Pride and arrogance have been the downfall of many people. In ancient times, Alexander the Great was once trying to attack some enemies who had situated themselves on a high mountain that was almost impossible to get to. Alexander tried to negotiate with the enemy but was unsuccessful. He was so frustrated that he was almost ready to give up until one of the enemies uttered a statement of tremendous arrogance. The enemy told him that to defeat them, he would have to “find soldiers that could fly.” This so infuriated Alexander that he was stirred to action. He found a way to defeat this enemy despite the seeming impossibility. The enemy’s pride resulted in their defeat and death.
The Scriptures tell us the same thing. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” The next verse tells us, “Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.” God cannot use the proud of heart. The proud seek to glorify themselves rather than God. God does not bless the proud but he lifts up the humble as Isaiah 66:2 tells us:
“This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.”
Let us always keep this in mind so that we will never be prideful and find ourselves of no use to God.
