Devotional Thoughts | Adversity Part 5 - Adversity is God’s Way of Conquering Our Pride

Adversity is God’s Way of Conquering Our Pride:


  1. I once heard a speaker say, “God’s grace is free. But there is one essential requirement to receive it: “Humility.”

Humility – 1. The quality or condition of being humble; lack of pride; modesty.

Humble – 1. Having or showing the feeling of humility rather than of pride; aware of one’s shortcomings; modest; meek.  2. Showing deferential respect.

  1. Scriptures:
    a. 1 Corinthians 11:28 – 30 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.  

b. Ephesians 4:2-3 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.                           

c. Proverbs 13:10 Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.                   

d. Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. 

e. Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

f. Proverbs 29.23 Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.

g. Luke 14:11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

h.  James 4:6-7 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

i. Philippians 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

 

3.   Biblical Examples of Pride

   a. Pharaoh – Exodus 5:2 Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD and I will not let Israel go.”  

   b. Naaman – 2 Kings 5:11 But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.

         c. Uzziah – 2 Chronicles 26:16 But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride
led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.    

         d. Hezekiah – 2 Chronicles 32:25 But Hezekiah’s heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the LORD’s wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem.

         e. Haman – Esther 3:5 When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged.

         f. Nebuchadnezzar – Daniel 4:30 he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my
majesty?”

         g. Belshazzar – Daniel 5:23 Instead, you have set yourself up against the
Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives, and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised
the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand
your life and all your ways.

 

    4.  Examples of Spiritual Pride:

         a. Job 33:9 ‘I am pure, I have done no wrong; I am clean and free from sin.

         b. Luke 18:11The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.

         c. John 9:41 Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.

         d. 1 Corinthians 4:18 Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not
coming to you.

         e. Revelation 3:17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and
naked.

 

  1. Effects of Pride:

a.   It prevents reconciliation in relationships – Be the first one to say, “I’m sorry. ” Pride often says, “It’s their turn to say I’m sorry and apologize. Not me! Not this time!

b.  It promotes impatience – Impatience is really saying, “I can do it better and faster.” Impatience is pride. Superficial love that is proud. 1 Corinthian 13:4

c.   It promotes self-centeredness – Self –centeredness breeds a lack of concern, compassion, empathy and always a lack of service to the Lord, accompanied by a myriad of “excuses.”

d.  It prevents God’s blessing – God will not bless the proud. He will not put His stamp of approval on the one who say, “I did it my way…”

 

  1. Effects of Humility:

a.   Psalm 138:6 Though the LORD is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.

b.  Isaiah 66:2 Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.

c.   Luke 14:11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

d.  James 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

e.   1 Peter 5:5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

 

My prayer today is this - Oh Lord, give us a humble heart, that we may seek you. Grant us, even in our adversity the full assurance of your presence. May we be comforted by the wonderful truth, that You are near. Even when the waves of adversity would seemingly threaten to overwhelm, and we fear we may perish, assure us of you abiding love, care, and deliverance from every trial.

 

Psalm 34 I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. 2 I will glory in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 3 Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. 6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. 9 Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. 10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. 14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; 16 but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth. 17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19 The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; 20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. 22 The LORD will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.  [NIV]