Scriptural Foundation:
Proverbs 16:18 American Standard Version (ASV)
Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 18:12 New Living Translation (NLT)
Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.
Reflection:
I am the best human coat hanger. How do I know this? Several trips to local theme park and I don’t ride roller coasters. I am not a fan of heights, so I would prefer to keep my two feet on the floor. My family and friends on the other hand, love the exhilaration of twisting and twirling through the air. The adrenaline induced euphoria, bring us back to the park every year. Being around all things tall and fast, I can’t help but think of how riding a roller coast closely simulates the pride process.
What is the pride process, you ask? It is a slow mental build up to the greatest emotional high one can naturally feel. Where fear is conquered and you have earned a seat at the table; a head above the rest. Likened to the slow lines at the theme parks; we wait for our turn to shine – wither it is at home or at work. Finally we make it up to the front and then are asked to strap in for a wild ride…a ride of which we have no control of – speed nor stopping it. Upon the conclusion of the ride, one is dropped right back where they started, but with the gained satisfaction of having survived the ride ahead of the new individuals now standing on line.
Pride is defined as a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.
It is one of those human emotions that creeps up on you, similar to the spirit of entitlement. It is a feeling that comes from a job well done, however, if mixed with another little something called ego it spoils the whole situation. The Bible says in due time we will all be lifted up; but we have to be mindful of the condition of our heart in the process. If you feel like you are a “self-made” person, your drive will get you far in this life, but eventually the fruit that you will bare will only be that of chaos and destruction. The individuals that rather serve that be served, will be raised up, but the difference will be that they have the firm footing of the Word that will sustain them.
For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service]. They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. – Psalm 91:11-12
Seeking Revelation:
Grab your notebook:
- Pride is one of those things that cannot be seen right away in ourselves. Ask your spouse, or a parent or a good friend what topics or areas they see as prideful in your life. This may be hard to here, but then it will be a two-fold application exercise of practicing the fruit of forgiveness.
- Compile this list and present it to the Lord. Ask Him to convict you have the topics or areas that are really a prideful issue (some of the things you will hear for a loved one maybe from their own perspective that may or may not be truth).
- Prayerfully work on these areas in your life and watch the Lord transform other things seemly unrelated in your life.