“Pride goeth before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12
Our weekly Christian devotional
“Five…four…three…two…one!” Austin slammed his callused palm down on the mat.
“Mike is the new middleweight grappler!” Bounding quickly from the sidelines, the coach grabbed a hand from each athlete, lifting Michael’s higher for the crowd.
“Great job, both of you.” Austin winked at the champion. Although he had a heart for all his students, Mike’s discipline and hunger for the game earned his coach’s respect.
Austin left the sweaty pair and headed back to the mat’s edge. Lifting his eyes, he felt the warmth of his students. All of them gazed admirably at the aging athlete; they seemed to look at Austin as if he alone held the keys to life and happiness.
Several sports injuries prevented Austin from achieving his personal dreams. But, his grappling school was famous for churning out title-holders. Although it wasn’t exactly the path he had envisioned for himself, being a demi-god in this corner of the world gave his ego some satisfaction.
He bent down to pack up his gear, his knees and lower back ached as if he were ninety five.
“Every dog has his day.” Austin grabbed the nearby bench giving himself an easier hoist up, hoping his students weren’t watching him now.
“Mind over matter.” Under his breath, Austin repeated his favorite mantra.
Today Austin McGregor could no longer convince himself out of the obvious. No matter how successful he became, his humanity always found a way to scratch to the surface. The naive’ opinions of his admiring students were trumped by the fact that Austin was most certainly not a god; he was merely a forty seven year old ex-athlete.
Proverbs 16:18 and 1 Corinthians 10: 12 gives us a sobering reminder of the final destination that pride always leads to.
It’s easy to believe the accolades of those who elevate us, especially if our tender egos need reinforcement to begin with. But, as nature and gravity has been telling man since the days of Adam, everything that rises eventually comes down.
You can save yourself a lot of heartache by avoiding pride to begin with. This isn’t exactly the easiest thing to do, but it’s far simpler than having to learn the ‘pride lesson’ the hard way.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I have some very deeply rooted insecurities. I know this because my pride and ego continually need to be fed. I’m addicted to the approval of everybody—everybody but, you, Lord. This is wrong and I know it.
I don’t even know how this issue even became the elephant in the room for me. Can you show me, Lord? Expose the roots of my pride and feelings of insecurity.
As you reveal them to me, help me to take responsibility for agreeing with the enemy of my soul.
Help me to learn who I am in you. Show me how valuable I am in your eyes so I can have a balanced view of myself.
I want to walk as confidently as a child of a King. But I need you to help me to also be as humble as a child that knows his/her place. This is not an easy task. Lord you said you would help me and I’m counting on you to do just that.
I commit to reading the words of Jesus. I commit to really obeying his clear directions on how I am to live this life of humble submission.
In Jesus’ name, I thank you for sending Jesus as not only my Savior, but as a living example for my daily life. Amen.”
Thank you for reading our weekly Christian devotional on verses:
Proverbs 16:18, I Corinthians 10:12
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan