Pride Power   

The Bible says, “Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken. Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.” Jeremiah 13:15-16 (KJV)

“Pali, this bull has killed me.” So said Jose Cubero, one of Spain’s most brilliant matadors, before he lost consciousness and died. Only 21 years old, he had been enjoying a spectacular career. However, in this l958 bullfight, Jose made a tragic mistake. He thrust his sword a final time into a bleeding, delirious bull, which then collapsed. Considering the struggle finished, Jose turned to the crowd to acknowledge the applause. The bull, however, was not dead. It rose and lunged at the unsuspecting matador, its horn piercing his back and puncturing his heart.

Just when we think we’ve finished off pride, just when we turn to accept the congratulations of the crowd, pride stabs us in the back. We should never consider pride dead before we are.

 “When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2 (KJV)

How can we combat pride? One way is to practice the Principle of Praise. Whenever anyone seeks to give us praise we should respond by giving praise where it belongs…unto the Lord! Say: Praise the Lord! But it goes further. When your car won’t start, your washing machine or refrigerator dies, say Praise the Lord. Understand the Word of God. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:11-12 (KJV) “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

If our adversary tries to attack us with his crafty methods, if his demons try us with disappointment say “Praise the Lord”! the last thing demons want to do is to glorify our Creator! Likewise, the Principle of Praise helps us humbly give the praise where it belongs…not on us but upon the Lord! Praise the Lord! 

Daily Chronological Bible Reading: Jeremiah 10-13