Spring is in the air and the temperature is getting warmer as the daylight hours are getting longer. With it comes the Hebrew month of Nissan which contains the appointed time of Passover. To every believer it is the crux of our faith. The reason we live and move and have our being. Repentance, redemption and the beginning of miracles are the characteristics of this month! We have much to look forward to!
As we prepare for this season, spring cleaning is essential. Getting rid of all that prevents us from obtaining God’s best. One main road block that can cause our destruction is pride. Although it pretends to be our friend, it is not. It promises power, protection and confidence, but it is a liar. It comes in various forms and steals our destiny. It is not always worn outwardly, but is often hidden in the recesses of our soul. Pride produces much fruit but it is always rotten, for its main thought is self.
It is rude, demanding and unloving. 1 Corinthians 13:4 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”
It is unteachable, argumentative and critical. Proverbs 13:10 says “Where there is strife (conflict), there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”
It is ungrateful, selfish and always leads to sin. Ezekiel 16:49 says, “Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy.”
It sows discord and is disrespectful. Romans 12:16 says, “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.”
It makes us anxious and insecure, causing us to compare ourselves with others. 1 Peter 5:6-7 says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
It separates us from our Saviour and leaves a wake of destruction behind us. Hosea 7:10 says, “Though the pride of Israel testifies against Him, yet they have not returned to the Lord their God, nor have they sought Him, for all this.”
So, Lord we ask that you would forgive us for our pride which has prevented us from seeking you with all our heart. We ask that you would reveal those hidden foxes so that they would no longer be able to steal. We chose to humble ourselves before you, so that You will lift us up - James 4:10. We don’t want to do anything out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but rather in humility we want to value others above ourselves - Philippians 2:3. We do not want to be deceived by thinking we are something when we are not - Galatians 6:3. We clothe ourselves with humility toward one another, for You God oppose the proud but give grace to the humble - 1 Peter 5:5.