Topic: Don’t Fall for Pride [Joyce Meyer Devotional 26 May 2020]
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Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.— Proverbs 16:18 (AMPC)
Pride is something God hates, and it’s easily one of the enemy’s greatest tools. Pride comes before destruction and prevents promotion in our lives. Pride erases our compassion for others and causes us to treat their problems and concerns like they don’t matter. Pride will always, always always bring us down.
It’s amazing how someone can have a kind heart and a right spirit while they’re in a lower position, then when they’re promoted, suddenly become a different person. He or she will begin to believe they’re better than everyone else, start mistreating others and put on airs. At that point, God has to deal with them.
The apostle Paul said in Galatians 2:20: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (NKJV). Being able to honestly say, “It is no longer I” is a sign of real maturity because pride is all about “I.” Pride says, “I’m better than you. I’m smarter than you. My opinion matters, yours doesn’t.” Did you know that “me, myself, and I” are the greatest problems most people have? We are often full of ourselves, when in reality we’re supposed to be full of God and empty of ourselves. We need to have the same attitude as Jesus and esteem others more highly than we do ourselves, caring for their needs and interests (see Philippians 2:3-5). With God’s help we can learn to keep a humble attitude, love others, and keep pride from taking root in our hearts.
Prayer Starter: Father, please help me to keep a humble attitude, and to say no when pride tries to sneak into my life. Thank You for giving me the grace I need to grow. In Jesus’ Name, amen.