"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
1 Peter 5:5
Pride.
It destroys and hurts and tramples and shouts. It's a soapbox perched upon wounded beneath.
I read this week that "legalism is invisible to the legalist" and how true these words prove to be.
I echo, "pride is invisible to the proud". And, it often wears a mask.
I echo, "pride is invisible to the proud". And, it often wears a mask.
Pride.
It blinds and blots and wrecks and divides. It slithers in and bites.
How the enemy loves the corrosiveness of pride.
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom."
Proverbs 11:2
Oddly enough, it seems most often the opposite of pride lurks beneath the mask. In fact, it's more likely that insecurity, self-doubt, even whimpering memoirs of years gone by swell pains and fears of future present and manifest in pride. How ironic.
The child wounded, the rejected maimed, the crushed, all rear up storehouses of yesteryear.
And generations cycle round, chasing tails of history's pride.
BUT, can it be that the triumphs of Christ's sacrifice might trump such wicked schemes? Might it be that the same deficits which produce pride could actually result in an opposing effect instead? Genesis 50:20 blares blindingly as I process:
"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good."
Genesis 50:20
I'm thinking empathy, sensitivity, genuine humility, compassion, deep longing for the Savior...
these things too might spawn from hurts and how much more productive!
It IS possible that griefs and problems and injustice past CAN in fact point to victory through the power of the Holy Spirit.
As we identify, release, and allow the Lord to restore our desolations, He is glorified and praised for His handiwork through our voids. We CAN all be FREE from the burdens, destruction, and ramifications of pride.
Lord, please reveal what lies beneath the masquerade of pride.
May cycles cease and new hope reign victorious in our lives.
And after all, we point to you with praise for what you've done.
The masks fall off, and real hearts shine through battles you have won!
May this be our heart's cry.
Amen.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 5:3
Oddly enough, it seems most often the opposite of pride lurks beneath the mask. In fact, it's more likely that insecurity, self-doubt, even whimpering memoirs of years gone by swell pains and fears of future present and manifest in pride. How ironic.
The child wounded, the rejected maimed, the crushed, all rear up storehouses of yesteryear.
And generations cycle round, chasing tails of history's pride.
BUT, can it be that the triumphs of Christ's sacrifice might trump such wicked schemes? Might it be that the same deficits which produce pride could actually result in an opposing effect instead? Genesis 50:20 blares blindingly as I process:
"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good."
Genesis 50:20
I'm thinking empathy, sensitivity, genuine humility, compassion, deep longing for the Savior...
these things too might spawn from hurts and how much more productive!
It IS possible that griefs and problems and injustice past CAN in fact point to victory through the power of the Holy Spirit.
As we identify, release, and allow the Lord to restore our desolations, He is glorified and praised for His handiwork through our voids. We CAN all be FREE from the burdens, destruction, and ramifications of pride.
Lord, please reveal what lies beneath the masquerade of pride.
May cycles cease and new hope reign victorious in our lives.
And after all, we point to you with praise for what you've done.
The masks fall off, and real hearts shine through battles you have won!
May this be our heart's cry.
Amen.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 5:3
