Pride kills
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. ~ Psalm 19:14, NLT
Pride kills. It kills opportunity. It kills relationships. It kills leadership. It kills nations.
In Exodus 6-8, we repeatedly read that Pharaoh hardened his heart against God. In Matthew 26:47-68, we read how the high priest, the teachers of religious law, and the elders desperately sought witnesses against Jesus who would say the same thing so that they could find a reason to kill Jesus. They hardened their hearts against him and refused to see him for who he was. They spit in his face and beat him with their fists.
Of all the deadly poisons known to humanity, none is more dangerous than pride. Thankfully, there is an antidote.
In Psalm 19, King David talks about God’s wisdom and truth. In verses 7-11, he says they are perfect, trustworthy, right, clear, pure, true, desirable and provides warnings and rewards. He says God’s words of truth and life revive the soul, make wise the simple, bring joy to the heart, give insight for living, last forever, are fair, are more desirable than the finest gold and are sweeter than honey.
King David confesses that he has blind spots (v. 12). God’s words open his eyes to these and help him see what was hidden. He asks God to keep him from deliberate sins and the hold they would have on his life. He asks to be free from their control and the guilt they bring.
Then he brings it home with words of a heart that is pliant (readily bending) and malleable (pressed out of shape without breaking): “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.”
Pride kills. Pride murders. Soft hearts in the hands of God experience and express an enriched life that blesses all it encounters.
Our Father, I need your words of truth and life day by day. I need the insight gained from the stories and instruction you have preserved for us. I need the shock of recognition of impure motives that are exposed by your warnings. I long for the rewards of living aligned to your will and attuned to your heart. Give me the daily discipline of reading, pondering, applying and praying your words of truth and life. Then King David’s prayer will be fulfilled as you make the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart an honor to you and servants to others. Then I will experience you as my Sovereign, my rock, and my redeemer. Amen.
Photo source: istock
 | David Bowman, (DMin, PCC) is the Executive Director of Tarrant Baptist Association in Fort Worth, Texas. He also serves as a Multiplying Trainer for Future Church Co. Learn More » |
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