#AdaWisdomChallenge
READ Proverbs 21 (listen). WRITE out one verse and SHARE with someone.
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18
Read: Proverbs 16:18
Listen: Proverbs 16
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Solomon knew pride was one big obstacle to accepting advice. He says pride goes before a fall (Proverbs 16:18), a saying we still often quote today. Pride is such a huge obstacle that he mentions over and over.
In today’s The Wisdom Challenge reading, we read that pride produces sin (Proverbs 21:4). A way pride manifests itself is in a refusal to grow. Solomon had to mourn proudful people when he wrote, “Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them” (Proverbs 26:12). Solomon likely had seen pride derail many talented and promising careers and lives. There is no hope for the proud person when they refuse to listen to the wise advice needed to navigate life successfully.
Pride isn’t any less dangerous today. When we are younger, we tell ourselves people don’t know what we’re going through. As we achieve success, we think we can handle it because we got here after all. As we move into retirement, we feel we have competently navigated life thus far—so we don’t need to listen, especially to those younger. Pride hits us at each stage of life and isn’t something we grow out of.
No matter our age, we can be sure there is always something new we can learn and a different point of view to consider. Humility is recognizing there is still more we can learn.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Think about where pride seems to manifest itself in your life. We’ve got to deal with our pride if we are going to pursue a life that receives and seeks advice. Where do you feel like you don’t need help or advice? Confess that to God and ask him to help you grow in humility in that area.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
