Am I perfect now? NOOOOOOOO. My pride still controls me. It is my nemesis. I hang on to it with every fiber of my being. It sucks. I pray for humility daily, yet I am still stuck in Romans 7:19. But… this does NOT mean that I am not going to change. Pride is destructive, and no good comes to me or those around me, so I WANT to change.
I cheat you of your God-given destiny…because
you demand your own way.
I cheat you of contentment…because you
"deserve better than this."
I cheat you of knowledge…because you already
know it all.
I cheat you of healing…because you're
too full of me to forgive.
I cheat you of holiness…because you refuse to
admit when you're wrong.
I cheat you of vision…because you'd rather look
in the mirror than out a window.
I cheat you of a genuine friendship…because
nobody's going to know the real you.
I cheat you of love…because real romance
demands sacrifice.
I cheat you of greatness in heaven…because you
refuse to wash another's feet on earth.
I cheat you of God's glory…because I convince
you to seek your own.
My name is Pride. I am a cheater.
You like me because you think I'm always looking out for you.
Untrue. I'm looking to make a fool of you.
God has so much for you, I admit, but don't worry…
If you stick with me
You'll never know.
Lord, please help me to remember the ugliness of pride as I go about my day. Thank You for showing me the dreadful effects of this sin. How I want to live a righteous life, in the name of Jesus! Take out my prideful heart and give me instead a genuinely humble heart that is pleasing to You. I love You, gracious Lord. Amen.
Adapted from Praying God's Word, by Beth Moore, pages 57-60