A Moment in Proverbs- Pride

Proverbs 11:2, “When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.”

Humility comes before honor (see Proverbs 15:33) and wisdom also comes with humility.  When pride comes knocking at our heart-door, disgrace is soon to follow.  I remember my grandmother often stating “Pride goes before the fall” but the Word of God actually says that pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.  Either way, I don’t want to be found prideful!  

Pride is a trait we work against in our family as we know that “pride in self” is devastating not only to the person being prideful but to those around us.  Pride is often accompanied by Jealousy; Selfishness; Greed; Persecution/Ridicule and Slander of others; False, Cursing and Evil Speech; Contention; Foolishness; and the list goes on. 

When we are faced with pride, either in ourselves or others, we must immediately deal with it.  Do not allow the seed to take root in our lives or those we are entrusted to raise for His Kingdom.  Turn immediately to God’s Word and look to the counterpart regarding the fruit of the spirit; we are to walk in the light of the Lord: for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth; proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. Galatians 5 tells us that we are to have love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance as our guide.  If we are Christ’s children, our prideful flesh must be crucified.  If we live in the Spirit, then we also walk in the Spirit.  Remember, pride must be cast far away from our lives or the end result will be shame.

Prayer:  Father, Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reaches unto the clouds. Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preserves man and beast. How excellent is thy loving-kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. Continue thy loving-kindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart. Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.  In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Abiding Still,

Connie Renfro ©