Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction and
haughtiness before a fall.”
I read an article by the
late J. Vernon McGee from his “Thru the Bible” monthly newsletter, where he
explains that pride destroys the testimony of many Christians and makes them
ineffective for God. What is pride? Webster’s dictionary defines pride, in
light of the Scripture verse above, as an inordinate self-esteem; an
unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth,
accomplishments, rank or elevation in office, which manifests itself in lofty
airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others. McGee adds that pride
of heart is the attitude of a life that declares its ability to live without
God; having a false sense of security, severing all relationship with God, seceding
from the government of God, revolting in rebellion against Him.
Proverbs 8:13 “The fear of
the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil
way and the perverse mouth I hate.”
McGee goes on to ask: How
many people today are attempting to run their lives as if they were God? They
feel that they don’t need God, and they live without Him. God did not make us
with neither a steering wheel or automatic pilot to our life because He wants
to guide our lives. He wants us to come to Him for salvation first, and then He
wants to take charge of our lives aligned with His perfect Word, Will and Way
for His purposes.
Proverbs 11:2 “When pride
comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.”
McGee states that when you
and I run our lives, we are in the place of God. We are in the driver’s seat.
That is pride, and anyone who reaches that position, if they continue in it as
a way of life, is committing a sin which is fatal because it is a fall into
destruction for eternity. This is not the will of God for anyone. James 4:5-7 Do you think that the Scripture says in vain,
“The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? But He gives more
grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but
gives grace to the humble.” Therefore
submit to God.
In Christ, Brian
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