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Proverbs 11:2 – Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (NLT)
Jansen was the head of a medium-sized organization. He and I were acquaintances, but little more. He needed someone to fill a certain position in which I was skilled, and he invited me to join. From the beginning, I felt that I had made a mistake. Jansen paraded around like the sole cock in the chicken yard. He made the rules and asked no one else's opinion. Anyone who dared to buck his system was scathingly rebuked. Rarely did he speak to anyone unless he was spoken to first.
Something about Jansen just didn't seem right to me, but I simply assumed that my first-time impression was wrong. Despite his mannerisms and prideful personality, people were drawn to his charismatic temperament.
Jansen's pride, however, came home to roost. Thirteen years after coming to the organization, he was caught carrying on affairs with numerous women in and outside of the organization. He was soundly rebuked by the ruling board, who requested his resignation. Pride sliced him deeply and brought him down.
Pride will do for anyone what it did for Jansen. When we're proud, we're thinking more of ourselves than we should. While we shouldn't think less of ourselves than is healthy, we must remember that we are who we are solely because of what Jesus Christ has done. As a Christ-follower, we've been given His righteousness, but we had nothing to do with being worthy of it.
Pride repels others. Jansen may have had a winning personality, but there were just as many who avoided his organization because of his arrogance. No one enjoys hanging around with someone who thinks that they are better than others.
Pride also interferes with our dependence on God. When pride controls us, we'll think that we can handle life ourselves, forgetting that we can do all things only through Christ — not through ourselves.
Pride will eventually lead to a downfall, as it did with Jansen. What the downfall might be or how severe the consequences might be may vary, but the bringing down by God will happen.
We must not let pride slice us. We must stay humble and remember that we are who we are solely because of the grace and mercy of God.
Prayer: Father, remove pride from our lives so that we can serve You with humility — as You have served us. Amen.
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Amen Martin.
Blessings.
Thank you, Martin, for this lesson on the evils of pride.
Thank you for sharing this instructive devotional with us. Blessings.
Thank you, Martin. Your examples from your life are full of good lessons.
Timely piece. I also enjoyed your writing in “These Days.” Good way to start my cool Manitoba mornings. Thank you.
Good morning, Martin
Pride can lead to disgrace indeed.
Thank you for your good words.
Dear Martin,
Thanks for sharing this message about pride. I always need reminders of where I might be going along the wrong path. Blessings.
So very true Martin.
A great reminder of God’s plan for our lives, not our plans for our lives.
Blessings,
(QC, CANADA)
Good morning, Martin, and many thanks for another of your very meaningful devotionals. It is so important that we put Christ front and centre in our lives and honour Him for the care He gives us daily. Blessings for these special writings you do.
Human defects ring the true condition of the willful heart, mind, and soul, Martin! So many motivations to provide the providential truth of God’s sovereignty to get it right in God’s design and purpose, which is only available through the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. The Almighty desires community with His Creations! And yet ignored?
Blessings.