|
|  |
Brandon Bracey's Seed Devotions!
359 hits
| Oct 04, 2008 4:36 pm |
|
Brandon Bracey's Seed Devotion: Pride. |
Brandon Bracey
 | |
Seed Devotion: Pride
Scripture NKJV Proverbs 5:13," The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverse mouth I hate."
I remember many years ago when I was invited to attend an awards banquet. This banquet was predominantly African-American and we would have a speaker come up and give a sermon at the end of the evening. The speaker was a young black man and he gave a sermon which spoke about how Jesus was black. The entire message was centered on convincing everyone in the audience that Jesus was black. I could tell the man was trying to inspire black pride, but he was doing it in such a divisive and arrogant way. It's one thing to want to help your race and inspire people, but it's another to be arrogant and divisive in a sermon...especially considering the fact that God made us so diverse. There is no color or race in Jesus. There were not another race or ethnic group at the event. If so, they probably would have left shaken up and disturbed.
This man was filled with fleshly pride. Pride is basically conceit and arrogance. Sometimes we operate in pride and do not even know it. Also there are other times we have pride and do know it. Ministries have fallen because of pride. Marriages have been destroyed because of pride. People have lost their jobs because of pride. People murder others because of pride.
Some men have so much pride in their wives or girlfriends that they start to treat them like trophies instead of people. As soon as another guy even says hi to them, they get jealous and ready to fight. Pastors who have to have power in their congregation through legalism and laws are often so prideful and insecure. They end up ruining the lives of their congregants and destroying their ministry. Some people can't stand to see you get a promotion so they tear you down behind your back. Why? Pride.
What is the root of pride. It can be a number of things. Basically, a lot of the works of the flesh. Galatians 5 shows us the works of the flesh. Here they are below:
The works of the flesh: Adultery. Fornication. Uncleanness. Lewdness.Idolatry. Sorcery. Hatred. Contentions. Jealousies. Outbursts of wrath. Selfish ambitions. Dissensions. Heresies. Envy. Murders. Drunkenness. Reveleries(Galatians 5:20-21)
But in the same chapter we also get to see the exact opposite of the works of the flesh. Here are the fruit of the Spirit below:
The fruit of the Spirit: Love. Joy. Peace. Longsuffering. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-Control. We must learn to walk in the spirit.(Galatians 5:22-23)
Are you operating in the works of the flesh or the fruit of the Spirit? Here are some ways below to overcome pride:
A) Walk In The Spirit: Most if not all of us have probably heard that when you turn the lights on darkness leaves. That is how it is with the flesh and the Spirit. When you are walking in the Spirit, you are not under the law and not fulfilling the lust of the flesh. It is hard to hate when you are walking in love. It is hard to be prideful when you are walking in humility.
B) Know Your Weaknesses: If you get jealous easily, you need to ask the Holy Spirit to help you. God will help us with those things we struggle with. We just have to ask. Unless you know your weaknesses, how can you deal with them?
C) Practice Humility: Pride goes before destruction( Proverbs 16:18). It is good to be proud of your accomplishments, but do not let it blow your head up so you think more highly of yourself than you ought to think. Also you were created by God, given your purpose by God, and have been blessed with talents and abilities from God. We did nothing to deserve this nor receive salvation. Thank God everyday for these things and it will help you to remain humble everyday.
C) Stay Intimate With God: I always say stay intimate because I truly believe that is the key to going to that higher level in Christ. Satan can't get the upper hand on you when you are intimate with God. But once you break that intimacy , you are fair game. Intimacy involves prayer, devotional time, fellowship, and enjoying God every second of every day.
I wonder if that man knew just how prideful and decisive he was being in that message. I am not sure. I do know that humility is crucial to being a true witness for Christ today. Amen.
Heavenly Father,
I bind the spirit of pride and loose humility into my life today. Help me be a humble, faithful witness of your love, grace, and compassion to the world. Thank you Lord today in Jesus name, Amen.
Permission To Distribute With Full Recognition Given To Author.
If you would like to make Jesus Lord of your life please pray this prayer:
Heavenly Father, I repent of my sins and ask you Jesus to come into my heart. Wash me clean and give me a new life. Thank you Lord for saving me, Amen. If you have just prayed this prayer congratulations! You are now saved and apart of the Family of God! The next step is to get into a good bible based church where the Word of God is proclaimed! Please email me at : brandon_bracey00@yahoo.com so I can assist you in your new beginning!
Brandon Bracey Ministries:
Celebrating Five Years Of Online Ministry!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BrandonBraceyMinistries
and
Brandon Bracey's Seed Devotions On Ryze!
http://brandonbracey-network.ryze.com
Private Reply to Brandon Bracey (new win) |
|
