Pride Tears Down The Heart
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2 ESV)
The treachery of pride and the disgrace it brings to an individual is compared to a runner who cannot make it to the end of the race because he did not measure the distance. Seemingly the race was to be run and with the over zealous ego trenched in a storm of pride the runner cold only begin the quest with failure in the future. Continuing through life with an over inflated self image and goals that are not measured by the what the Lord can do but measured only from the standpoint of the strength of men will cause destruction in planning and successes hoped for. Through His goodness and mercy one can complete the race with grace and receive the reward of humility and honor. Pride is crippling to the character and will be a weight in life that will bog down even the most charismatic of people. Destroying the image of humility and distancing oneself from helpful hands and friends which could assist in the attainment of victories hoped for. So many people come close to the door of victory and allow pride to stop them from entering in through the door they so vehemently search for. When pride births in the heart is tears it down so when help does come there is not a response only an anger or a retort of lies and disgrace.
The humble are blessed with wisdom and complete the race with grace as a vehicle for success and manifested victories. Pride will always blind one from truth and obscure the value of a hope that lasts. Keeping the personality at bay, isolated from friendship and the righteous counsel of experienced spiritual fathers and coaches. Though when replaced with the humility of the Lord in the heart the personality is built back up to be encouraged and seek counsel on decisions during the race that life is constantly applying to the hearts of men. (Proverbs 22:4) The process of measuring out the race which is run through life is accomplished through prayer and listening to the Lord. One can pray and never listen which means they will never get out of the starting gate to run the race. They will become puffed up with pride and reputed with only a habitual and constant prayer life that is silent only because of prideful arrogance and dull hearing. The directions given by the Lord in life can be found in a prayer time or place but most of all in His Word. the pride that captures a personality is one that reads the Word of God and then removes the depth and counsel replacing it with willful desires and disobedience. The course of life attached to each person has a personal identity to it and counsel is needed to be able to run with success and victory rewarded through humility and obedience to God’s Word. Let the heart be built up with testimonies that give praise and honor to the Lord who has made all things possible and has filled the heart with His love and mercy. His grace will assist at every difficult point and turn if your will listen and wait He will mount you up with wings of an eagle. The individual will run and not get weary and walk and not faint….(Isaiah 40:31) Pride will always come before destruction. (Proverbs 16:18)
Dennis
Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.