May 31, 2010
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THE PITFALLS OF PRIDE
Is your confidence in Christ alone?

“Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before stumbling”
Prov. 16:18

Daryl Christensen has been a pro walleye-fisherman for many years. Fishing the major walleye-circuit, he has chalked-up many victories. As with all of us, sometimes success can lead to overconfidence. Such was the case for Daryl on an overcast June day several years ago. 

Daryl and his amateur fishing partner were fishing a pro-am tournament on Mille Lacs Lake about six miles off shore. After searching all day, they finally found a “honey hole” where the walleye were stacked up like cordwood. Unfortunately, a thunderhead was making its way across the lake, heading right over their position.  Daryl was not sure they could find this specific “hot spot” again and ignored the advice of his partner to head for safety. As the dark clouds rumbled closer, Daryl joked, “I’m ready if God wants to take me.”  His partner replied, “Well, I’m not.”  Trying to encourage the amateur, Daryl  confidently assured him, “I’ve stayed out in similar situations before with no problem.”

Then, just as Daryl was about to cast his 8-½ foot graphite rod, a bolt of lighting hit his rod. The charge knocked Daryl off his feet and rendered him unconscious for a couple of minutes. As he woke up, the amateur urged him to see a doctor immediately.  Daryl was in shock, pride definitely wounded.  He insisted that they keep on fishing. Within a few hours the shock of the experienced settled in and Daryl sought the medical assistance he very much needed. 

Our pride can have a way of ruling over intellect, blocking out all logic and reason.  It also has a way of clouding our spiritual well-being and distancing us from God.

The Prophet Jonah was another man who struggled with pride. His was perhaps the unfortunate by-product of his special gift. One day, when God asked Jonah to go to the capital of Assyria on a revival mission, he scoffed, refusing. In his mind (and according to prior prophesy), Nineveh was a lost cause, full of wicked people who would never listen. Boarding a boat set for the opposite direction, his arrogance and stubbornness swelled, but it wasn’t long before he learned who was really in control. God had other plans. Jonah’s itinerary was briefly interrupted; he was thrown into the sea, swallowed by a “big fish”, and given a long enough “retreat” to have a change of heart…and direction. Spit up onto the beach, Jonah promptly headed to Nineveh.

Lessons on pride are usually lessons hard learned. God’s Word is very clear about its pitfalls. Pride precedes disaster, is a hindrance to seeking Christ, and often leads men to scorn and reject God. It is extremely self-deceptive, eventually producing a contentious and selfish heart. Perhaps there is nothing more self-destructive than the pride of man. 

Truth battles pride. When we spend time in God’s word, we recognize who we are and Who God is, and we grow in wisdom and humility. Let’s let our confidence be in Christ alone, and, in humility, accept that we can do nothing outside the will of God.  Let’s avoid the pitfalls of pride.

The Power of Truth:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5

“Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Prov. 26:12

“In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.” Psalms 10:4

Suggestion for Prayer:

Ask God to show you any areas in your life where pride has crept in.