ESOCS Devotional 7 September 2023 – Pride
MEMORY VERSE: “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom”. Proverbs 11:2 NIV
TEXT: PROVERBS 11:1-12 (KJV)
A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.
2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
Pride can be said to be an arrogant attitude that makes people think so much highly of themselves. It is the opposite of humility and it is very destructible. Pride can make people assume they no longer need God as whatever they do or wishes to do can be done without the help and or interference of the Almighty God; this is how dangerous it is.
The Bible spoke about the Edomites who exalted themselves and began to walk in arrogance before God: “The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,” declares the Lord” (Obadiah 1:3-4).
People can miss out on great opportunities that have the capacity to shape their lives and destinies as a result of arrogance. Please, may I tell us this; nobody will ever have the will to give a helping hand to an individual who is arrogant.
People have lost juicy positions in business and work places as a result of pride. No wonder the Bible cited that pride goes before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).
Everything a man have achieved today is by the grace and mercies of God, whether it is position, connections, power, intellectual sophistication, beauty, good physique, wealth and influence, etc, you can name them.
It is important to understand that the giver of them all is God in heaven, and at such, it is an onus upon us to stay humble even as we enjoy these good tidings.
Pride has ended up the ministry of many great people, it has crippled the Life and Destiny of most men and have brought disgrace to so many persons too; be wary of it.
- Sometimes we exhibit pride even without knowing, so it is important that we search our hearts regularly to know when we are beginning to walk in self exaltation.
- Oh Lord, search my heart and eradicate every atom of pride in me and help me to continually walk in humility before you and before men.
FURTHER READING: Proverbs 29:23; Isaiah 28:3; Jeremiah 50:32; Ezekiel 31:10-12
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ESOCS Devotional 7 September 2023
