Too Proud

I’m thankful for my family. I’m proud of my family. I do want to clarify that by the grace of God, my family makes me proud. I can’t possibly take the credit for what a great family I have. I can’t really take credit for any accomplishments that I have been successful in. It is the Lord working in me and through me. I have to keep my pride in check, or it will swell up and cloud my judgement for sure.

Uzziah was a young man when he was given the responsibility of being King of Judah.  He started out strong, but pride got in the way. Check this out….

³ Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother was Jecoliah from Jerusalem. ⁴ He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, just as his father, Amaziah, had done. 

⁵ Uzziah sought God during the days of Zechariah, who taught him to fear God. And as long as the king sought guidance from the Lord, God gave him success.  His fame spread far and wide, for the Lord gave him marvelous help, and he became very powerful.¹⁶ But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall. He sinned against the Lord his God by entering the sanctuary of the Lord’s Temple and personally burning incense on the incense altar. (2 Chronicles 26:3-5, 15b-16 NLT)

With success comes responsibility. I think people who are successful should look around to see all the shoulders of the people that they are standing on to be where they are. There are tons of people who’ve invested in me over the years. Many of them still are speaking into my life and helping mold me and shape me even today. I’m humbled and grateful for them. If I’m not careful, pride will creep in and I will think that I’m smarter than I really am. Pride will also make me think more of myself in a bunch of other ways. Pride can make me think I can do no wrong. Pride can make me look down on others. Pride can make me impossible to work with. Pride can make me look stupid when I think I’m so smart.

The opposite of pride is humility. The Lord loves humility. The person who is humble is teachable and shapeable. Check this out….

Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2 NLT)

Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18 NLT)

Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. (Proverbs 29:23 NLT)

I want to check my pride at the door of my heart. I don’t want it to creep in and wreak havoc on my life.  I want the Lord to continue to expand my influence, wisdom and ability. I want the Lord to be seen through I that I am and all that I am able to accomplish. I live for His Glory and His Honor. I needed to be reminded of this again.

Pressing On!

Dwayne