Pride Kills

Pride kills a slow spiritual death. 

At some point in our lives, we've all been prideful. We have made things about: Me. Myself. and I. As a believer, we know, better and still we behave in a prideful manner. Pride was the first sin that entered the universe and the last rooted out. It was through pride that satan became who he is today, {Isaiah 14}. Satan's enmity against God began with " I " and so it is with us. If we are preoccupied with ourselves, we too will fall into the sin of pride. 

Pride is deceptive. It’s deceptive because when we have pride, we're usually too proud to admit it. We need to take this sin seriously. Proverbs 16:5 -says, “Everyone proud and arrogant in heart is disgusting, hateful, and exceedingly offensive to the Lord….” Ouch!!! Pride is an independent, me-oriented spirit. It makes people arrogant, rude and hard to get along with. When our heart is prideful, God is not glorified. God and pride are like oil and water-- they don't mix. Pride is dogmatic in its antagonism to God and God is absolute in His opposition to pride. Humility is the foundation to which we all want to build on. Jesus demonstrated and unfathomable humbling of Himself, by dying for our sins. God takes pleasure in our efforts to humble ourselves, He loves to bless and exalt the humble. 

We need to be honest about any pride in our heart, because if we are not, we can die a slow spiritual death. Not to mention, our loved ones hurt when we behave in a prideful way. Pride divides. Why are there so many splintered relationships, broken marriages, or divided friendships? As surely as pride erects a barrier between God and us, it does the same in all of our relationships.

A humble and surrendered heart to the will of God will bring unity, love and all glory to our Jesus. 

We all know the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, in Mathew 25, Yes? Well, a couple years ago, I played the role of one of the five foolish virgins. Here's the thing though... I was initially asked to play the role of  a "wise virgin" But, as my God would have it, He wanted for me to walk in the very character I portray when I make things "All about Liz" and I turn my attention away from the things of my Jesus.

I've been a foolish, prideful, woman! But my God is good! He gets a hold of my heart and He reminds me, daily, to choose Godly humility. I'm humbled to walk in the Holy Spirit and bear good fruit, to put off my old ways, for I am a new creation in Him. The story about the twelve virgins is amazing. The Bible verse that humbled me straight to tears in this play is in Matthew 25:12. Jesus tells the foolish virgins who weren't ready this: "Assuredly I say to you, I do not know you". In my role I had to run up to the door to meet my Jesus, with my lamp at hand, but because I wasn't prepared, I wasn't allowed in and the door was shut! We knocked, banged on the door, begged to let us in, but it was too late. I wasn't ready for my Jesus. I wept, because I wasn't ready for the return of my Lord.

This was a role in a play, but the very same thing is happening  to us in a modern way today. Are we ready for the return of Jesus? Or are we too consumed with other things that eventually end up filling our hearts with pride? We cannot allow anything or anyone keep us away from remaining close to God. Tomorrow is not promised. We have a choice everyday to walk in humility and love others, or behave prideful and cause division among others. 

Perhaps, there is someone you need to forgive today? Or you feel that someone owes you an apology? We need to let it go, and allow God to heal the broken hearts. God reminds us in "Matthew 6:14- If you forgive those who have sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you." Pride is like two hands crushing your throat. Pride can make someone become very pompous. Can you imagine, if God didn't forgive us, for everything we've done? As believers we need to know that God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Pride must die or nothing of heaven can live in us. 

If there is any pride in your heart, today, the Lord wants to reveal it to you. He wants to change your heart. Jesus wants to help you heal from any and all hurts. Give Him a surrendered heart. As believers, we're to walk empowered by the Holy Spirit. We need to be ready for the return of Jesus or for when He calls us home... How sweet the sound of His voice will be to hear our Saviour say...  Well done, good and faithful servant.

Humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up-I Pet 5:6