Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Achievements, growth and success can make people proud. Insecurity, control and entitlement mentality are acidic. Pride is inflated self-importance and superiority that often leads to boasting, stubbornness and blame shifting. Proud people refuse to admit that they are wrong and struggle to apologize. Pride is a little fox that will spoil the vine of marriage, ministry and money. Pride destroys purpose and vision.
King Uzziah became king when he was a teenager, at the age of 16. God blessed him and he prospered in artillery, military, technology, agriculture, political influence and became famous. As long as Uzziah sought the Lord, God gave him success. But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall (2 Chronicle 26:16). Pride clouds people with overconfidence and judgemental attitude. It often causes them to make impulsive decisions, poor judgments, and unwise actions. Uzziah disobeyed the Lord by entering the temple to burn incense, a duty that was reserved to the priests, and was struck with leprosy. Eighty courageous priests tried to stop the arrogant king but Uzziah’s heart was calloused with arrogance and he refused to listen to them.
Leprosy was a lethal and devastating disease in ancient times that ostracized the affected from their family and society. Pride cost Uzziah his throne and struck him with humiliation. “If you want to test a man’s character, give him power and money.” Fame, fortune and flamboyance drowned Uzziah in pride that led to his downfall! Pride is the leprosy to the soul.
Catch the little fox of pride that creeps-in to destroy progress:
1. Sober: With any achievement, it is important to be sober and clear headed. Everything we have has come from the hand of the Lord. So, any praise, promotion or progress must turn into an acclamation to God our Father, the Giver of all gifts.
2. Sensitive: Be sensibly sensitive, meaning; respond to all situations with good judgement, spiritually alert, reasonable and practical, considering the feelings and needs of those around you.
3. Surrender: When the heart puffs up, be quick to surrender, humble and apologize. God humbles those who refuse to humble themselves.
Destroy the little foxes of pride.
Prayer: Dearest Holy Spirit, I humble myself under your mighty hand. Help me to be sensitive to any stench of pride or arrogance. Amen.
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