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Guard Your Heart Against Pride

"And the Lord said to Moses: 'How long will these people reject me? And how long will they not believe me, with all the signs which I have performed among them?'" (Numbers 14:11).

Throughout the Holy Bible we see God's amazing work, many signs of His existence, and how He is caring for His children. Unfortunately we also see many people refusing to submit to God's plan for them and instead they are guided by their own pride. But we as God's children should learn to be humble by applying what we learn from the Holy Bible.

Many of us try to avoid reading the Old Testament. This is because either we do not think that it is important or we feel that it does not clearly show what God was intending. Also, many times we feel that the message of the Old Testament does not relate to our modern lives. However, we cannot let these stumbling blocks keep us from reading the Holy Bible.

We need to remember that the New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old Testament so it is important to study the Old and New Testaments. We will find that the more we read it, the more we gain better understanding of God's words. But in order to have full benefits, we must pray for God to give us His Holy Spirit and His Grace to be able to understand the message behind His words. Eventually, we will find that it is a delight to read God's letters to us over and over again and meditate on them.

In the Old Testament we often see men who are full of wickedness and refuse to respect God's Commandments. We also see God's anger and wrath on His people for their sins. However, there are some things we must keep in mind when reading the Holy Bible so that we do not lose trust and faith in God.

• God is greater (Psalm 145:3)
• God is love (1 John 4:8)
• God is powerful (Hebrews 12:29)
• God is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9)
• God is full of wisdom (1 John 3:20)
• God is unchangeable (Malachi 3:6)
• God is righteous (Psalm 129:4)
• God is full of goodness (Romans 2:4)
• God is just (Isaiah 45:21)

"Thus the heaven and earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done" (Genesis 2:1-2).

In the Holy Book of Genesis we are introduced to God and how He created the universe and everything in it by His own power, creativity, and wisdom. We also learn about His love for human beings. After He fashioned the world, He made human beings in His image and gave them free will.

God placed Adam and Eve in charge of the Garden of Eden and had a covenant with them (Genesis 2:15-17), but they did not honor it and instead sinned against God. As a result, they fell into condemnation and were thrown out of the garden. Many people are puzzled by how only one bite of an apple could result in turning Adam and Eve's lives, and all of our lives, upside down. From once a peaceful, beautiful, and flawless life to one that is dangerous, uncertain, and corrupt. But there are many questions.

• Why God tempted them?
• Why God punish them harshly?
• Why God allowed evil to come to the garden?
• If they had great relationship with God, why they did not call on Him?
• Why Adam and Eve did not have children in the Garden of Eden?
• How can we resist temptation?
• Is everything in God's hand?
• Is God struggling to make order out of chaos in our world today?

Today we still wonder and ask the same questions. Sometimes, it is so hard to understand that despite God's love for us, He allows us to be tested and to be held accountable for our action.

"Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding"(Job 38:4-7).

Angels were created before earth and God made Lucifer the most beautiful of all angels, but he was never content with his position. His heart was lifted up with pride. In his heart was a desire to be better than God, to take over God's throne. It was his pride that led to his down fall from heaven to the lowest depths of the pit (Ezekiel 28:12-14; Isaiah 14:12-19).

"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5).

In order to understand all of this we need to know the meaning of pride. Pride is the head of all sin and it is very deceiving because it comes in many forms.

• One can pride himself that he is very humble
• One can pride himself that he is not like others
• One can pride himself that he has an ability to learn more
• One can pride himself that he has an ability to do more
• One can pride himself for knowing God's words yet not share it with others

Pride can keep man from seeking God's Love, grace, help and wisdom and make man rather perish than to admit that he is a sinner. St. Augustine wrote "it is the commencement of all sin."

"Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man saying 'Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat. For in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die'" (Genesis 2:16-17).

We again see pride lead to the destruction of Adam and Eve. God gave them everything on a platter. He even loved them so much that He made them in His own image. However, when God put Adam and Eve in charge of the Garden of Eden, it was through a covenant. In His covenant with them, He placed them in charge of the Garden and over the other creatures, but God had a condition. He told them that they could eat from every tree but of the tree of knowledge they "shall not eat" or they "shall surely die". Yet they were never content. They put themselves in danger by not asking God for any help and support. Did they not realize God offers us His:

• Divine help
• Grace
• Mercy
• Salvation

Their pride was clear when they did not repent or ask for forgiveness after they sinned. That is why God never gave them a second chance.

Through these stories, God teaches us a harsh lesson. If we are self-centered, rebellious, unjust, and unrighteous or if we question God's ability, wisdom, and motive, we will not be able to understand God's ways. For without God's love, grace, and protection we do not stand any chance of being righteous and defeating Satan. Reading the Holy Bible with this knowledge at hand allows us to understand more about why God was grieving, angry, full of wrath, and willing to destroy mankind.

How do we protect ourselves against pride?

• Pray for God to help you and guard your heart
• Admit that you are short sighted and cannot see the whole picture
• Know the kind of tricks that Satan can attack us with
• Trust in God's love and power
• Invite Him to lead you to His way
• Repent when sin gets in the way
• Learn how to use your talent for His glory
• Dedicate yourself to fulfill His purpose in you
• Submit to His plan for your life

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptable with reverence and godly fear" (Hebrews 12:28).

Finally, God is in control. He knows when our life will end and He can read our mind and see our hearts. So do not let pride take you over. Instead, humble yourself in front of your creator and He may grant you His blessings.