Week 38
Pride
The Lord detests all the proud of heart.
Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
Proverbs 16:5
Pride can sneak into our lives in several ways. Sometimes, we need help but we do not want to humble ourselves to ask for help. That can be a form of pride. Sometimes, people are prideful because of their wealth, position, or education. In churches it is very important that we watch out for spiritual pride. There are some who are proud of working very hard for God, living a holy life, having read the Bible multiple times, or praying so many times a day. It is wonderful to do these things, but when the work we do becomes sources of self-righteousness instead of the blood of Christ, spiritual pride sets foot in our lives and we can become condescending, critical, and destructive. Some symptoms of pride can be entitlement, fear that keeps us from doing what God wants us to do, power control, unawareness of one’s weaknesses, and a lack of admission of mistakes. Proverbs 13:10 tells us, “Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.” Whenever there is strife in church, pride is present. Let us examine our hearts and humble ourselves in Christ.
Gracious God, please help us to humble ourselves in Your presence. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.