PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18
Do you know of someone who has pride? You may be thinking of your spouse or someone who is very successful, but I am asking you to search your own heart today. Ask the Lord to reveal to you if you have any pride in your heart that you may not even be aware of during this difficult time in your life and marriage.
What is the meaning of pride? The Nelson's Three-In-One Bible Reference Companion says: a conceited sense of one's superiority. In The American College Dictionary the meaning of pride reads: high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing conduct, etc.; the state or feeling of being proud; becoming or dignified sense of what is due to oneself or one's position or character; self-respect; self- esteem.
May I give you a suggestion in standing? Do not become self-righteous in praying and fighting for your marriage as the enemy may try to have you develop a spirit of pride in your heart of what you are doing. Instead, thank the Lord that He has chosen you to fight the enemy who has deceived and tempted your spouse to believe lies from the enemy and fallen into the trap of the sins of the world.
Pride can be disguised in many ways by ambition, being self-centered, feeling superior, self-righteousness, being rude, arrogant, having an evil heart or having worldly power. Pride can harden your heart, your mind, cause spiritual problems, block your prayers and relationship with the Lord, having you deceived, cause you to reject God's Word, and can lead many people to ruin or self-destruction. I understand that may sound like your beloved spouse at this moment. Now you understand how pride can cause a hardened heart.
In both the Old and New Testaments,pride is used in the negative sense. Pride motivated Satan to rebel against God, and be cast down to the earth. Then Satan seduced Adam and Eve into disobedience. You need to pray against pride or a proud heart for yourself, for your husband or wife and all your loved ones.
To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Proverbs 8:13
Ask the Lord if you are self-righteous. Let me share a parable that Jesus told:
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men - robbers, evildoers, adulterers - or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.†Luke 18:9-14
Why does your spouse not come home? I believe one major reason is the spirit of pride. It would mean that they would have to admit they have made a huge mistake and sinned against God. Pride will not allow people to admit their weaknesses and reach out for help or counseling. Your spouse will sooner or later have to acknowledge their errors or mistakes in thinking or things they have said to other people when they were blinded. The antidote to pride is humility. Let us pray that all spouses will humble themselves before God, then their spouse, family and friends. Unfortunately, some people who have pride are humbled through circumstances or by tragedy. When God gets their attention, He will offer them mercy and grace. Humility is not weakness, but is “submitting to God.â€
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2
Pride is a sin that can destroy so many people who you love so much. Pray that the Lord will remove the spirit of pride that has your spouse deceived. Most prodigals do not have enough courage, spiritual growth or wisdom to admit their errors, repent, rebuild, restore and reconcile all the relationships that they have destroyed and start the process of marriage restoration. Pride lures people to live independently of God. People with pride often leave God and other people out of their lives. In the world's eyes, these people appear to be successful, but what are they in God's eyes? Every prodigal spouse needs humility so that they will know they cannot be truly successful without having Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of their life.
He mocks proud mockers, but gives grace to the humble. Proverbs 3:34
This is why your prayers are so important. This is where the power of the Holy Spirit comes in, touching and changing your spouse's heart and life. God can speak to them in a thousand different ways. Never doubt God's mighty power in speaking to your husband or wife. (Read Job Chapter 33:12-end) This is a scripture that I love to pray and personalize. You should try it.
As a stander, have you become angry, filled with bitterness, resentment and pride, blaming your spouse for destroying their family and their marriage? You need to ask the Lord, examine your heart and admit that both you and your spouse had a part in destroying your marriage relationship. I was blinded and deceived by the enemy and blamed Bob for everything until the Lord touched me and showed me my own failures in our marriage.
Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Proverbs 13:10
The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. Proverbs 16:5
May your prayer today be that you will humble yourself and repent of any pride that is in your own heart for any reason. Your pride could originate from: where you work, your title or position at work or at church, where you live, the car that you drive, the salary that you make or friends or people that you know. Does this list cause you to say, Ouch? Seek the Lord and ask Him to examine your heart and reveal any pride that is in your heart, so that there will not be any sin that is hindering your walk, or prayers with your Lord and blocking marriage restoration. Never doubt the power of the Lord when we are faithful in praying without ceasing. Suddenly, your husband or wife will become like the prodigal son and “come to their senses,†crying with repentance to God and then to you. Another key in your prayers is to pray that your spouse will have godly sorrow that brings repentance, leads to salvation and leaves no regret. (2 Corinthians 7:10)
“He prays to God and finds favor with him, he see God's face and shouts for joy; he is restored by God to his righteous state. Then he comes to men and says, ‘I sinned, and perverted what was right, but I did not get what I deserved.'†Job 33:26-27
Will you pray the scripture above with your spouse's name in it? God can set everyone free from the spirit of pride. What a glorious day that will be when you see the fruits and the manifestation of this scripture in your marriage. Angels will be shouting and singing in Heaven as your husband or wife, another sinner, has repented and come home! (Luke 15:7)
Have a blessed day,
Charlyne Steinkamp
Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18
Do you know of someone who has pride? You may be thinking of your spouse or someone who is very successful, but I am asking you to search your own heart today. Ask the Lord to reveal to you if you have any pride in your heart that you may not even be aware of during this difficult time in your life and marriage.
