“BY PRIDE COMES NOTHING but strife. When pride comes, then comes shame”, says wisdom. Proverbs has multiple verses concerning pride. Why so much on one certain thing? Because pride is sneaky. It often comes in unaware and it’s not so easy to detect by the naked eye.
The prideful heart is stubborn and rebellious. It holds back love and forgiveness because pride leads the person to believe that they have been so wronged. Pride believes they are right and you are wrong and cannot see their own faults. Pride says, “you owe me!” But humility says, “I owe you and will spend my life repaying you.” Pride asks the question in an arrogant manner, “What have I done??” Instead of falling down on the face and beating the chest proclaiming in mercy, “What have I done! I beg for your forgiveness”.
Pride tells your wicked heart that you deserve to be treated with respect, as you take the chief seat. Yet humility says, “I deserve nothing” as you stand back and wait to be invited. One of my favorite quotes is from Charles Spurgeon in which he said, “Brother, if any man thinks ill of you, do not be angry with him; for you are worse than he thinks you to be. If he charges you falsely on some point, yet be satisfied, for if he knew you better he might change the accusation, and you would be no gainer by the correction.
If you have your moral portrait painted, and it is ugly, be satisfied; for it only needs a few blacker touches, and it would be still nearer the truth.” Be sure, we must look at ourselves through the lens of Scripture as a born-again, new creation, Holy Ghost filled, Saint of the living God who has been washed clean and made new. Yet, this is not of your own doing. Your own righteousness is filthy menstrual rags. Look at yourself soberly.
Who are you to condemn another for a wrong doing against you since you yourself has done the same, and even more so have done the same against the Almighty? This is pride and with pride always comes shame. Let yourself be wronged and take a smack on the cheek. Let others falsely accuse you and slander you. Will God not take care of His own? “Vengeance is mine”, says the Lord. “Everyone proud and arrogant in heart is disgusting, hateful, and exceedingly offensive to the Lord; be assured [I pledge it] they will not go unpunished.” Proverbs 16:5 AMPC#runyourrace
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