Two-minute read.
“Pride goeth before a fall,” words I often say. Whether in myself or someone else, the minute we think we do anything in our own power, we set ourselves up for quick decline. Scripture characterizes pride as an excessive belief in one’s own importance, achievements, or abilities, which leads to rebellion against God and disregard for humility. [1]
Rebelling against the Lord never goes well. As I study Jesus’s life, I realize He never became prideful. The Son of God exemplified humility, never speaking harshly to anyone, and always showing love. And, as documented so well, He died on the cross, taking our punishment for us, giving His life for ours.
Yet we forget Christ’s sacrifice and act as if we don’t need Him. Self-exaltation never ends well. We all fall short of the mark; when we forget that fact, we become prideful. I know myself, I have let self-righteousness destroy relationships and separate me from the Savior. Christ never leaves us, but we move away from Him.
Thankfully, God usually humbles me quickly. Like in a round of golf, each hole has a set of strokes to complete it, called par. When I shoot par, I quickly become prideful; it never fails. I usually play the next hole poorly, humbling me and bringing me back to the reality of my ability. Just because I feel like a golf professional for a moment doesn’t make me a pro.
Everyone struggles with pride, selfishness a common obstacle to humility. But if we keep the Son in ours and remember, we live for Him, it will help us stay humble and hungry for more of the Lord.
Journal Question:
How have you experienced pride in your life?
How has God humbled you in the past?
In what ways can you stay humble and focused on the Lord?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for keeping us humble and hungry for more of You. Please help us identify pride in our life quickly and give it to You, staying grounded in Your truth, not ours.
IJNIP. Amen
[1] https://www.britannica.com/topic/pride-deadly-sin#:~:text=In%20the%20theological%20sense%2C%20pride,the%20heavenly%20virtue%20of%20humility.
