These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood. Proverbs 6:6:16-17 NKJV
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate. Proverbs 8:13 NKJV
When pride comes then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 NKJV
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 NKJV
We all have family members we enjoy bragging about, but we should not brag about ourselves. Proverbs 27:22 says, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.”
The Lord hates pride. It was pride that caused the fall of the angel, Satan, when he wanted to be like the Most High God. It’s pride that causes us to trust in ourselves rather than a God who loves us and is in complete control. It’s pride that causes us to think there will be no consequences for bad behavior. It’s also pride that causes us to think our behavior is good enough to get us into heaven.
What’s worse is how prideful people are of their sin. It sickens me to think there was a time in my life when I, too, was prideful of my sins.
I can tell you this, God isn’t pleased with our sins. James sums it up in 4:6 by saying, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” I don’t know about you, but I don’t want God to resist me, I need His mercy and His grace.
My trials make me realize that I am nothing and I can do nothing without God. I am a sinner in need of a savior and that is nothing to brag about. The only thing I have to brag about is how good God is to me. I can brag about how powerful my God is. I can brag about this great love He has for me that I definitely do not deserve.
What I’m proud about these days are the awesome things God does for me and provides for me. They are the blessings, including the people, He has placed in my life.
Without Him I am nothing and I can do nothing. Through Him and the strength He provides for me I can do all He calls me to do.
When was the last time you boasted about your sin. I think often times we do it and never realize it. The devil is sneaky that way. Have you recently boasted about something you did that is in violation of God’s commands or that disobeys His written word?
None of us will be bragging come judgment day. We can confess our sins, repent and be forgiven and cleansed of all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9) today or we can explain ourselves on judgment day. By that time, it will be too late to ask for forgiveness, please keep that in mind.
Philippians 2:10-11 tells us there will come a day when every knee shall bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. By doing so now and living a life of trust in and obedience to Him we can be assured that we will enter His kingdom.
Don’t boast about your sin. God is not pleased with our sin. Don’t boast about your accomplishments, because you have done nothing that God did not allow and help you to do.
Boast about the loving God who forgives us when we fail Him. Boast about the loving God who strengthens us and holds us up by His righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).
There are many things I’ve done of which I am not proud. I am, however, proud of the God that I serve.
Have a great day!