As you read through the Proverbs, I urge you to reflect, pray, and apply these devotional bits of encouragement and wisdom to your own life.
Pride Plunders.
I’ve read, quoted, and thought about this verse countless times. Proverbs 16:18 is a classic. Everyone knows it, but tragically far too few follow it. We are talking about sinful pride, not pride in a job well done or being proud of our kids. That’s being grateful. I’m talking about sinister, seductive, selfish pride that’s ungodly and doesn’t hold out for God’s ideal. Too much of THAT pride will either destroy you or erode you at the core. It will contaminate, corrode, corrupt, and put you in direct competition with God. Because, in the end, we all choose who God is, us or God. It’s a worship issue. In the middle of pride is I…and I am consumed with self-worship. So are you. We all are. And if we care, we need to be aware of it and root the many forms of pride out of our lives. It dilutes what good things God wants to do in you, your relationships, and all aspects of your life. We’ve all seen it in others. If we’re honest and astute, we have seen its effects over and over in our own lives. Pride is at the root of marriage and family estrangement. It’s at the root of relational conflict of all kinds. Pride ruins finances. And faith. Unforgiveness is a form of it. So is greed. Resentment. Disobedience. Ego and hubris. Hatred. Contempt. Where do you need to ask God to help you plunder pride so it doesn’t plunder you?
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.” – Proverbs 16:18-20