Proud Spirit

I will break your proud spirit by making the skies as unyielding as iron and the earth as hard as bronze. [Leviticus 26.19]

In His dialog regarding blessings and curses, God reveals something of significance: all the sin of disobedience can be traced back to pride. A proud spirit is a nasty thing before our Father.

Even though we have such dire warnings against pride in the Bible, society today is rife with it. One has only to consider a day's worth of interactions with people to realize how many times they have heard (or said themselves) phrases like, "I'm not putting up with that..." or "they're not going to do that to me..." or even worse, "I know what the Bible says, but..." (most usually referring to unforgiveness).

Modern mankind is saturated with pride. So much is this the case that even marketing schemes appeal to the pride of man. Entitlements have pride at their core. Self-help has pride at its core. Pleasures have pride at their core. In fact, much of what makes up mankind today is driven by a proud spirit.

What is the solution? In a word, Jesus.

Jesus said this:

Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [Matthew 11.29]

A true believer today will stand out. Unfortunately, there is a lack for true believers today! Oh sure, many go to church, but let someone beat then to a parking space and just see how humble and gentle at heart they are!

To be "in Christ" is to be humble and gentle at heart.

Father, forgive me for a proud spirit. Help me to be on guard against it and avoid it with every fiber of my being!