What is the meaning of pride? The Nelson's Three-In-One Bible Reference Companion says: a conceited sense of one's superiority. In The American College Dictionary the meaning of pride reads: high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing conduct, etc.; the state or feeling of being proud; becoming or dignified sense of what is due to oneself or one's position or character; self-respect; self- esteem.
May I give you a suggestion in standing? Do not become self-righteous in praying and fighting for your marriage as the enemy may try to have you develop a spirit of pride in your heart of what you are doing. Instead, thank the Lord that He has chosen you to fight the enemy who has deceived and tempted your spouse to believe lies from the enemy and fallen into the trap of the sins of the world.
Pride can be disguised in many ways by ambition, being self-centered, feeling superior, self-righteousness, being rude, arrogant, having an evil heart or having worldly power. Pride can harden your heart, your mind, cause spiritual problems, block your prayers and relationship with the Lord, having you deceived, cause you to reject God's Word, and can lead many people to ruin or self-destruction. I understand that may sound like your beloved spouse at this moment. Now you understand how pride can cause a hardened heart.
In both the Old and New Testaments,pride is used in the negative sense. Pride motivated Satan to rebel against God, and be cast down to the earth. Then Satan seduced Adam and Eve into disobedience. You need to pray against pride or a proud heart for yourself, for your husband or wife and all your loved ones.
To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Proverbs 8:13
Ask the Lord if you are self-righteous. Let me share a parable that Jesus told:
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men - robbers, evildoers, adulterers - or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.†Luke 18:9-14
Why does your spouse not come home? I believe one major reason is the spirit of pride. It would mean that they would have to admit they have made a huge mistake and sinned against God. Pride will not allow people to admit their weaknesses and reach out for help or counseling. Your spouse will sooner or later have to acknowledge their errors or mistakes in thinking or things they have said to other people when they were blinded. The antidote to pride is humility. Let us pray that all spouses will humble themselves before God, then their spouse, family and friends. Unfortunately, some people who have pride are humbled through circumstances or by tragedy. When God gets their attention, He will offer them mercy and grace. Humility is not weakness, but is “submitting to God.â€
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2
Pride is a sin that can destroy so many people who you love so much. Pray that the Lord will remove the spirit of pride that has your spouse deceived. Most prodigals do not have enough courage, spiritual growth or wisdom to admit their errors, repent, rebuild, restore and reconcile all the relationships that they have destroyed and start the process of marriage restoration. Pride lures people to live independently of God. People with pride often leave God and other people out of their lives. In the world's eyes, these people appear to be successful, but what are they in God's eyes? Every prodigal spouse needs humility so that they will know they cannot be truly successful without having Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of their life.
He mocks proud mockers, but gives grace to the humble. Proverbs 3:34
This is why your prayers are so important. This is where the power of the Holy Spirit comes in, touching and changing your spouse's heart and life. God can speak to them in a thousand different ways. Never doubt God's mighty power in speaking to your husband or wife. (Read Job Chapter 33:12-end) This is a scripture that I love to pray and personalize. You should try it.
As a stander, have you become angry, filled with bitterness, resentment and pride, blaming your spouse for destroying their family and their marriage? You need to ask the Lord, examine your heart and admit that both you and your spouse had a part in destroying your marriage relationship. I was blinded and deceived by the enemy and blamed Bob for everything until the Lord touched me and showed me my own failures in our marriage.
Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Proverbs 13:10
The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. Proverbs 16:5
May your prayer today be that you will humble yourself and repent of any pride that is in your own heart for any reason. Your pride could originate from: where you work, your title or position at work or at church, where you live, the car that you drive, the salary that you make or friends or people that you know. Does this list cause you to say, Ouch? Seek the Lord and ask Him to examine your heart and reveal any pride that is in your heart, so that there will not be any sin that is hindering your walk, or prayers with your Lord and blocking marriage restoration. Never doubt the power of the Lord when we are faithful in praying without ceasing. Suddenly, your husband or wife will become like the prodigal son and “come to their senses,†crying with repentance to God and then to you. Another key in your prayers is to pray that your spouse will have godly sorrow that brings repentance, leads to salvation and leaves no regret. (2 Corinthians 7:10)
“He prays to God and finds favor with him, he see God's face and shouts for joy; he is restored by God to his righteous state. Then he comes to men and says, ‘I sinned, and perverted what was right, but I did not get what I deserved.'†Job 33:26-27
Will you pray the scripture above with your spouse's name in it? God can set everyone free from the spirit of pride. What a glorious day that will be when you see the fruits and the manifestation of this scripture in your marriage. Angels will be shouting and singing in Heaven as your husband or wife, another sinner, has repented and come home! (Luke 15:7)
Have a blessed day,
Charlyne Steinkamp
Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.
