Thursday, May 16, 2013 -- Humility Or Pride

The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands. (Psalm 25:8-10 NLT)

We need to let God change us, yet we cannot expect him to work his transformation in our life as long as we are still proud and unwilling to admit that we are helpless apart from him.  We need to admit that our own strategies for surviving have not worked.  Over and over again in the Bible, God tells us that he resists the proud but draws close to those who are humble.  How do we know when we are living in humility rather than stubborn pride?  1) When we are willing to obey God and walk down every path he shows us.  2) When we are willing to realign our practices and our thoughts with whatever God has said. 3) When we rely on God to rescue and protect us and behave in ways that show God’s word is true, rather than forming personal solutions that God’s word says are sinful or destructive.   

Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud. Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies.  You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me.  The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.
(Psalm 138:6-8 NLT)

Pride refuses to follow God, when what God says is inconvenient.  Pride is active in our lives when we continue to think negative, angry, or victimized thoughts.  Bad things happen but God has a solution for us.  Others may not change.  They may continue on a destructive path and never care about the impact of their wrong on us.  We are living in pride when we hold a demand on someone to “make a wrong right” with us, before we allow our thoughts and hearts to be filled with love for them.  We are living in pride when we decide that we “have to” do something to deal with the situation that is contrary to what the Bible says.

Humility stands with God, even when hurt and injustice takes place.  Humility invites God to show us the way forward.  God wants to save us.  God promises to work out good plans for our lives in a way that demonstrates faithful love.  If we truly want to walk a good path and build a safe and abundant life, it is necessary to come to God with a humble heart, and willingly follow God on the new path He shows us.