“As the refining pot for silver and the furnace for gold, so is a man tested by the praise he receives.” — Proverbs 27:21
Pride has been trouble since the fall.
Pride pushes God away.
Pride says, “I’ll do it my way.”
“I’ve got it.”
The odd thing is, lowly people can walk in pride.
People with a rejection oppression can walk in pride.
And certainly, promotion of any kind can stimulate pride.
Fact is, one powerful proverb that has often caught my attention is this:
“A man will be tested by the praise he receives.”
Proverbs 27:21 — As the crucible tests silver, and the furnace assays gold, so praise received tests a man.
Success, promotion, advancement, even a fulfilled promise from God can offer an opportunity to disconnect just a hair from the rich dependency that the Father desires.
I pray that we are sober-minded and discerning, that we watch for every hint of pride.
Pride is a mocker. Pride is disobedient. Pride is independent. Pride thinks for itself. Pride puffs up self. Pride is subversive to God and authority. Pride is deceptive. Pride is sneaky. Pride already knows. Pride wants to be seen. Pride “has it.” Pride has a closed ear. Pride has a stiff neck. Pride has a busy tongue.
Pride won’t listen. Pride postures. Pride interrupts before listening. Pride answers with interruption.
Pride is resisting God, resisting wisdom, resisting truth, resisting the Father’s methods.
So God has to resist those who walk in pride.
After all, we are His offspring. We are His children. He created us for a holy dependency. Our life is fulfilled when we are in union with Him.
Father, deliver me of all traces of pride. I ask You to show me every hint, every trace of pride. Even as it comes up in my soul like leaven in bread, reveal it to me so I can cast the leaven out. I ask for Your help and Your convicting grace to rest upon my heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Make a list of ways you’ve been accepting prideful thoughts, attitudes, and imagination. Write these down and renounce all prideful behavior and imagination.