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Day 38 Proverbs 11:2 Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. 3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. Most people don’t associate pride with something bad. Yet how often do you see people who are so conceited you don’t want to be around them. You even cross the street so you won’t brush shoulders with them because you don’t want to hear another tale of how wonderful something is in their lives. They have perfect children, the newest car, a nice house in an elite neighborhood, and have all the toys a person could possibly have for every season of the year. You wish just once they wouldn’t always talk about themselves. You also secretly envy everything they have, wishing you had at least a tenth of what they have. But is it worth it? Solomon had a lot to say about pride. Best known is his statement that pride goes before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Solomon observed people in his role as king of Israel. He saw how they interacted with one another and saw that when a person lifted himself up, he was bound for some very troubled times. Pride doesn’t need to be a bad thing in our lives. It is good to be proud of your children and the achievements you’ve made in your lives. Pride becomes bad when your whole focus is on those achievements to the exclusion of everything else. You’ve all been around new parents, they have pictures to show. They are proud of their new role, and they should be. You’ve also seen newly engaged couples. It’s a proud moment, as is the day they get married. However, it’s taking all those proud moments and coloring your whole world around them. So what are you to do? Not share anything about the best moments in your life? No, not at all. Solomon said integrity would be your guide. Integrity points to God as the provider of all those proud moments in your life. When you give God the glory for all you’ve done, God will lift you up. Your pride will not be misplaced or bring you shame, because you recognize that you have nothing without God giving it to you. God promised to bless our lives. He promised an overflowing life. However, none of that will happen unless we put God first in our lives. Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (KJV) Jesus also showed how Satan seeks to destroy you. When you display uncommon pride, along with all the other traits of envy and scorn for your fellowman because you have more than they do, God will bring about your downfall, but when we put our faith and trust in Jesus, God’s Son, we will live an abundant life. John 10:10 The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Don’t allow Satan to fill you with so much pride people will avoid you and God will take your blessing from you. Instead, give all the credit to God and you will live an abundant life, full of the joy only God can give. Let’s pray: Father, keep pride far from me, and give me a grateful spirit for all you have given me. Help me seek you and give you credit for everything in my life so I can bless others because you blessed me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 14 October 2016 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay