Pride is a subject we seldom hear taught about in church these days.
However, presently, I am seeing God work on this attitude in many of those around me.
Just this week, Breanne and I were talking. She said to me; “I believe I have walked through this season to get rid of pride.” I could understand exactly what she was talking about.
It has seemed to me that God is constantly dealing with me about pride in my heart. Granted, I pray often for God to remove all pride from me and cause me to have a humble heart. I am thankful He is continually dealing with me about pride and humility.
It has been a few years ago now when I received a letter from a pastor friend. He instructed me to deal with any and all pride in my life. He shared with me what the word says about pride. Reminding me that God doesn’t exalt those who have pride, only the humble.
His words are always with me. I practice humility. I ask God to reveal any pride in my heart and He does. He does even when I don’t want to see it.
A few days ago, someone made a comment to me about a decision I had made for me personally. Immediately I felt the need to defend myself. I thought, “how dare they say that?” My reaction was not righteous indignation, nor was it righteous anger. Nope. A few minutes later, after I defended myself, God spoke to my heart and called it what it was. PRIDE.
Oh, my word! Every time I think I am humbling myself; pride rears its ugly head.
Pride perpetuates anger and hurt. And it keeps us from the restorative effects of conviction. It keeps us from humility. It even keeps us from reconciliation
Proverbs 11:2 says; When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.
Proverbs 29:23 says; A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.
James 4:6 says; But He gives more grace. Therefore, He says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
I love how the Passion Translation says James 4:6: But he continues to pour out more and more grace upon us. For it says, God resists you when you are proud, but continually pours out grace when you are humble.
I don’t know about you today, but I continually need more and more grace poured upon me.
Proverbs 16:18 says; Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
I was speaking with a friend about this. I made a comment that I believe to be so true. I said, “If we could learn one lesson, I think it would really change our lives. That one lesson is this; it is not all about ME.”
That is a lesson God has been working with me on for several weeks. I keep finding myself in situations that are not comfortable, or not going the way I want them to. When I do, He reminds me of this truth. It is not about you.
As I thought about this today, I had to wonder. Why is God working in many of my closest friends on the same thing? Why is God dealing so heavily with pride? I believe I know why.
I believe the answer is found in 1 Peter 5:6; Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.
I believe we are in due time. I believe it is time for God to exalt His people. However, God does not exalt the proud. Only the humble are exalted in God. Therefore, we must get rid of all pride. If we refuse to humble ourselves, we do not qualify to be exalted in God. You cannot have it both ways.
Pride brings destruction. A humble heart is someone God can and will exalt. Pride is ugly. It is the root of so many sins. Refuse to allow pride to have a place in your heart. Humble yourself, today, under the mighty hand of God…and He will exalt you.
Meditate on this:
If you bow low in God’s awesome presence, he will eventually exalt you as you leave the timing in his hands. 1 Peter 5:6 Passion Translation
