How can we avoid pride as warned in Deuteronomy 8:14? Setting the Scene “then your heart will become proud, and you will forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” (Deuteronomy 8:14) Why Pride Creeps In - Comfort and abundance dull the memory of previous need. - Success tempts us to credit ourselves instead of God. - Forgetfulness of past deliverance opens the door to self-exaltation. Practical Ways to Guard the Heart 1. Keep God’s Past Works in Clear View - Daily rehearse personal testimonies of deliverance. - Celebrate communion, baptisms, and anniversaries of answered prayer as memorials. - Share stories of God’s faithfulness with family and friends to reinforce collective memory. 2. Maintain an Attitude of Gratitude - Begin and end each day listing specific blessings received. - Vocalize thanks before meals, meetings, and milestones. - Let gratitude shape conversation, turning compliments into praise to God. - “Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) 3. Practice Active Dependence - Start tasks with intentional acknowledgment of God’s enabling (John 15:5). - Invite the Spirit’s guidance before decisions, large or small. - Conclude successes by publicly attributing results to His grace (1 Corinthians 4:7). 4. Obey Promptly and Fully - View commandments as safeguards against self-centered living (Deuteronomy 8:11). - Set reminders to reread and apply Scripture that challenges self-reliance. - Measure progress not by comfort gained but by obedience rendered. 5. Serve and Give Regularly - Allocate time and resources to bless those in need, reinforcing stewardship over ownership. - Secret acts of service keep motives pure (Matthew 6:3-4). - Generosity redirects focus from personal accumulation to God’s mission. 6. Invite Accountability - Surround yourself with believers who speak truth in love when pride surfaces (Proverbs 27:6). - Welcome correction without defensiveness, remembering “Pride goes before destruction” (Proverbs 16:18). - Submit plans and achievements to trusted mentors for prayerful review. 7. Embrace Humility as a Lifestyle - Choose modest language about achievements, emphasizing God’s role (James 4:6). - Prefer listening over talking, learning over showcasing knowledge. - Celebrate others’ victories as sincerely as your own. Promised Outcomes of Humility - Continued enjoyment of God’s provision without the snare of self-glory. - Deeper intimacy with the Lord, who “leads the humble in what is right” (Psalm 25:9). - Freedom from impending downfall that pride inevitably invites. By remembering deliverance, cultivating gratitude, and actively depending on the Lord, pride loses its grip and God receives the honor He alone deserves. |
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