C. S. Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity, “There is one vice of which no man in the world is free; which every one in the world loathes when he sees it in someone else; . . . There is no fault which makes a man more unpopular, and no fault which we are more unconscious of in ourselves. And the more we have it in ourselves the more we dislike it in others.” Can you guess what it is?
Pride.
Obadiah wrote that God was angry with Edom due to her pride (Obadiah 1:2-3). And, in fact, the people of Edom were proud of many things:
• Their security (Obadiah 1:3). Because of the city’s configuration, it was almost impregnable.
• Their wealth (Obadiah 1:5-6). The major trade routes of the Middle East went through Edom. Consequently Edom could tax all the commerce that came via these routes.
• Their alliances (Obadiah 1:7). Due to its strategic location, all the surrounding nations wanted to establish a good relationship with the Edomites.
• Their wisdom (Obadiah 1:8-9). Because they were on the trade route, they encountered educated men from many different lands.
So Edom was strong, rich, smart, and had good connections. Are we filled with pride for the same reasons? The simplest manifestation of pride is self-sufficiency. We feel that we can do it on our own, and we begin to measure everything and everyone by our own standards.
Be warned. For “God opposes the proud but favors the humble” (James 4:6). Or as one writer stated, “Men who trust in anything short of God are like the man who in a thunderstorm takes shelter under a tree, whose tall branches attract the lightning, which scorches him to ashes.”
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 8:1-20
More:
Read Proverbs 16:5 for God’s attitude toward pride, and check out 2 Chronicles 26:16-21 for a clear example of how God deals with it.
Next:
What issues with pride are you encountering in your life? How can you keep your pride in check?
ehdlive on July 29, 2013 at 3:17 am
Even believers are vulnerable to this onslaught.. the need to really watch out is imperative.
mike wittmer on July 29, 2013 at 12:08 pm
This is a huge problem, isn’t it? I preached from Obadiah last night, so it’s fresh in my mind that the Edomites also were complicit in the destruction of their brothers, Judah (v. 9-12). So perhaps pride is also often the sin behind our destruction of others. We disdainfully tear them down because we suppose they’re not worth what we are. May God forgive us!
ruth o'reilly-smith on July 30, 2013 at 2:00 am
I really enjoyed this devotional – thanks Poh Fang. Pride in our hearts seems to be something we have to consistently and intentionally deflect away from us by humbling ourselves before God and admitting our need for Him. There’s a fine line for instance between promoting yourself and what you do so you can increase your platform of influence, and yet always deflecting praise and giving glory to God.
alli on July 30, 2013 at 10:22 am
Ive had spiritual pride’ im better than you bc i read a zilliom scriptures etc’ ive had cultural pride well at least im not like ‘those’ people over there. As if i wouldnt do what they would do in thier circumstances. I hate when ppl talk about the poor like if God hadnt made them poor theyd not b tempted to steal. I learning God hates it i know it im learning to do better. Yikes
alli on July 30, 2013 at 10:26 am
Or greedy people or rich ppl who perhaps used to b poor and are rich by God or greedy by self bc they refused to return we never know. Only God knows why we have what we have. Maybe Hes simply showing someone what God will do if you trust in the Lord so they may do the same
winn collier on August 1, 2013 at 1:13 pm
Interesting, isn’t it, that pride is an over-absorption with our selves and yet it hurts others ever bit as much as it hurts us.