
TODAY'S DEVOTION: DECEMber 20, 2019







The Expression
Of Pride

PRIDE
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
​
Proverbs 16:18 (KJV)
​Reflection:
Pride is a killer.
Pride says,
"I can do it alone.
I can get myself out of this mess without God's help.
"Oh, no you can't!"
We absolutely need God, and we desperately need each other.
Paul wrote in Philippians 3:3 (KJV)
“For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”
​
Humility is confidence properly placed.
Examine the instructions on pride and humility in
James 4:6-10 and 1 Peter 5:1-10.
The context reveals that spiritual conflict follows the expression of pride. Pride is what caused Lucifer to be thrown out of heaven.
Jesus said in Luke 22:31 (KJV)
“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon (Peter), behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:”
​
On what basis could Satan make that demand?
The context reveals the answer:
“And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.”
(Luke 22:24 / KJV).
Pride was Peter's downfall, and it opened the door to the devil's opposition.
​
The Lord says:
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
(Proverbs 16:18 / KJV).
We must confess areas where we have not denied ourselves, picked up our cross daily, and followed Him (Matthew 16:24).
In so doing we have given ground to the enemy in our lives.
​
Have we believed that we could be successful and live victoriously by our own strength and resources?
We must confess that we have sinned against God by placing our will before His and by centering our lives around self instead of Him. We must renounce the self life and by so doing cancel all the ground that has been gained in our members by the enemies of the Lord Jesus Christ.
​
We must pray that God will guide us so that we will do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but that with humility of mind we will regard others as more important than ourselves
(Philippians 2:3).
We must ask God to enable us through love to serve others and in honor prefer others
(Romans 12:10).
​
Prayer:
Loving Lord, I want my life to be marked by a humble spirit today. Forgive me for my proud, self-centered ways and independent spirit. Help me to be sober minded and humble in times of conflict and reflect the image of Jesus in my life. I pray to You, in Jesus Name, Amen.
