I trust you are doing well. Welcome back to Narrow and Beautiful, it's always good to have you here. By God's grace, this new week will be filled with testimonies!
Today we are looking at an interesting message about pride. Has anyone ever told you that you are proud or have you ever felt someone close to you became proud all of a sudden?
Dorcas had a life-changing moment when she secured a multi-million contract. Her financial status transformed, and with it, so did her attitude. She became more conscious of her wealth and status, often looking down on those she once called friends. Over time, she noticed that many of her old friends distanced themselves from her. Rather than reflect on the situation, she assumed they were jealous of her success.
“Maybe I need new friends,” she thought. “Perhaps I no longer belong to their league.”
When her 30th birthday arrived, she decided to host a grand celebration in her newly purchased home. She invited both old and new friends, but to her surprise, none of her old friends showed up—except for her former choir mistress.
As she ranted about her friends being envious and ungrateful, her choir mistress gently asked, “Have you ever considered that maybe you changed? Did you notice how your words and actions made others feel? Did you ever ask why they pulled away, or did you assume they were beneath you?”
Dorcas was silent. She hadn’t thought about it that way.
Pride often creeps in unnoticed. It blinds us to our own faults while making us critical of others. Many times, we don’t even realize we have become proud until we are confronted with the consequences. Proverbs 16:18 warns, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Pride isn’t just about wealth—it can stem from many things, including:
- Achievements – Thinking we are better because of our career success or education.
- Spirituality – Feeling superior because of our knowledge of Scripture or spiritual gifts.
- Beauty and Appearance – Looking down on others based on physical appearance.
- Social Status – Treating people differently based on their background or influence.
King Nebuchadnezzar was a powerful ruler, yet he allowed pride to consume him. In Daniel 4, he took credit for his kingdom’s greatness, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power?” (Daniel 4:30).
Because of his arrogance, God humbled him—he lost his sanity and lived like an animal for seven years until he acknowledged God’s sovereignty. His story is a warning that pride can lead to downfall, shame, and even separation from God.
Unchecked pride can lead to:
- Broken Relationships – It pushes people away and breeds resentment.
- Spiritual Stagnation – It hardens our hearts against God’s correction.
- Destruction – Proverbs 29:23 says, “A man’s pride shall bring him low.”
- Loss of Favor – James 4:6 reminds us, “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
As believers, we must remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s conviction. True Christianity is built on love, humility, and service. Philippians 2:3 instructs us, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
No matter how high we rise in life, let’s remember that God is the giver of all things (1 Corinthians 4:7). If He, in His holiness, still draws us close despite our flaws, how much more should we treat others with kindness and respect?
Let’s be intentional with our words, humble in our actions, and always attentive to that still small voice calling us to order.
Prayer
Dear God, please forgive me if I’ve been guilty of pride, and give me the grace to resist the spirit of pride.
May God deliver us from Pride. AMEN
ReplyDeleteAmen 🙏
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