I don’t think most people struggle on a daily basis with murder.
Or stealing. Or even lying or adultery.
But we see these as “big” sins.
Lately the question God has asked me is, “Is pride in your heart?”
And the more I read the Bible, the more I think about all the different ways pride infiltrates our lives, I know the answer is yes.
I think we push pride to the back of our minds because it’s so common.
Comparing your job to someone else’s.
Your house.
Your car.
How much praise you’re awarded because of something you did.
Feelings of success.
Feelings of your children’s success.
Negative feelings towards someone who has hurt you, with the thought that they don’t deserve forgiveness.
These things can give us hearts full of pride without us really noticing.
And feeling good about yourself for accomplishing something when compared to murder seems ridiculous.
But what does the Bible say about pride?
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18
I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Proverbs 8:13
For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Luke 14:11
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. 1 Peter 5:5
Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips. Proverbs 27:2
And I could go on and on.
God makes it clear that He hates pride.
Even knowing this, it can be hard not to have those feelings creep in.
We can’t clothe ourselves with humility on our own.
We must look to God for the strength to be humble when we are in situations where the opportunity of pride presents itself.
I’m learning a humble heart requires constant prayer.
Maybe that’s why God tells us to pray without ceasing.
Whenever we have the temptation to exalt anything other than God, we must pray.
I don’t want God opposing my life. I want His favor upon it.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
