Pride Humbled

12-27-2010

Pride Humbled by Boyd Bailey


“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” Daniel 4:37

Pride will eventually give way to humility. It may not happen overnight. And it may have to follow a painful process, because pride can be very, very stubborn. Like an embedded splinter deep in the flesh of your foot, pride is hard to remove. You cannot remove it alone, so there may be constant throbbing and pain until pride is extracted.

This is the plight of pride. Pain and suffering are its cohorts. Pride provides one a false sense of security, though spiritually-minded people know it is only a matter of time before the fall will catch up with you. Humility may have once been a staple in your spiritual diet, but success has squelched your humility and subtly replaced it with pride. Authority without accountability generates pride.

The more authority you posses the more you are required to submit to accountability. Otherwise, you cannot handle this free wheeling power. Your behavior defaults to pride without the checkmate of humility. This is true in relationships, businesses, ministries and churches. Beware of obsessing over control.

Paranoia is an application of pride. You are fearful of losing control. But, it is better to hand over control than to lose control. Humility gives up control while pride grasps for it, so be open and humble about your insecurities. We are all insecure to some degree. Humility builds security and pride tears it down. The humble have nothing to hide, so root out pride and replace it with humility.

The process of pride’s removal begins with submission to Christ. It is acknowledging his Lordship and ownership over your life. He is in control. He is large and in charge. Nothing in your life has snuck up on God. He can be trusted. He holds your life, your family, your health and your career in his hand. You start by humbly bowing to God with your head and your heart. He is to be feared and loved.

You have the awesome opportunity to worship and adore Him. When you walk with God you will walk in humility. Pride cannot co-exist in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Pride is extinguished in the presence of Jesus. Pride is like a roach lurking in the dark recesses of your heart. The Holy Spirit’s light reveals pride and convicts you during times of prayer and Scripture meditation.

An offense to pride is praying people. Ask people to pray for humility to infiltrate and occupy your life. You want the occupation of humility on the soul of your heart and mind. Be transparent with others about your sins and shortcomings. Talk to them about your motive for change.

Humble yourself to others yet trust God to humble others. It is easy to recognize pride in others while it is still looming in your spirit. Run from spiritual pride. It is the worst kind. It is insidious. It is pharisaical in nature and it chokes off the Holy Spirit. Humility grows in an environment of honesty, openness, prayer and change. Be a change agent on behalf of the humble. Humble pride!

“All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:5b-6).

Related Readings: Exodus 10:3; 2 Kings 22:19; Romans 12:3; Philippians 2:1-11