"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom" - Proverbs 11:12 (NIV).
There are all manner of sins forbidden in the Bible, like the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit: "Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven" (Mathew 12:31). Equally of significance is the sin of pride. This easily becomes clear when one looks at the fall of the once all powerful Lucifer.
The fall of Lucifer was precipitated because he became so impressed with his own beauty, intelligence, power, and position that he began to desire for himself the honor and glory that belonged to God alone. "You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you.. Your heart became proud on account of your beauty ,and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor.
So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings" (Ezekiel 28:12-17).
Achievement in life is a most desirable realization, but what if it gets on one's head as happened here. And, unfortunately, the case of Lucifer's pride on account of his rise to a position of prominence still plagues us today. Who has not felt that moment of invincibility when at the top! The top might be any situation of comparison where one starts looking down on others because of his accomplishments.
To overcome this we are reminded to clothe ourselves with humility. "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (Col 3:12). One does not have to have everything to swell and start gloating with his power. Because of our human fragility we need always God's Holy spirit to humble us and keep us in the right lane. For His promise is, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up" (James 4:10).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray for your Holy Spirit to ever convict me where and taken up by pride that you are exalted in my life, this I pray in Jesus's name.
