Pride’s Fall
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18) The downfall of our country has taken place because of our pride. From the time most of us learn to walk and talk, pride of self and the independent spirit of humanity is poured into our life. The younger generation seems to have very little respect for the older generation, or authority, or society. We are watching the ‘you owe me’ generation grow up. They want everything handed to them while they stand on the backs of the hard-working previous generation. Our nation has become a nation of politically correct pansies.
Pride slips in like a cool breeze through an non-winterized window. The affects may not be immediately felt but, in time, they show up as they make our hearts grow cold. Even in the midst of our churches, pride slips in with our well polished sermons, Sunday morning beauty pageants and well decorated sanctuaries. Our eyes are removed from the simplicity of the gospel and captured by self-sufficiency and pride. Then destruction follows.
Pride is illustrated in the story of the flying turtle who wanted to spend the winter in Florida, but he knew he could never walk that far. He convinced a couple of geese to help him, each taking one end of a piece of rope, while he clamped his vise-like jaws in the center. Without saying a word, he knew he had the strength in his jaws to hold on for the entire trip. The flight went fine until someone on the ground looked up in admiration and asked, “Who in the world thought of that?” Unable to resist the chance to take credit, the turtle opened his mouth to shout, “I did.”
Few things will do as much damage to our spiritual life as pride. It works like leaven—secretly, silently, and from the inside. We must learn to take our pride to the Cross and lay it down. Pride says, “Look at me.” Humility says, “Look at Jesus!” Pride loves to take credit for our accomplishments, instead of acknowledging that all things are by God’s amazing grace.
Our country needs men and women who will stand up for God’s truth. Our children and grandchildren depend upon us. Times demand that we become more than another generation of church goers who are unspiritual and self-focused. We need to stand and proclaim the wonderful message of Christ’s death and resurrection. When we take our last breath on earth, let our children rise and testify of our faithfulness to the Scriptures. Let our lives be a burning lamp that points the way of truth, life and grace.
Let our example of humility encourage all who know us to bend their knees and heart to Christ. Our nation is crying out for examples. Let us be true to avoid the plight of the turtle and not take the horrible journey of… Pride’s Fall!
…the Spirit of Herod!
