My Stinkin’ Pride

Pride is like bad breath. You’re always the last one to know you have it!

I’m thankful for a wife who’s not afraid to tell me when my pride starts to stink. It’s happened more than once.

My pride makes me hate to lose. Marci dislikes playing games with me when I am too competitive. I’m blind to how intense I can get. I figure I’m just giving it my best, doing what’s needed to win.

Pride loves to justify bad behavior!

“Pride will destroy you.” Proverbs 16:18

“The Lord detests all the proud of heart.” Proverbs 16:5

“God opposes the proud” James 4:6

Pride is so repulsive to God because it is the antithesis of love.

“Love… is not proud.” 1 Corinthians 13:4

Love is the greatest good, and pride, the greatest evil. Pride caused Satan’s downfall. Every evil act we humans have committed can probably be traced back to pride.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Philippians 2:3

Pride, simply put, is thinking too much about yourself.

I’ve found the best way to think about myself less is to think about the Lord more.

When I think of Christ’s hands and feet nailed to a cross because of my sins, it humbles me. There is no room for pride in a heart preoccupied with Jesus!

When I’m proud, I’m too self focused to love others well. Only the humble can really see how incredibly valuable other people are. Humility is the key to love, and love is what the Lord desires more than anything. Love is a pleasing aroma to Him.

Pride, on the other hand, is like bad breath. It stinks, and no one likes to be near those who have it.

Not even God!

“The Lord is near to those whose hearts are humble.” Psalm 34:18

Father, thank You for showing me my stinkin’ pride. Most of all, thank you for showing me Your humble love. May Your love burn up my pride until all that’s left of me is Your image. May I decrease so You can increase.

“Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.” James 4:1

“Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” Ephesians 5:2