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March 16, 2023

PRIDE IS NOT OF GOD

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

You rescue the humble, but you humiliate the proud.

Psalms 18:27 NLT

 

TODAY’S THOUGHT

One constant theme of scripture is that God hates pride and exalts those who are humble (check out Psalm 138:6: Isaiah 2:12; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). I have always struggled with those who call themselves followers of Jesus and yet display an attitude that they are really somebody great. In my late teens and early twenties, I had a pride issue. I really thought I had all the answers for humanity. I have had to apologize for my cocky attitude from those days. The truth was my outward attitude of cockiness was a cover-up for my own insecurities. I gave off an air of cockiness because I was very insecure. Two things really helped me turn the corner in fighting the battle of pride.

First, I began to develop a greater understanding of the grace of God. This was big for me because I was raised with a lot of emphasis on God’s holiness and justice and not much was said about God’s grace. This mindset forced me to keep up certain appearances to prove I was a good person. People who give off an air of pride do not understand grace. When we realize we are part of God’s family totally by God’s grace and not by anything we have done or deserve, we are humbled. I try to remind myself daily to thank God for His grace. I confess that I am saved by grace and not by works, it is all the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). The second thing that really attacked the pride in my life—and still does today—was spending time in prayer. I have discovered the more time I spend in the presence of God in prayer and worship my pride shrinks. In the Bible when anyone encountered the presence of God, they suddenly became aware of their personal sinfulness. Being in God’s presence immediately transforms my pride into humility. Anytime I see a person with pride I immediately know they don’t have much of a prayer life. It is interesting how some people claim to be Bible teachers or even spiritually gifted people but demonstrate so much pride. Pride is the first sign that you haven’t been in God’s presence. Let me repeat that last line—pride is the first sign that you have not been in God’s presence. Human pride dies in the presence of God. Getting rid of pride doesn’t mean we get rid of confidence. Much the opposite. The more we allow the Holy Spirit to remove our pride the more we can become confident in God’s work in and through us. We can have confidence without being cocky. True confidence is demonstrated in humility.

 

TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit help me this day to allow You to deal with any pride in my life. Help me to have Your grace and peace. Help me to live with humble confidence.

“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”

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2 comentários


chermyworld
chermyworld
16 de mar. de 2023

Lord it’s only because of your grace . Nothing is complete without your grace . Forever grateful for your grace ❤️

Curtir

djohnston
16 de mar. de 2023

God’s presence always kills human pride. I want to be sure I’m spending quality time in His presence.

Curtir
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