Pride comes before a fall...
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Memory Scripture: Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. Proverbs 29:23
Pride.
I could tell you stories upon stories of how pride has caused me to look foolish and to be humiliated.
When it wells up inside, it burns to get out. It fills our lungs and our mouths and it desperately wants to escape and be heard.
It will never ever lead to anything good. Pride leads to destruction.
Pride destroys relationships.
Pride destroys our witness.
Pride divides and separates.
Humility restores relationships.
Humility advances our witness.
Humility brings people together in peace.
We need to look no further than the book of Genesis.
Eve took a bite of that piece of fruit due to pride.
A humble heart would have made her content with all that she had.
A prideful heart made her desire more.
Or how about Lucifer. He is described as a beautiful angel in heaven.
Yet, he was jealous of God.
His pride welled up and caused him to fall from heaven for eternity.
Pride is easy to see in others.
Pride is not so easily seen in ourselves.
Pride can swell up in any and all areas of our life.
The way we parent.
The way we spend our money. Or don't spend our money.
The house we live in.
The car we drive.
The denomination of our church.
The size of our church--either big or small.
The size of our friendship circle.
The people we associate with.
Our job.
Our "ministry".
Our bodies.
Our achievements.
Our politics.
Our good works and volunteer work.
It disgusts me even as I type.
Many of these, I have fallen into a pit of pride over.
Desperately, I want to live a humble life.
Yet, daily, pride wants to well up in my heart. Pride tempts to destroy any ounce of humility desired.
We must pray to be clothed in humility...at all times.
"Clothe yourself with humility." 1 Peter 5:5
When we least expect it, pride will rage in our veins.
Just like that roaring lion looking for someone to devour, pride is the same.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8
This world would be changed if we clothed ourselves with humility instead of pride.
Relationships would be restored. Conversations would be salt and light. Peace would bridge divisive hearts.
Humility brings honor.
Not just to ourselves but to others.
How do we uncover pride in our hearts?
Pray.
Think, before we speak.
Is what I am about to say helpful to the one listening? Or is it just boastful.
What are my intentions?
Does what I am about to say honor the Lord? Or does it just honor myself.
Does my opinion help this person or is it to make myself look lofty and wise?
Am I throwing stones at others to build myself up and to make myself look better?
Are my words helpful or hurtful to the one listening?
As we pray for God to uncover areas of pride, here are some scriptures we can meditate on in the process.
When we feel that familiar swell of pride, let's have these scriptures on hand. Let's throw them in the face of the enemy!
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." Philippians 2:3
Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. Proverbs 29:23
When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2
To fear the Lord is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech. Proverbs 8:13
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Romans 12:16
But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. 2 Corinthians 10:17-18
Before a downfall the heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor. Proverbs 18:12
Listen, sweet friend. I understand fully and in complete agreement with what Paul says in 1 Timothy 1:15, "This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all."
Lord, help us in our sin of pride.
The world desperately needs hearts of humility.
pride rehab,
jill
Subscribe to SHINE emails: Go here.
Memory Scripture: Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. Proverbs 29:23
Pride.
I could tell you stories upon stories of how pride has caused me to look foolish and to be humiliated.
When it wells up inside, it burns to get out. It fills our lungs and our mouths and it desperately wants to escape and be heard.
It will never ever lead to anything good. Pride leads to destruction.
Pride destroys relationships.
Pride destroys our witness.
Pride divides and separates.
Humility restores relationships.
Humility advances our witness.
Humility brings people together in peace.
We need to look no further than the book of Genesis.
Eve took a bite of that piece of fruit due to pride.
A humble heart would have made her content with all that she had.
A prideful heart made her desire more.
Or how about Lucifer. He is described as a beautiful angel in heaven.
Yet, he was jealous of God.
His pride welled up and caused him to fall from heaven for eternity.
Pride is easy to see in others.
Pride is not so easily seen in ourselves.
Pride can swell up in any and all areas of our life.
The way we parent.
The way we spend our money. Or don't spend our money.
The house we live in.
The car we drive.
The denomination of our church.
The size of our church--either big or small.
The size of our friendship circle.
The people we associate with.
Our job.
Our "ministry".
Our bodies.
Our achievements.
Our politics.
Our good works and volunteer work.
It disgusts me even as I type.
Many of these, I have fallen into a pit of pride over.
Desperately, I want to live a humble life.
Yet, daily, pride wants to well up in my heart. Pride tempts to destroy any ounce of humility desired.
We must pray to be clothed in humility...at all times.
"Clothe yourself with humility." 1 Peter 5:5
When we least expect it, pride will rage in our veins.
Just like that roaring lion looking for someone to devour, pride is the same.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8
This world would be changed if we clothed ourselves with humility instead of pride.
Relationships would be restored. Conversations would be salt and light. Peace would bridge divisive hearts.
Humility brings honor.
Not just to ourselves but to others.
How do we uncover pride in our hearts?
Pray.
Think, before we speak.
Is what I am about to say helpful to the one listening? Or is it just boastful.
What are my intentions?
Does what I am about to say honor the Lord? Or does it just honor myself.
Does my opinion help this person or is it to make myself look lofty and wise?
Am I throwing stones at others to build myself up and to make myself look better?
Are my words helpful or hurtful to the one listening?
As we pray for God to uncover areas of pride, here are some scriptures we can meditate on in the process.
When we feel that familiar swell of pride, let's have these scriptures on hand. Let's throw them in the face of the enemy!
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." Philippians 2:3
Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. Proverbs 29:23
When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2
To fear the Lord is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech. Proverbs 8:13
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Romans 12:16
But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. 2 Corinthians 10:17-18
Before a downfall the heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor. Proverbs 18:12
Listen, sweet friend. I understand fully and in complete agreement with what Paul says in 1 Timothy 1:15, "This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all."
Lord, help us in our sin of pride.
The world desperately needs hearts of humility.
pride rehab,
jill
