In what areas of your life does pride have your number? How did the enemy get this foothold in your life, and what can you do to go from being devoured by the enemy, to experiencing victory?
1 Peter 5:5-11
In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
One of the challenges in life is handling success in a humble and God honoring way. The Higher we are or even think we are, the further we fall and the harder we go splat. Forgive us God for where we believe our own hype and trust in what we can accomplish outside of your will. In verse 5, we see that You oppose the proud but those who are humble find your favor. Lord, do what you need to do in our lives, to humble us before you. Humility means thinking of God and others more. We know that much of what we value will be burned up in the refiner’s fire. Lord, we pray for a hunger and thirst for what brings glory and honor to you. All of us struggle with pride and thinking too highly of ourselves and we have an enemy who is prowling around looking for a chink in our armor so he can pounce and feed off our pride which leads to brokenness. The only way to find victory after defeat, starts with repentance. Repentance is different than forgiveness. Repentance means we are turning away from our sin and committing ourselves to God’s truth being lived out in our lives, by changing our perspective about what we value. Humility and repentance are a choice. We are called to humble ourselves and wait for God to lift us up for His purpose for our lives. If you are trying to say look at me, living the good life, while disregarding God’s truth, He will oppose you and bring down the BOOM! Instead, humbly trust God’s path.
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas of your life where pride has taken over. Humble yourself, repent and commit to God’s truth.
