The Cost of Pride, The Gift of Humility

Day Eighty-Three

The Cost of Pride, The Gift of Humility (Read Proverbs 29:22-27)

²² An angry person starts fights;
    a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin.

²³ Pride ends in humiliation,
    while humility brings honor.

²⁴ If you assist a thief, you only hurt yourself.
    You are sworn to tell the truth, but you dare not testify.

²⁵ Fearing people is a dangerous trap,
    but trusting the Lord means safety.

²⁶ Many seek the ruler’s favor,
    but justice comes from the Lord.

²⁷ The righteous despise the unjust;
    the wicked despise the godly.

Reflection

Pride is a subtle trap that often disguises itself as strength, success, or self-sufficiency. Yet Proverbs 29:23 reveals a profound truth: pride leads to humiliation, while humility brings true honor. When we try to elevate ourselves through pride, we end up falling. But when we lower ourselves in humility, God lifts us up.

Jesus echoes this truth when he tells the Pharisees: “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12).

Let me share one of my favorite illustrations regarding pride; it’s fun and impactful. The source for the story is unknown, but it’s a classic, especially if the person sharing it is a great storyteller:

The Story of Ribbit Pride

A frog lived near a pond that was drying up. The frog knew he needed to find a new home, but being a frog, he couldn’t travel far without tiring. One day, the frog came up with an idea and asked two crows to help him. The plan was simple: each crow would hold one end of a stick in its beak, and the frog would clamp his mouth onto the middle of the stick. The crows would then fly and carry the frog to a new pond.

As they flew, people below saw the unusual sight and began praising the plan's cleverness. One of the bystanders SHOUTED, “Who was the genius who came up with that plan?” Feeling proud of his intelligence, the frog couldn’t resist boasting, so he opened his mouth to shout, "It was meeeeeeeeeeeeee!" But the moment he opened his mouth, he lost his grip on the stick, fell from the sky, and perished.

Moral of the Story:
The frog's pride led to his downfall—literally. In his desire to claim credit and boast of his cleverness, he forgot the important lesson of staying humble and silent when necessary. His pride caused him to act rashly, leading to his demise.

Jesus modeled a life of humility perfectly. As the Son of God, He had every reason to boast or claim power for Himself, yet He chose the path of humility. In Philippians 2:6-8, Jesus “humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” His humility wasn’t weakness—it was strength wrapped in love. Through His humble sacrifice, He was exalted and given the name above all names. Jesus shows us that the way up is down.

Pride is destructive because it pulls us away from God and others. It says, “I don’t need anyone,” but that’s a dangerous place to be. When we rely only on ourselves, we close our hearts to the wisdom, help, and love that God longs to give us. Pride isolates us. But humility opens our hearts to God’s grace and allows us to depend on His strength, not our own.

"Pride makes us artificial, and humility makes us real." ~ Thomas Merton

In contrast, humility positions us to receive God’s honor. Humility is not about thinking less of ourselves but of ourselves less. It allows us to lift others up, serve with love, and acknowledge our deep need for God in every part of our lives. Jesus promises that those who humble themselves will be exalted (Luke 14:11). When we choose humility, we align ourselves with God’s heart and open the door for His blessing.

"The humble person is not one who thinks meanly of themselves; they simply do not think of themselves at all." ~ Andrew Murray

Today, take a moment to examine your heart. Are there areas where pride has taken root? Ask God to help you choose humility, following the example of Christ. Remember, the humble will be honored in God’s kingdom, and those who serve will be exalted.

Reflection Questions

1. Where has pride been keeping you from entirely relying on God?
2. How can you choose humility in your relationships and interactions today?
3. How can you model Jesus’s humility in your daily life?

Next Steps

1. Pray for Humility Daily
   Begin each day by asking God to give you a heart of humility. Ask Him to reveal areas where pride may lurk and help you respond humbly, especially in challenging situations.
2. Practice Gratitude
   Pride often stems from a sense of entitlement. Combat this by practicing gratitude for God’s grace and blessings. Reflect on your dependence on God and thank Him for His provision.
3. Serve Others Intentionally
   Look for opportunities to serve those around you without seeking recognition or praise. Whether it’s a small act of kindness or meeting a more profound need, serving others in humility reflects the heart of Christ.
4. Reflect on Jesus’ Example
   Spend time regularly meditating on Philippians 2:5-11, where Paul describes Jesus’ humility. Let His example inspire you to live humbly, knowing that Jesus chose the path of humility for our sake.
5. Meditate on Scripture
   Regularly read and meditate on Bible verses that emphasize humility, such as James 4:10 or Matthew 23:12. Let God’s Word shape your heart and renew your mind, aligning you with His vision for humble living. By taking these steps, you can walk in humility and avoid the trap of pride, trusting God to lift you up and honor you in His perfect timing.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for modeling true humility. Help me to lay aside my pride and follow Your example of serving others with love. Teach me to rely on Your strength and not my own. I want to walk in humility and honor You with my life. In Your name, Amen.

May God bless your hearing, understanding, and application of today’s wisdom.