Read: Proverbs 8:1-14

The fear of the Lord is to hate
evil; pride and arrogance…I
hate. -Proverbs 8:13

I was one of the speakers at a family camp in Canada.
One afternoon as my wife and I were visiting a couple
who directed the children’s ministry, their teenage son
came in and sat down. During a lull in the conversation
he asked me, “Who are you, one of the big shots here?”

Momentarily I was speechless. Young people have a way
of cutting through pretense and getting right to the
point. “Well,” I replied, “some people around here
might think so, but you and I know the truth.”

God has no big shots, yet the “Christian world” has
created celebrities, and many people bow at the shrine
of big-name speakers and musicians. Some in public
ministry begin to believe the superlative descriptions
of themselves and think they are superior. but when
pride takes over, shame and disgrace are sure to follow
(Prov. 11:2). In contrast, the pursuit of humility
brings honor (29:23). Men and women who truly
understand God’s greatness detest any signs of pride
within themselves (8:13).

It’s appropriate to show honor and respect to God’s
servants, but we lack wisdom if we think of ourselves or
others as “God’s big shots.”

Lord, help us to hate sinful pride as You do!
-Dennis J. De Haan

Use us, Lord, and make us humble,
Rescue us from foolish pride;
And when we begin to stumble,
Turn our thoughts to Christ who died. -Sper

WHEN WE ARE FILLED WITH PRIDE,
WE LEAVE NO ROOM FOR WISDOM.

OUR DAILY BREAD, Copyright 1999 by Radio Bible Class,
Grand Rapids,Michigan. Used by permission.