English: Captain rank insignia for the United States Navy during the Civil War. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The commander came to the captain.  “There is a traitor in your ranks.”  The captain felt the shock within his bones.  How could integrity remain when a spy had been among them?

“Who is it?” The captain asked in a whisper, for he did not even know if the traitor had accompanied him into the conversation with his commander.

“He is very close to you.  He is privy to all your intelligence.  He even listens hard when you think you are alone.  He is dressed perfectly as one of you.  And though he is among your ranks you would not recognize him if I were to point him out.”

The captain was astonished at these words.  “Then what shall we do sir?  We cannot disband all my men for the sake of this evil man.”

Now the commander said something even more unexpected.  “I cannot advise you regarding what to do.  I can only warn you that he is there.  And that you are hopelessly blinded to his presence.”

The captain was now frightened for the sake of his charge and integrity before his commander.  “How can I hope to serve you with this man among my ranks?  Without your help I will surely become a liability on the battle field!  Why won’t you help me identify and discharge this man?”

“I cannot help you captain.  For the traitor is your pride of position.  You are blinded by his presence, though your men all know when he steps in front of you.  I tell you about it because it is causing troubles in our army.  But what can I do to help you in this?”

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How shall be pride be dealt with?  It is an animal within us.  And when he appears our eyes are covered.  We do not know where he comes from nor when he appears.  I have asked the Lord regarding this.  “How shall this be dealt with?  How shall we find victory over what we cannot perceive?”

By the words of man I present the answer.  “The food of pride is praise.  As often as we seek it we feed our enemy.  If we wish to starve our enemy to death, stop seeking praise.  This is the reason we are warned to flee from he who compliments us.  Such men are called flatterers.  Though we intend to starve our enemy (even the enemy of God among us), the flatterers will offer food for their friend.”