From Pastor’s Vacation Desk — August 23, 2024

Heed God’s Warning
About Pride

Recently I wanted to make some changes to the way the Pastor’s Blog page looked and functioned.  I thought I could make the necessary changes on my own.  Well, it did not go as planned. I messed things up and couldn’t figure out how to get the blog like I envisioned. I had to ask for help from the page developer to put things back in order.

Last week I tried again to change my blogging, but it still did not look right.  I called a friend; I was sure between the two of us we could figure it out.  I was too proud to have to get the page developer involved for a second time. That was a mistake.  After spending one and a half hours on the phone with my friend, it looked worse.

We got the page developer involved. Within five minutes, he had fixed the blog. And we spent one and a half hours on the blog! I thought I could do something on my own that I did not have the skill to do.  Not only did I “waste” valuable time, but it made me quite frustrated when I could not do it “on my own.” 

How often I let my pride get in the way of making wise decisions! Refusing to ask for help, when deep down you know you need it, never ends well.

I was reminded of Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” 

What is the result of pride, according to the Bible? Jesus says that “pride” is one of the many “evil things that come from within and defile a man” (Mark 7:21-23), “By pride comes nothing but strike”. (Prov. 13:10), “When pride comes, then comes shame”.(Prov. 11:2),  “A man’s pride will bring him low” (Prov. 29:23),  “Being puffed up with pride” will cause one to “fall into the same condemnation as the devil” (1 Tim. 3:6), for “the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world” (1 John 2:16) .

What is God’s view and reaction toward pride? “God resists the proud” (Jas. 4:6, 1 Pet. 5:5), “Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord…none will go unpunished” (Prov. 16:5).

The Bible has nothing good to say about “Pride”- there is not a single saving quality to be found in it. Let us obey God’s warning and humble ourselves before Him! 

Sandy Frisque (Editor)