Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride causes people to boast, to be high-minded, to think more highly of themselves than they should, or to take more credit than they are due. It is characterized by an excessive degree of self-esteem and an unreasonable sense of superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, accomplishments, social position, or professional status. When people operate in pride and think proudly, they put on lofty airs. Proud people are often contemptuous of others, and insolent or rude in the way they treat others.
The pride of our hearts deceives us (Obadiah 3). It distorts our perceptions, and we don’t see things as they truly are. We don’t see other people’s value, nor do we see our own flaws.
God wants us to have a humble heart, which is the opposite of a proud heart. People who are humble do not think too highly of themselves, but they lean on God and know they are nothing without Him. They are courteous, have a modest evaluation of their own worth, and are conscious of their defects. They think highly of other people and have good manners.
God tells us in His Word that if we humble ourselves under His mighty hand, He will exalt us in due time (1 Peter 5:6). If we refuse to humble ourselves, God will have to do it for us. He lifts us up as long as we remain humble, but He can also quickly bring us down if we become filled with pride.
Prayer of the Day: Father, I ask that You continue to work with me to keep me humble. I repent for pride, and I recognize that I am nothing without You. Help me to always treat others well and never to think I am better than anyone else. In Jesus’ name, amen.
