Pride. I can sometimes have a problem with pride. My pride can get in the way in many/all areas of my life. For example, my kids are not doing what I exactly want them to do and how I want to do it. Another one could be a conversation with my beautiful bride doesn’t go how I imagined it and according to all my standards. At work, when something doesn’t go the way I had planned it. Or a response by a group of people that wasn’t the same kind of response I wouldn’t have had can leave me close-minded. All these situations can make my blood rises, my temper gets shorter, and words or actions come after faster than I wish.
My pride can get in the way, and this predominant force can lead to sin.
Anger, rudeness, shortness, yelling sarcasm can all fall into this category. Do you have any pride issues? In today’s reading of Luke 17, three verses focus on humility. Jesus is talking to the Pharisees and His disciples. Pride can impact us all!
“Jesus said to his disciples, “Things that make people fall into sin are bound to happen, but how terrible for the one who makes them happen!”
- Refrain from offending others. Verse 1
“So watch what you do! “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.”
2. Be ready to forgive.
“The apostles said to the Lord, “Make our faith greater.”
3. Recognize your weaknesses.
Jesus calls for total humiliation. Here are a couple of additional verses that can increase our faith. Help me with complete surrender—humble my prideful self.
“Happy are those who are humble; they will receive what God has promised!” Matthew 5:5
“He has no use for conceited people but shows favor to those who are humble.”Proverbs 3:34
“In the same way, you younger people must submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you must put on the apron of humility, to serve one another; for the scripture says, “God resists the proud, but shows favor to the humble.”1 Peter 5:5
“But the grace that God gives is even stronger. As the scripture says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6
“No, the Lord has told us what is good. What he requires of us is this: to do what is just, to show constant love, and to live in humble fellowship with our God.” Micah 6:8
Proverbs 6 is very clear.
“There are six or seven kinds of people the Lord doesn’t like: Those who are too proud or tell lies or murder,” Proverbs 6:16-17
Father, thank you for Your truth. I have a problem, and my only answer is total surrender to you. Search my heart and help me to humble myself to my selfish desires. Amen