Why does it always boil down to pride?

In preparing for some teaching times, I have repeatedly come upon the problem of pride. I have defined it as the need to win. For instance, if I get in a disagreement with someone and get to the place where I feel like I have to win, I am battling pride. Now, there are times when we have to stand up and say what's right is right and what isn't right is wrong. But the Bible is not clear on every area of life (i.e., what color toothbrush should I buy next?). And when I get into the debate, am I more about winning or sharpening a brother's (or sister's) knowledge of the Sword? I'll be honest. Sometimes both are true at the same time.

But what really gets my goat is when someone declares that they have the only correct interpretation for EVERY Bible passage. Inevitably, I hear this when someone wants to bring an accusation against me. They know the proper context of the Bible and it applies only to me (or my family). Some passages are just plain simple to understand. You shall not murder (Exodus 20:13). Ok, I don't think we can disagree on what that means. But others are open to interpretation.

How about: He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (1 Timothy 3:4). What does managing a household "well "look like? And what exactly does "under control with all dignity" look like? I'm sure that each of us has a picture of what we think those terms mean. And I am equally sure that there are not many of those pictures that look exactly the same. Could it be that Paul intended that Scripture to be applied by a particular person to a particular person? Timothy was a young pastor and this epistle is written as a sort of guideline to him. It is absolutely useful for every person that claims Jesus as Lord. But what do we do when we don't agree on the interpretation?

We have 2 options.

Option 1)We can undermine one another and fight to prove that we are right and anyone else is wrong. That is the prideful way. We will be insisting on winning the argument. And it will cause division in the church when we pick things like that to harp on. Then we have to go to Romans 16:17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you have learned, and turn away from them. Our Lord Jesus did not want fights in His bride, the church. He didn't want us to be so busy "purifying the church" that we never witnessed to the world. But pride often rules the day and we get our feelings hurt. Then we can think of no "graceful" way out of the divided mess we are in, so we bail out.

or Option 2) I think there should be more talking and less blaming in the church. I think there should be more work to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. (Romans 16:19b) And I think we could accomplish it easier if we took to heart Ephesians 4:1-16:

• Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says, "WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN." (Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

May God richly bless you as you seek His will and His face.