There they cry out, but He does not answer, Because of the pride of evil men. Job 35:12 (NKJV)
In our devotional series on communication weve learned that:
"We need to listen to others when we are communicating with them, and not just be talking.
"We need to listen to the Lord when we are praying with Him
"Weve learned that when we continue to live in our old fleshly habits and sinful ways, we are hindering our communication with the lord and others.
"Weve learned that our attitude greatly affects our ability to communicate with others.
"Weve learned that unrighteous anger hinders our communication with the Lord and with othersIt blocks our prayers to God.
In todays devotional, well look at another element that we can all possess that will hinder our communication, both with the Lord, and with others, and that element is Pride.
Pride is a killer, and it is the basis for a bad attitude. Satan fell from grace when he became prideful and decided to do things his own way, and not Gods. It is no different for us. When we are sinning, which is anything that is not in Gods will for our lives, then we are allowing pride to govern our actions, because when pride sets in, we are not likely to listen to others with good Godly advice and counsel, and instead we are insistent on doing things our own way, regardless of the possible consequences.
&Therefore He says: God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble. James 4:6 (NKJV)
There is a common denominator that exposes the pride in those who continue to walk in sin, and that is the one that needs the accountability the most, will be the one who wants it the least. When this is the case, the communication between this prideful person and the Lord, and others is hindered.
Like I said, when were walking in pride, we probably wont acknowledge that we even have a problem. And not being willing to admit our need for help, can be deadly both spiritually, and physically.
A quick stroll through the proverbs will net one great wisdom with regard to having a prideful spirit or heart.
"Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way
"Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.
"Proverbs 13:10 By pride comes nothing but strife&
"Proverbs 14:3 In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride&
"Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
"Proverbs 29:23 A mans pride will bring him low&
One of the ways that pride usually manifests itself in our lives is our unwillingness to confess our own faults. There is a facetious saying that goes like this, I have no faults, just ask me.
Weve already addressed the fact that when we dont confess our sin before the Lord, He will not hear our prayer (Isa 59:1. 2). But not confessing our faults to others greatly hinders our communication and our relationship with them as well. When we choose to be prideful, and refuse to confess our faults, we will tend to become defensive and we are usually argumentive about defending our position. We need to take responsibility for our actions, and not be attempting to transfer the blame to others.
We see a great example of deflecting responsibility in the story of Adam and Eve blaming others for their sin in the scriptures below.
Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, Where are you? So he said, I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself. And He said, Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat? Then the man said, The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate. And the LORD God said to the woman, What is this you have done? The woman said, The serpent deceived me, and I ate. Genesis 3:9-13 (NKJV)
Bottom line is that pride is sin, and sin leaves our relationships and us unhealthy. Were told in scripture that we need to confess our faults with one another so that we can be healed (James 5:16).
Hey Christian, lets not be prideful. Lets not blame others for the things weve done, or are doing. Lets confess it before the Lord, and those who weve hurt along the way. Lets pray with one another and be reconciled. Remember the effective prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16).
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn about pride from the scriptures contained within this devotional?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Is there something youre being prideful over, and therefore it has caused a problem between you and someone else?
APLLICATION: Confess your pride and the sin of it before the Lord, and then go and be restored (As best as you can) with the one you have an issue with.
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