“‘Do not go beyond the things that are written,’ in order that you may not be puffed up individually in favor of the one against the other. For who makes you to differ from another? Indeed, what do you have that you did not receive? If, now, you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?”—1*Cor. 4:6, 7.
Worldly traditions affect practically every family in one way or another. Often people do not even realize the extent to which their thinking is conditioned by the ingrained traditions and customs of the community in which they live.
Some of these traditions, which deeply affect thinking and bring in divisions and prejudices, are national pride, pride of race or clan, pride of family and its historical accomplishments; pride of wealth, caste, color or language; pride of class or profession. Some families take much pride in their ancestors and the worship of them, in the military exploits and traditions of their forebears, in the antiquity of their ecclesiastical traditions. There can be no question that these traditions, which set one man or group apart from another, are in opposition to the godly principle of unity.
The apostle Paul condemned the worldly thinking of those who are “self-assuming, haughty, .*.*. puffed up with self-esteem.” (2*Tim. 3:1-7) “God opposes the haughty ones, but he gives undeserved kindness to the humble ones.” (1*Pet. 5:5) Anyone with such attitudes cannot really help his neighbors in the way of salvation, for they will prevent him from having a brotherly association with them. Therefore all should seek humility, as God’s Word states: “The very haughtiness of earthling man will humble him, but he that is humble in spirit will take hold of glory.”—Prov. 29:23.
