PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION

Friends, today God has led me to Proverbs 16:18: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”


Lord, please help me to correctly convey what you want me to today regarding this topic.


Dear child, many ministry and marketplace leaders are prideful. They don’t appear to be prideful to those that they lead, but their heart is infected with pride. Some have mild infections and are easily cured. Some are deeply consumed and have completely lost their way.


Yes, Lord. Sometimes I am prideful. You cure me of this malady when I need it, and I am grateful for your forgiveness and restoration. Your word says: “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11) Lord, help me to not exalt myself in this world so I can be exalted in Heaven. My wife agreed with me (she is doing this quiet time with me) and said, “Good idea.”


Child, listen to your wife. I have given you a humble wife to help you to be more humble. She is being very helpful to you in avoiding pride and embracing humility.


Father God, thank you for Patty. I am grateful for her willingness to speak into my life and give me the feedback and accountability I need to avoid becoming prideful.


Dear child, spouses are very useful for this, but they have to be given a safe space to speak into the lives of their mates. Continue to give Patty that freedom to hold you accountable and avoid sinful pride. Reflect on this: “In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.’” 1 Peter 5:5-7


Lord, those are beautiful, impactful words of life to live by. Thank you.


CONCLUSION
Let us all take the following actions to avoid sinful pride:

1. See people better than ourselves. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4
   
2. Be humble and avoid over-confidence and arrogance. “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10
   
3. Avoid all boasting. “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” James 1:26
   
   
   

May we all avoid sinful pride by seeing others better than ourselves, avoiding overconfidence, arrogance, and boasting. Being a Christ-follower requires true humility. May we follow God’s Word in this, spending time with Christ on a daily basis.
Dear child, the more time my children spend with me, the more they will avoid pride and achieve true humility.


Your aspiring servant, Daniel M.
 November 14, 2023
POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. Note: All scriptures quoted are from the NIV.
If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily conversations with Christ.