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Failure of Pride

There is one vice of which no man in the world is free; which everyone in the world loathes when he sees it in someone else and of which hardly any people, except Christians, ever imagine that they are guilty themselves…The vice I am talking of is Pride or Self-Conceit: and the virtue opposite to it, in Christian morals, is called Humility.” —C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity

In today’s passage of Scripture, we see Jesus commend and correct Peter all in the same context. Peter proclaims that Jesus is the Messiah and is commended for this revelation. Jesus changes his name from Simon to Peter, which means ‘rock.’

After Peter makes his great proclamation, Jesus begins to explain that he will suffer and die at the hands of the religious leaders. Puffed up with pride, Peter rebukes Jesus for saying such things. Jesus then calls Peter Satan, which means ‘adversary.’

Peter goes from being the ‘Rock’ to the ‘Adversary’ all in the same conversation.

Have you ever tried to tell God what to do? Maybe you have thought God doesn’t care about your situation. That you are more concerned than he is, this is pride. There are many forms of pride. It can hide in insecurity, boastfulness, and those who think they know it all.

Pride often rejects help. It can flare up in anger and manipulation. It also makes people think they are better or worse than they actually are. The worst part about pride is that most people who struggle with it don’t know it. It’s the ultimate deceiver.

Everyone struggles with pride.

How do we overcome the failure of pride?

Decide today to walk in humility. This simply means not thinking too highly or too lowly of yourself. We are all in need of God's grace and mercy every day.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans, “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).

Ask for help. If pride often rejects help, then break its walls down by asking for it. You do not have to do life alone – you can ask for help. Begin investing in relationships where you can be real and honest because your destiny is tied to your relationships.

When we choose to walk in humility and ask for help, we destroy the pride that so easily deceives us, and we can walk in the Spirit of God.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I know I am prideful.

I know that it often blinds me from the truth.

I ask for help. Help me walk in humility.

Help me break down the walls of pride. Amen!