HUMILITY AND GREATNESS VS PRIDE AND DESTRUCTION (Part II)



Galatians 6:3, "For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself."

 Jesus Christ is the author and father of humility (Philippians 2: 5- 8) "let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus Who, being in the form of  God, ,,,,,made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, ,,,,he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.'' ,,,,,,,,,. On the other hand devil is author and father of Pride (Isa. 14:12-14). “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!..… For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God, I will sit also upon the mount … I will ascend above the heights…I will be like the most High”. 


Jesus Christ was so exalted because of His humility (Philippians 2: 9-11)" wherefore God hath so exalted Him and Given Him a name that is above every name,,,,,,". On The other hand because of devil arrogance and pride God hath brought him down to the dust (Daniel 5:20) "But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him.".  Pride goes before destruction,,,,, (Proverb 16:18). The surest way to eternal condemnation is pride, for all sin came into existence through pride. Pride will not allow you to repent of your sin because you think is normal to sin. You only gain dominion over what you detest. 

We live in a societies that we are thought that man naturally is a selfish animal and nothing is wrong with. This day every action a man takes is directed towards making himself better than others. This is even extended to our service towards God, many of us serving God sees it as a means of getting answer to our prayer or as a mean to obtaining favor from God, that is why we get offended when things didn't work in our own way. Can't you serve God because of your love for him? Can't you grow to the level where you can say, whether He bless me or not am serving Him because He laid down His life for me first. 

What is pride in essence? Pride is when you see yourself as something, and better than others. When you think your approach is the best, when you feel self-important, when you see yourself too big to do certain things, when you look down on others, when you feel you have arrived in life. The question is what makes you think that you are better than others? whatever you have achieved or the position you are is a privilege. Don't you know someone else has gotten the level you are before, that is why you think that without you nothing is going to move on, you feel indispensable. You feel everyone likes it your own way, my dear stop puffing up your ego, you advocating devil by that action. 

Pride being the mother of all sin has its own earthly and eternal consequences
Pride leads to destruction and Fall: Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverb 16:18). The bible clearly states this, when a man think himself to be something, he will be brought to nothing, but when he see less of himself he then become something. “The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted” (Isa. 2:11). A writer said that the fastest way to bring a man of God (everyone) down is to sing praise of him. When people praise you because of your magnificent performance, kindness, intelligence, achievement be quick to return the praise and glory back to God not just in your lip but from your heart. Mind you, God will not share his glory with any man.

Pride breed crisis/conflict: The cause of many broken home, relationship today is pride, pride has made so many to see no wrong in their own action. “Only by pride cometh contention” (Prov. 13:10). Pride has shattered so many relationships, so many broken marriages, and church splits? This same pride has build a wall between us and God. Many Christian can't even humble themselves before God, some don't even see the essence of praying. It takes a humble heart to pray and acknowledge God as the doer of everything. 

Where there is pride people finds it difficult to admit wrong and apologize, rather they defend all their actions. Pride can cause you to look down on others. If you allow it, pride can rob you of the most treasured relationships in life. “He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife” (Prov. 28:25).  People finds it difficult to say am sorry. Will you forgive me?” are healing words that only a humble soul would use. Whenever you find a man willing to humble himself before God and man, you have found a man who will be exalted, because “humility comes before honor.”

Pride Spawns Prayerlessness: Pride does not see the need for prayer and repentance, because a proud individuals finds it difficult to humble before God in prayer. (2 Chron. 7:14) God required the people who were called by His name to humble themselves before they prayed or repented. A proud individuals will be quick to point out his righteousness before others and God, he sees others as inferior to him because he thinks he is doing the right thing. God you see, am just committing only one sin but the other guy is committing atrocities, who ask you? Stop comparing yourself with others.

Proverbs speaks of the man who brazenly turns his ear from the law, “Even his prayer shall be abomination” (28:9). Prayerlessness is the very first sign of pride. It has been said, “God’s power will never fall until we pray.” Proud people don’t pray. In fact, the only people who pray are those who need God, know they need God, and can’t go on without God. Pride breed selfishness, while selfishness hinders prayer of intercessory and you are concerned is yourself. Don't be deceived when you pray for others you are automatically praying for yourself. Whatever you ask God to do to others comes to you four times. 

My dear, humble yourself and God will exalt you. Start from the ground, don't be too eager to lead, to be at the front line, learn to follow, the best way to learn is by following others. keep practicing in the secret when you will be given opportunity to function in the public, you will be distinguished. Mean while pride does not mean seeing yourself as unique and wonderfully created for God's purpose. You have a place in God's agenda and that can be realized in humility.

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