Before Destruction

What does the Bible say about Pride? That it goes before a fall?
That’s what most of us say when we think we’re quoting Proverbs 16:18

Proverbs 16:18 actually says that “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather take a fall than to face Destruction. Destruction seems a lot harder to come back from.  If I fall, I will get up, as in Micah 7:8. But Destruction, that kind of seems permanent.  I think we are mistakenly letting ourselves of light when we misquote this scripture.

Pride and arrogance are two of my least favorite attributes in a person.  The people that I gravitate toward are the ones with an unwavering confidence in God, but humbleness and meekness about themselves.  The only thing I have to be lifted up about is Jesus, He is my everything and without him I am nothing.
As a preacher, I know that God called me, without a doubt.  He has used me both from the pulpit and out of it, I have no doubt. But still, there is nothing more humbling to me than to be used of God.  There is a boldness that comes with the anointing, but even with that boldness, I am still humbled and can clearly see my smallness and frailty.  I see what God can do through me, through other people, but I completely aware of my limits.  I know that I can barely talk one on one, let alone minister on my own.  Through Christ, All Things are Possible, through Greg, not so much.  I am both humbled and encouraged by this fact.  I know I can do nothing but fail without God, but the one thing that turns it around and makes it work is that the God that CANNOT Fail, loves me and is all the strength I need to succeed.  Admitting and submitting to this is essential to the success of anything I try.

A Proud Look
Of the Seven things that the Lord hates in Proverbs chapter 6, the first is a Proud Look. A proud look is to think more of yourself, to feel that you are better than others, to place yourself in an elevated status above others where you can look down on them.  I don’t believe that it’s a coincidence that Pride is first on this list, it’s more likely that pride is at the root of the others six.

Sadly, we have come to a place, in our society where everyone speaks their mind, and we consider that a good quality.
I don’t like what you do, you’re going to know it.  You inconvenience me, I’m going to put you in your place.
We don’t want to be offended, but we believe we have the right to put anyone who crosses us in their place.
My honest and sincerest opinion is still just that, an Opinion.  It’s not Law, not a rule. It’s an Opinion and probably better kept to myself unless asked for. And then Kindness needs to be the rule of the day.

The best piece of advice I can offer is this:
Just because a thing crosses your Mind doesn’t mean it should cross your lips (I usually say teeth instead of lips)
A whole lot of Wisdom is knowing what needs to stay on the inside and what needs to come to the outside.
Proverbs 17:28 sums it up like this:
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

The important things are not opinion, the Word of God, for instance, is not an opinion.  It is the immutable Law of the Almighty God of creation.  It’s not left to my personal interpretation, it is the Unchanging Word Of God.

Matthew 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

Matthew 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Proverbs 16:18 & 19 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.”

So, what more important, getting your way and forcing your opinion of men or pleasing God. Pride leads to Destruction, but Humility God will bless.

God Bless You,
Greg