Pride

I don’t think we realize how dangerous pride can be. Heck, for the most part, we admire it when someone shows pride. Such as “pride in their work” or “they should be proud of what they’ve done.” I’m definitely guilty of both expressing that sentiment to others and feeling it about my own accomplishments.

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud. Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.” - Proverbs 16:18-20 ESV

But, that is the problem: we are focusing on a person rather than God.  Pride is just another way of pointing away from God. For the life of me, I can’t figure out why my first thought after I’ve done something is to thank God for giving me the opportunity to glorify him.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” - Matthew 5:14-16

Usually, when these come together, I try to find some amusing story to weave around the thought. Today, I want to focus on God and not myself.