2 Corinthians 12:5 I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Chronicles 26:16 But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the LORD his God
2 Chronicles 32:25-26 But Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud. Therefore wrath came upon him
Daniel 5:20 But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him.
Judges 2:3 So now I say, I will not drive them out before you, but they shall become thorns in your sides,
Job 2:7 So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.
Luke 13:16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?”
Do you ever wonder what turns the heart and soul of a person, proud? What is it that flips a switch in us and makes us think highly of what we have accomplished? We read of Paul who was given a thorn in the flesh and we know that it was given to him, by God, through Satan. The purpose was to keep in from not becoming proud. A proud heart will put self in front of God, think more highly of themselves than they ought, and look at others as less than they are. We are not immune to pride. It can attack us when we least expect it. It can start with simple enough thoughts of accomplishment but then on our own or with a nudge from Satan can turn into more. It is something I did. It is something I can do better than you. It is something reflecting my talent and superiority. It is something I can afford and you can’t. It is something your children have succeeded in. It can be in your intellect, strength, physical appearance. We are not immune to this. So how does a person fall for the bait of pride? When we are lax in studying His Word. When we are living in the presence of this world and not in the presence of God. We live to please ourselves more than God. When we honor and glorify ourselves rather than God. When we are consumed with worldly desires and wants over things of God. Yes, it will happen when we put anything number 1 and God somewhere else down in the list of priorities.
Do we think that any of our abilities came about by the sheer will of our mind or strength? Do we think it is of our doing? Our physical strength, mental intellect, and other abilities all come from God. Some will use these abilities to do some of the most vicious and hardhearted crimes against mankind. We know scripture tells us of times when bad things were done by people to Christians and God used it for good. We seem to have the ability to use our abilities that were given to us for good and what should be used for the single purpose of honoring and glorifying Jesus Christ into or for something bad and contrary to that very purpose. Our ability to think, do, speak, reason, understand, etc…. were all given to us, by God, and how we use them is freely given to us as well. Feed your heart, mind, and soul with God’s Word and pray for the ability to discern the temptation of pride.
Paul, once he understood and knew why God had “given” him this thorn in the flesh he was happy to bear it. He knew it was to keep him from becoming proud. Paul also knew this “Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Proverbs 16:5 “The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.” Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” We all ought to be so set against being proud that we seek God continually to expose it so that we can live to give Him “ALL” honor and glory.