True success in life is unobtainable by the power of pride. At the center of it is the self. How many have built some magnificent edifice to themselves or reached the top of the corporate latter only to feel unfulfilled? Why are so many failing to perform at their optimal level or afraid to step out of the mainstream? Some might say, “The fear of what others might think;” but, isn’t pride at the center of it, along with the fear of rejection? Why do some fear what others might say? In essence, pride is the counterfeit of true confidence which is trust in the One who lives in you.
Pride can take you to new heights and the top of them awaits a haughty spirit. It will gleefully embrace you, and then give you a hefty shove over the edge, laughing as you plummet to the bottom. It mocks those who fall into the pit of despair as the result of their foolish pride. Remember one simple truth: pride seeks to glorify the self; not God! Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Beware of spiritual pride. It is probably one of the most deceptive forms of egotism there is, and there’s nothing spiritual about it. Humility is a major key to true spirituality. Humility knows its Source. One place spiritual pride loves to show up is at major victories. There a number of nuances involved with this, which makes it less obvious at the beginning. They may range from, “My faith did this” to “I am superior to others because God is on my side.” Do understand in conjunction with the later, our true concern should be whether we’re on His side. Consider Joshua’s case.
Joshua 5:13-15 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the captain of the Lord’s host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.
There are biblical examples where God saved the day and those who were rescued became prideful. King Hezekiah is one instance.
2 Chronicles 32:22-26 Thus the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side. And many brought gifts unto the Lord to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth. In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the Lord: and He spake unto him, and He gave him a sign. But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem. Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah (read the entire chapter for fuller context).
One never has to fear pride when one’s knees are bent before the King of kings and Lord of Lords. It’s a matter of mindful worship in which we ever seek to glorify Him. If we do all things as unto God, while understanding it’s by His grace we stand, pride will find no place in our heart. Simply, purpose to do nothing out of arrogance, while remaining humble and yielded to Him.
