“A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.” Proverbs 29:23

Pride Opens Doors Only Humility Can Close

Have you ever thought you had victory over something, only to fall flat on your face because of the pride in your heart about the thing? Sadly I have—on multiple occasions. Watching a family fighting on the way into church, thinking I’m sure glad we don’t do that, only to have a war in the car on the way home. Seeing a wife complain to her husband about something, thinking I’m glad I don’t treat my husband like that, only to watch his countenance fall as equally bitter words come out of my own mouth. Pridefully thinking I had mastered a food issue in my life while watching someone who has diabetes make unwise choices—only to be struggling now after two years to gain victory once again.

It brings to mind the Pharisee and the tax collector: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:10-14).

The beautiful thing is, God is waiting to redeem us. If we lay aside our pride and humbly ask for His forgiveness, His grace and mercy, He is quick to give it. He longs to do so. We can take back areas in our lives we have given up to the enemy in our pride, when we humbly seek the Lord. He will give us wisdom to make right choices (Proverbs 11:2). He will give us the fruit of the Spirit to have right relationships (Galatians 5:22-23a). He will give us strength to withstand temptations (1 Corinthians 10:13). In our pride we won’t ask for, or accept, any of these things from the Lord, but in our humility we will ask and receive to the glory of God!

Pride is full of judgment and criticism; humility is full of compassion and prayer. Pride opens the door to our flesh; humility asks God for the wisdom, fruit of the Spirit, and strength to close the door.

What doors have you allowed pride to open? I encourage you to ask God, right now, to give you what you need to close them.

Lord, thank You for Your grace and mercy. When we open doors in our lives with our pride, You provide a way to close them through humility. Amen.