AP

Day 41: Pride and humility

David sang of God: “He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way (2 Sam. 22:28).” Peter commands Christians: “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind (1 Pet. 3:8).” Repentance, or turning to God from our sinfulness, requires humility before God and others. It was only the humbled tax collector, who prayed: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”He was heard by God and justified. True prayer is always an act of faith by those who are humbled.

In these proverbs we learn that pride, arrogance and egoism will lead to our downfall (Prov. 16:18). Pride makes us feel good in a shallow way, but it is a deception. A haughty person is someone who is lifted up in his own eyes.

In contrast, humility is honourable (Prov. 16:19). Christians are commanded, as God’s chosen people, holy and loved, to put on humility (Col. 3:5). Just as you put on your clothes each day, so put on humility.

Our attitude is to be same as our Christ Jesus’, who “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (Col. 2:6-7).” May God so work in us that we empty ourselves as He did in order to serve others.

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.

– Prov. 11:2

Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

– Prov. 16:5

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

– Prov. 16:18

It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.

– Prov. 16:19

Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honour.

– Prov. 18:12

Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.

– Prov. 21:4

Lord God, thank You that You are the God of the humble. It is not the strong in society who know You, but those who are lowly. You sent Your Son and He humbled Himself by becoming like us – God becoming man. Forgive us our pride, and in looking to Him, help us to put on humility that covers the whole of who we are.

Pride is a creeping sin within us. It captures us before we are awake to it. Please forgive us this folly. If ever we think we deserve more, then may we look at Jesus, God the Son, washing the feet of His disciples and may that question never trouble us again.

We pray in our humble Saviour’s Name,

Amen.

– Graham Barnes