Day 188: The Dangers of Pride (Proverbs 16:18-27, Acts 25:23-26:23, 2 Kings 14:23-15:38)

Day 188: The Dangers of Pride (Proverbs 16:18-27, Acts 25:23-26:23, 2 Kings 14:23-15:38): Proverbs 16:18-27 18 Pride goes before destruction,    a haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed    than to share plunder with the proud. 20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,    and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. 21 The wise in heart are called discerning,    and gracious words promote instruction. 22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,    but folly brings punishment to fools. 23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,    and their lips promote instruction. 24 Gracious words are a honeycomb,    sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. 25 There is a way that appears to be right,    but in the end it leads to death. 26 The appetite of laborers works for them;    their hunger drives them on. 27 A scoundrel plots evil,    and on their lips it is like a scorching fire. Proverb Commentary Cultivate humility God wants you to learn to walk in humility and kindness, not arrogance and pride. Pride comes before a fall: ‘First pride, then the crash – the bigger the ego, the harder the fall’ (v.18, MSG). We are reminded that ‘It’s better to live humbly among the poor than to live it up 

Proverbs 16:18-27

¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction,
   a haughty spirit before a fall.

¹⁹ Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
   than to share plunder with the proud.

²⁰ Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,
   and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.

²¹ The wise in heart are called discerning,
   and gracious words promote instruction.

²² Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,
   but folly brings punishment to fools.

²³ The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,
   and their lips promote instruction.

²⁴ Gracious words are a honeycomb,
   sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

²⁵ There is a way that appears to be right,
   but in the end it leads to death.

²⁶ The appetite of laborers works for them;
   their hunger drives them on.

²⁷ A scoundrel plots evil,
   and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.

Proverb Commentary

Cultivate humility

God wants you to learn to walk in humility and kindness, not arrogance and pride. Pride comes before a fall: ‘First pride, then the crash – the bigger the ego, the harder the fall’ (v.18, MSG).

We are reminded that ‘It’s better to live humbly among the poor than to live it up among the rich and famous’ (v.19, MSG).

A lack of power is very frustrating at times when we think we know how best to advance the kingdom of God. However, Jesus had very little power from a human point of view. He was ‘lowly in spirit and among the oppressed’ (v.19).

‘Lowliness of spirit’, the opposite of pride, brings:

1. Prosperity

Humility means a willingness to learn: ‘Those who give heed to instruction prosper’ (v.20a).

2. Happiness

The humble trust in God: ‘Whoever leans on, trusts in, and is confident in the Lord – happy, blessed, and fortunate is he’ (v.20b, AMP).

3. Healing

As opposed to the arrogant words of the proud (‘scoundrels plot evil, and their speech is like a scorching fire’, v.27), the humble use pleasant words (‘pleasant words promote instruction’, v.21b). ‘Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones’ (v.24).

Prayer

Lord, help me always to stay dependent on you, to trust in you.