Caution: Pride is Present

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall

Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)

Recently an unemployed friend of mine declined a job offer.  You might think, as some did, he must have received a revelation from God – revealing that the offer was something other than a blessing.  That wasn’t the case.  He actually declined the offer because he knew the manager and couldn’t bring himself to work for him.  He couldn’t see himself working for someone he regarded as less knowledgeable, less reliable, and pretty much less a lot of other things.  He was simply too proud to humble himself.

When pride is present, Proverbs 16:18 becomes a reality in our lives.  When we allow pride and arrogance to dictate our decisions, it brings us tumbling down to the ground - flat on our face.  In the case of my friend, no matter how hard he tried, he was unable to find a job.  Doors were shut.  Windows were locked.  Opportunities that once were no longer existed.  He was unable to get up off the ground and move forward – until he realized pride was present and that he needed to humble himself.

Today let us heed the cautionary sign of Proverbs 16:18.  Let us make sure pride isn't dictating our decisions, but we are allowing humility to guide our hearts.