14:13–14:
For you have said in your heart: “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.”
His devious offer to Adam and Eve in the Garden foreshadows his challenge to God. This act of arrogance alienated him from God.
Satan was corrupted by his (pride) lofty feelings of superiority regarding his beauty. It duped him into wanting even more power to match his radiance.
Deciding to commit suicide has become a campus norm.
Taking a bite of the unclean fruit—pride stems from fear of man, not fear of God. Societal norms have made the college experience a popularity contest, or a cult-based sorority where members worship each other rather than the creator.
According to the University of Michigan CAPS, roughly 24,000 college students attempt suicide each year, with 1,100 individuals succeeding, making suicide the second-leading cause of death among college students in the United States.
College is a period of major adjustment.
Many students who attend N.C. A&T are living away from home for the first time and have limited access to family and friends for assistance. Students encounter higher stress from a variety of reasons, including increasing academic obligations, adjusting to a new setting, and creating a new support system, in addition to more freedom and independence.
When we hide the fact that we are proud from others, we are saying :
- “I am terrified of people, and I base my decisions about what I will say and do on this dread.”
- “I am terrified to speak up for what is right.”
- “I am concerned about how others may interpret my actions or words.”
- “I desire man’s favor first and foremost, not God’s.”
“Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time?”
(Ecclesiastes 7:17 ESV)
Students have normalized gun violence during GHOE.
The greatest homecoming on earth always seems to end in losing students at N.C. A&T, which is something students are all too familiar with.
Where is the pride in losing your roommate?
Victims like Kaneycha Turner, 19, and Ronaldlee Snipes 15, didn't deserve to die at such a young age. Setting aside your pride, stripping yourself of comparison, and taking a path that is narrow and not wide could be the very thing that saves your life.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. (Psalms 46:9 ESV)
Not enough is being done about the toxic rape culture.
Why do we keep quiet about the things that affect us the most? especially when students are at risk and are blindsided by the danger that could live right next door.
There should be no reason why most of the cases found on campus go unresolved. When we choose to stay quiet we strip ourselves from humanity in a society that prides itself on evil-doing.’
There are still students who have not spoken up about their experiences around this issue, but we can learn from survivors like Kylah Guion, Raina Gee, and Raina Matthews, who called their perpetrators by name and used their social media platform to urge the university to take action.
“Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.”
(Ephesians 5:11 ESV)
Open your eyes to the deception.
We have all been spiritually blind, especially when we have felt the presence of God but ignored it. Don’t become so far gone to the point where you can finally hear the truth but you cannot see what it means. Take a look at salvation and see how it applies to your life as you are finishing off this semester.
Do not be easily influenced, and do not dwell in the darkness. Stop thinking that you can change the evil that is on campus; instead, find repentance in your heart and have faith that God knows what is true and right.
Salvation will never cost you your life. It is a free gift from God to know that your sins are forgiven because Jesus paid the ultimate price.
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
(Proverbs 11:2 ESV)
