Thank you for visiting. We trust that you have enjoyed reading our articles.
The Warning Signs of Pride
“So then, Your Majesty, follow my advice. Stop sinning, do what is right, and be merciful to the poor. Then you will continue to be prosperous” (Daniel 4:27 GNT).
Pride is often the unintended and inevitable consequence of success. Far too often when life is going well, we become prideful. Many of us have heard it said, “pride goes before the fall, which is true. As Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.” Pride blinds us and makes it so easy to miss the warning signs of an impending fall.
We can make some simple choices that will help keep us humble and help us spot the warning signs of a coming fall before it’s too late. If we find ourselves in a position of influence or wealth, for example, we might simply need to go home, mow our own lawn, wash our own dishes, and personally take care of the people around you.
But no matter who you are or what your life is like, you also need to be on the lookout for messages from God that you’re headed down the wrong prideful path and need to be humble enough to turn around.
Nebuchadnezzar’s life is a clear picture of this. God cared enough about this pagan king to warn him about what was coming his way in Daniel 4. God could have just removed Nebuchadnezzar from power but instead He warned him and gave him a chance to change his ways. God gave him a dream and brought Daniel to interpret the dream. Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar what was going to happen and how to avoid it. You can’t get much clearer than that!
Daniel told the king, “So then, Your Majesty, follow my advice. Stop sinning, do what is right, and be merciful to the poor. Then you will continue to be prosperous” (Daniel 4:27 GNT).
Through Daniel, God gave Nebuchadnezzar three things to do and said success would follow. But the king chose to ignore this warning.
Is it possible we are ignoring or missing God’s warning signs too? Maybe you are having conflict in a relationship. You’re just passing it off as the other person’s problem, but God wants to use it as a warning sign—to show you that you’re off track in some area of your life and trouble is on the horizon.
It could be a temptation you’re battling because you’re continually putting yourself in a bad situation. Or maybe it’s chaos and confusion in your life. These all are signs that you’re not trusting God—that you’re trying to do life on your own terms.
God’s trying to tell us through these warning signs: “Stop sinning! Come back to me!”
If you’re heading down the wrong path, God loves you enough to give you a warning. Listen to His warning, repent of your pride, and return to him in humility.
Just as the prodigal son humbled himself and returned to his father, so can we do likewise and return to our Father.
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for love, grace, and mercy. Thank you for the warning signs you give us when we become prideful. Send Your Holy Spirit to help us discern your warnings and grant us the courage to take appropriate action that honors and glorifies You. Help us to remember that humility is a fruit of Your Spirit, and pride is a sin of the flesh. Amen.
Meet the Author
Todd Shupe is a Certified Lay Minister and Men’s Ministry Specialist through Francis Asbury Methodist Church in Baton Rouge, LA. He is a Board Member for Gulf South Men, an Action Team member for The Kingdom Group, and a Board Member for the Lagniappe Country Walk to Emmaus. Todd is a contributor to Project XII and Baton Rouge Parents Magazine. He is a Past President of the Baton Rouge District of United Methodist Men and remains active in this and many other local, regional, and international ministries. Additionally, he’s the author of the inspiring book “Fathering A Special Needs Child.” Todd also enjoys filling the pulpit to share the Good News of our Lord and Savior. Todd is the proud father of Emma and Kyle and resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
We welcome your comments below.
Liked this post?
Read more below or search for more topics...
-
Doubting Your Doubts
Doubting Your Doubts “The world’s sin is unbelief in me” (John 16:9 TLB). I have always been more interested in the root cause of a problem rather than dealing with the results of the problem. As Christians we talk a lot about sin, particularly the separation of the sinner from God and the forgiveness of sin due to the blood of Jesus for those that repent and earnestly seek His face. However, I wonder if we truly understand the basis behind our sin. Some would argue that the root cause is a desire to live in the flesh, pursue our own desires rather... -
Finding Peace
Finding Peace “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently” (Romans 8:25 NIV). One of my greatest desires is peace. However, it also can be one of the most elusive. I “postpone” peace until some task is completed. The problem is that some tasks can often go on for years, if not for a lifetime. As I hurriedly try to check items off my “to do” list, more items are added. A friend recently told me that I should focus on discerning what it is that God wants me to learn, see, or do while... -
Owners and Stewards
Owners and Stewards "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it" (Malachi 3:10 NIV). Stewardship at most churches is an awkward topic because most of us look at it as a means to give up “our” money. We all have worked hard for our money and naturally want to protect it, which is in fact good stewardship. According to...