…God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. –1 Peter 5:5-6 NKJV
Pride is a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements, the accomplishments of family members, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.Have you ever noticed that you may be perfectly satisfied with your house until you watch HGTV? Or, have you been fine with driving your older car until a friend gets a new one? Let’s face it—we all, at times, become envious over the accomplishments or possessions of others. Why do we get jealous? It is because our pride rises up and says, “I deserve to have that, too.”Isaiah 14:12-15 (NIV) describes the fall of Satan, where he is cast down from Heaven to Earth. In verses 13-14, he uses the word I five times. “I will ascend…, I will raise my throne above the stars of God, I will sit enthroned…, I will ascend above the…clouds, I will make myself like the Most high.” His jealousy for God’s position caused him to be doomed for all of eternity. The good news is that we don’t have to follow his path.Let our boasting be only in the Lord, not ourselves. The Lord gives grace to the humble. We need to resist pride.
Father, help me to resist pride in all of its disguises.
Lord, help me to use the talents and possessions that You have blessed me with to minister to others.