Ancient Words For Today - 25
Pride is a stumbling block which hampers our walk with God and causes strife between men. Prideful thoughts dim our vision of God's will and dull our discernment of His direction for our lives. Our pride spawns the deceptive belief that we are better qualified than any one, including God, to know what is true and best for us and make our own decisions. This lofty attitude of trusting in ourselves more than in God, keeps us from turning to God for the wisdom, guidance and resources we need. When we leave God out of our planning process, we risk making decisions and taking actions that may be outside of God's will, or sinful, and that could lead to harmful consequences to ourselves and others.
Pride precipitated the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden when they believed the lie of Satan instead of believing God. God had instructed them that they could eat of the fruit of every tree in the garden except the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. He warned them that if they ate of that fruit, they would die. Satan contradicted God, insisting they would not die, but that their eyes would be open to know good and evil and they would become like God. Their rebellious attitude of believing Satan instead of God led to their fall. They became guilty of breaking God's law and, in their shame, they sought to hide from Him and cover their sin. The death process began in their bodies just as God said.
We are also guilty of pride when we exalt ourselves above God by not trusting and waiting upon Him, when we are willful, doing our own will instead of His, and when we choose to break His commandments. Here are a few of the many Bible passages concerning pride and the disastrous results it can cause.
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. Proverbs 13:10
A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. Proverbs 29:3
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. Proverbs 16:17-20
Dear Lord, help us to understand how desperately we need You, to seek Your wise and loving counsel, and call upon You for direction as we hearken to Your words through the prophet Isaiah: Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:6-9