“I’m proud of you!” We say this to loved ones who accomplish something. Whether it be a child who scored a goal or a spouse who earned a promotion. That’s not the pride that kills. No, that phrase goes something more like: “I’m proud of me!” That’s the pride that kills; killing relationships, opportunities, and your own heart.
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.” (Proverbs 16:18-19 NIV)
Throughout our lives – especially for Christians – the most dangerous time is when we are successful and everything seems to be going the way we want it to. That is when the temptation of pride strolls up beside us, elevates our impressions of ourselves, and whispers lies of grandeur to us.
When someone challenges what we have believed to be correct for so long, we dig our heals in, raise our clinched fists, and are ready to die for it. Even if we are proven wrong, we tend to think: “When have I been wrong about this?” or “It feels good to always be right!”
That’s the pride that kills.
We are the enemies of God when we break His Law, which is written on our hearts and revealed to us through His Word. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23 ESV). How could we ever be able to hold our pride on our shoulders without breaking our own necks in the process? Without Christ, there is no end to our pride; it will only grow. Pride blinds us to our own arrogance, allowing us to butcher relationships and opportunities along the way until we have a dead, hardened heart.
But the destructive power that pride holds over us is NOT absolute. Jesus humbled Himself by stepping down from His throne in heaven, all to die on the cross and rise to new life. He did this to defeat sin, death, and the devil once, and for ALL. Jesus gave His life for you. He took on the penalty for all that you’ve done wrong. He offers His forgiveness to you. Those who believe and receive it, receive His righteousness. If you reject it, then you will be judged for your pride.
Turn to Him in humility. “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10 NIV). Daily repent of your sins, especially pride, and be grateful that whenever we are weak, Christ is strong; and that whenever we are faithless, Jesus remains faithful.
May God grant us His gift of humility and keep us close by Him, keeping our hearts from becoming conceited. Let’s instead remain lowly, always trusting in Christ alone and not ourselves. Be careful following your heart; “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick.” (Jeremiah 17:9a ESV). Follow Jesus; His heart is always perfect and pure and brings ongoing healing to our hearts.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Philip Frank
(Published on the Devotional Page of the Alpine Avalanche Newspaper on Thurs, Jan 4, 2024)
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