2020 Daily Devotion - Day 171

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From a sermon a few years ago, I said this about pride:

What is pride?

“Pride is an attitude of independence from God. Do you know why people don’t pray? Prayerlessness is not the great problem. The great problem is they don’t feel a need to. Prayerlessness is really a spirit of independence from God. If you’re wrestling with prayerlessness, what you’re really wrestling with is pride.”

Pride is also esteeming one’s self above other people. Do you think because you have achieved certain things or have acquired certain things, you’re better than somebody else?
One expert explains what pride can look like. Below are some of the indicators of a proud person:
  • A proud person becomes irritated when corrected for mistakes.
  • A proud person accepts praise for things over which he or she has no control.
  • Pride will not admit mistakes.
  • Pride refuses to take counsel and to learn from other people.
  • Pride often shows itself in competition with other people. Pride does not want more; pride wants more than somebody else.

Pride has a way of dividing society. Pride is at the root of war, argument and divorce. The proud person hungers for praise and honor, and because of pride, often only achieves dishonor. Pride has the power to destroy the soul and leads us to the road to ruin. This is why the Bible always councils against pride in favor of humility.

Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but wisdom is with the humble.

Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, because of our broken condition, we are often filled with pride. It damages so many things in our lives. Help us to remove the pride and arrogance which harm so many aspects of our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church
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