Word for the Day October 22 By: Evang. Cascille Hammack
"The proud and arrogant man- "Mocker"
is his name; he behaves with overweening pride." Proverbs 21:24
The Lord
has much to say about pride in his Word. It has no place in the heart of a believer. If someone professes to be
a follower of Christ and has pride, it will show like a bright red light. It stands out announcing itself in shame for
everyone to see because it is not supposed to be there. Proverbs 11:2 says, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom." God's children must be clothed in humility. James 4:10 says, "Humble
yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up." Pride puts the focus on self and takes the focus away from God.
Paul understood this and instructs, "If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my
weakness." 2 Cor. 11:30 God hates pride. Exalting oneself in ones own mind or seeking the honor
and esteem of others deeply grieves the Holy Spirit. Like all sin, it is deceptive and many are blinded by its deceitfulness.
It is obvious to others when someone is operating in pride, but not always to the one who is overcome by it. It is dangerous
and it is the root of much sin and rebellion against God.
The Lord said of Sodom in Ezekiel
16:49,50, "Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned;
they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before Me. Therefore I did away
with them as you have seen." The Lord does not list the individual acts of detestable iniquity, but the
root of what caused such rebellion which was their arrogance and haughtiness and prideful spirit. Isaiah 25:11
says, "God will bring down their pride despite the cleverness of their hands." King Nebuchanezzar
was humbled by the Lord from his pride and declared afterward in Daniel 4:37, "I...praise and exalt and glorify the King
of heaven, because everything He does is right and just. And those who walk in pride He able to humble."
Examine yourself that you may remain humble before the Lord. Proverbs 29:23 explains, "A man's pride brings him
low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor." And the Lord warns in Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall."
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