1Peter 5:5
Amplified Bible (AMP)
5Likewise, you who are younger and of lesser rank, be subject to the elders (the ministers and spiritual guides of the church)—[giving them due respect and yielding to their counsel]. Clothe (apron) yourselves, all of you, with humility [as the garb of a servant, [a]so that its covering cannot possibly be stripped from you, with freedom from pride and arrogance] toward one another. For God sets Himself against the proud (the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful)—[and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them], but gives grace (favor, blessing) to the humble.
Who then is a proud person? Throughout the bible the Lord has showed His repugnance towards pride. We often associate pride to an act of arrogance on one's part. Pride goes beyond actions. The little whisperings, the secret intentions in our hearts can also be pride. Thinking that you can do something by your own strength is pride. Not being thankful to God is also pride. Taking decisions without consulting God is also pride. High mindedness can't be left out.
Pride is not only about how snubbish or self sufficient one may be. False humility can also be pride. What do I mean by false humility? Moses' action upon seeing the burning bush was an act of false humility. Moses was looking at his frailties rather than believing God to use him.
1Chronicles 21:1-8,
Satan [an adversary] stood up against Israel and stirred up David to number Israel.
2 David said to Joab and the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me the total, that I may know it.
3 And Joab answered, May the Lord multiply His people a hundred times! But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? Why then does my lord require this? Why will he bring guilt upon Israel?
4 But the king’s word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came to Jerusalem.
5 Joab gave the total number of the people to David. And all of Israel were 1,100,000 who drew the sword, and of Judah 470,000 who drew the sword.
6 But Levi and Benjamin he did not include among them, for the king’s order was detestable to Joab.
7 And God was displeased with this [reliance on human resources], and He smote Israel.
8 And David said to God, I have sinned greatly because I have done this thing. But now, I beseech You, take away the hateful wickedness of Your servant; for I have done very foolishly.
Satan stirred up pride in King David to conduct a census which The Lord never instructed.The devil tempted David, in setting before his eyes his excellency and glory, his power and victories. The act in itself was not wrong but David was moved by pride instead of consulting God. The Lord had allowed Moses to conduct a census so there was a possibility that censuses were taken from time to time. When David took it upon himself he acted out of pride .
Exodus 30:12
12 When you take the census of the Israelites, every man shall give a ransom for himself to the Lord when you number them that no plague may fall upon them when you number them.
None of us is too skilled not to fall into pride proud. Pride is going against divine instructions, resisting divine help and taking up divine authority that has not been bestowed upon us. Many of us think our neighbor is the proud one because he speaks arrogantly, shows off but we forget that one way or the other we are also walking in pride. It may not be evident like Herod who received praise from the people but it still makes us transgressors. Many want to always get the better of others. For some when they are offended they think the other party has to come and apologise before they make room for forgiveness. Pride can only leave our hearts completely through total surrender to The Lord. There must be a willingness and an act of obedience to counter pride. If we are willing to submit to God's word in total obedience, we can overcome pride. May The Lord show us areas of our lives where we are still prideful. It is dangerous to assume that you are living in humility whereas you are proud. Don't be caught naked like the church in Laodicea. May The Lord search our hearts thoroughly. May He help us to walk in total submission to His will. We should guard against pride daily lest our hearts harden.
Glory To Jesus
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