Year of the Bible: Part Six of Twelve Exemplo

Pride Goes Before a Fall

Arrogant people are likely to fail. Haman thought the king loved and valued no one but himself. However, Haman was horror-struck when the king asked him to honor Mordecai the Jew, the man Haman hated above all men and whose ruin he was designing. Haman had a plan to destroy the Jews and was so confident in his scheme and hatred that he was utterly blindsided when his plan was exposed and overturned. He was now receiving the cruelty he had planned for the Jews.

Many proverbs warn that pride is a dangerous offense. Proverbs 16:18 declares, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." A similar proverb expands the message: "Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor" (Proverbs 18:12). Pride sets us on an ill-fated course, but the opposite of pride—humility—leads to honor.

We see that both Mordecai's and Queen Esther's posture in service to the king, love for their people group, and trust in God's deliverance were all clothed in humility. 1 Peter 5:5-7 says, "Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves under God's mighty hand so that at the proper time, He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him because he cares for you."

Question: What safeguard can you place around your heart to alert you when you are becoming proud?

Prayer: Pray for God to show you what humility looks like and how to put it on!