Tag: pro11

The Pride Problem!

Today’s reading from Ezekiel is a good reminder of the outcome of pride. God has a message for Ezekiel to give to the kings of Tyre and Egypt. To the king of Tyre, God says because you claim that you are a god and as wise as a god, I am going to bring an army against you, and you will fall (Ezekiel 28:2, 7-8). Concerning Pharaoh, who claims in pride to have made the Nile River, God says that He will pull Pharaoh out of the Nile and into the wilderness and leave him there to die (Ezekiel 29:3-5). Though not mentioned in the reading, The Book of Daniel reminds us of Nebuchadnezzar, who was lifted with pride. God responded by causing him to crawl around on all four limbs like an animal and eat grass like an ox (Daniel 4:30–33). In the New Testament, the people called Herod a god, and because he did not dispute that claim, he immediately broke out into worms sent by God, which consumed him (Acts 12:21–23).

So, what does the Bible say about pride? Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud. (Proverbs 16:18–19, NKJV) When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2, KJV) A proud person lacks wisdom, for wisdom says to stay humble and not think of oneself too highly. 

What, then, is our best protection against pride? Notice this instruction from God’s Word. Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. (Romans 12:3, NLT) Yes, by faith, let’s heed this warning from God!

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Ezekiel 28-31.

Blunt wisdom for the mouth!

Wow! Proverbs hits hard on those who don’t control their mouths! Today’s reading boldly deals with gossipers, liars, and babblers who know it all. 

For the perception of wisdom babblers try to create through the massive number of words they spew, they are those whose lives usually fall flat on their faces in disaster (Proverbs 10:8, 14 NLT). These people can’t shut their mouths. They go on and on about everything—always right, of course. Sadly, they also can’t be instructed because they know everything. They always have a better angle on what you are trying to say.

Then there is the liar. Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed (Proverbs 12:19, NLT). One of the liar’s trademarks is that they are deceived themselves. Since lies are soon exposed, the liar must lie again. Eventually, they cannot keep their lies straight in their minds, and they begin losing their mooring as a person. They eventually lose the soundness of their mind. They become that person everyone knows you can’t believe a word they say—herein is the liar’s ultimate self-deception; they think people believe them. How sad!

The gossiper. One of the trademarks of the gossiper is they love to tell secrets, and in the end, they have no friends. A gossip goes around telling secrets… (Proverbs 11:13, NLT) With their words, the godless destroy their friends… (Proverbs 11:9, NLT) Be careful about receiving secrets from the gossiper, lest you divulge your own for everyone to hear!

Perhaps this verse sums it up. It’s blunt but sound wisdom! Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. (Proverbs 10:19, NLT) Ouch! But honestly, we know it’s good advice!

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Proverbs 10-12.