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Proverbs 16:18 (KJV) - Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
One of the definitions of pride is a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.1 Pride causes someone to believe they have everything 'right,' while a situation (or things) around them are far from it.
When pride stands in the way, dreams die, relationship crumble, desires remain wants, and people are lacking.
Now, a prideful person isn't always the image we have of snobbish people that walk funny and keep their noses high. Pride can reach all of us in many different ways. More often, people may be prideful in a particular area or issue. They believe their opinion or stance is right and all others are wrong - no matter what. They have convinced themselves (and/or found others to agree) with their opinion and they will not budge.
Pride keeps someone from saying, I love you, I'm sorry, I was wrong, forgive me, can we start again...
They will not budge because pride creates a barrier between their current position and their 'goal.' It keeps them from having what they truly desire. This may be part of the reason why Solomons writes pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. The 'end' of pride and a haughty spirit may not end in death (it can though), but they can end dreams, goals, and relationships.
Someone with pride will not admit they are wrong and they definitely will not admit defeat!
Many times someone with pride doesn't want to be viewed as weak or a pushover. So, they would much rather remain keep their position (at the cost of losing something they desire) than change themselves. They want to hold their 'strong' position hoping that the people involved will come 'up' to their level when it is them that must 'rise.' They rise by falling...in humility.
Proverbs 29:23 (KJV) - A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
One of the definitions of humility is the quality or condition of being humble; modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank2 - the opposite of pride. When someone is prideful in a particular area, they remain unwilling to bend their position. (That's probably the reason why the desires, goals, and/or relationships break away from them.) But when they are humble (and flexible), they have an opportunity to achieve their goals, receive their desires, restore relationships, and live in a manner pleasing to the Lord.
Before you dismiss this entry as being for someone else, take a moment to inventory the areas that have been 'strained' in your life. Ask the Lord to reveal any areas of pride that may be hindering reconciliation, a goal to be achieved, or a desire to be fulfilled.
Pride can be a wall, but walls can be torn down...
1 - Pride. Retrieved April 27, 2008 from the Dictionary.com Web site: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pride
2 - Humility. Retrieved April 27, 2008 from the Dictionary.com Web site: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/humility
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