Self Pride

Sunday, September 6, 2026

Good morning, Lord

Father in Heaven, open my heart and mind, Holy Spirit. Fill my consciousness and complete Your joy in me as I take up my cross and follow...In Jesus' name…

Memory verse: 1 John 1:8–9

8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the 

truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all 

unrighteousness.

Verse of the day—Matthew 28:18-20 "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Today’s reading: Psalm 148-150 1 Corinthians 15:29-58

Self Pride

Proverbs 3:13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom

And the man who gains understanding.

As we learn to take up our crosses and follow Christ, we learn that the scripture is given to us as a living thing-alive only when we are in it and it is in us. The longer we live in the Word, the more we grow into His wisdom.

Years ago, I loved to watch what we called 'm-bus' movies-'mindlessly blowing up stuff'. We have all seen at least a trailer of great explosions and mayhem-you know, usual 'guy' stuff. It may seem like escape to some but those images can't really be constructive in the long term.

After years of reading the Bible over and over and reading and re-reading the old testament where whole armies are destroyed in a night, I have found myself not enjoying the sight of even staged destruction. It gives me that weightless, roller-coaster 'yuc' feeling in my stomach. That feeling is extended into any time I see someone treated cruelly and inhumanely.

You can say that I have just outgrown some things, but I know what has happened. The holy Spirit has replaced my thrill for destruction with a love for 'still waters'.

It's like foul language-the Lord takes away the need to be foul if we allow Him. But the enemy fights this. The language gets more foul everyday but the masses do not seem to care while my stomach rolls when I hear it.

It is healing and refreshing to fear the Lord and turn from evil when we do it for His name's sake-for God's purposes-for His kingdom.

But we still will fall when we start feeling wise in our own eyes. We can never get comfortable with our own righteousness-it is His righteousness and never a point of pride for ourselves.

The minute I get wise in my own eyes-or proud that bad language makes me sick-that's when I find myself in the middle of judging someone for that language and that is simply sin. My heart should be hurting for them at that point-hurting for them to be free from the enemy's chains.

Proud of yourself? Wise in your own eyes? Think you're smart?

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

How do you look in your own eyes?

The Lord wants us to be free in green pastures and beside still waters...

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Guide me to guard my heart and give me great love for Your Word and Your Righteousness. Forgive me my pride.

Loving God of mercy and peace and wisdom.

In the name of Jesus Christ,

Amen