This week we have been looking to have a good brain as we age. We want a brain that has good thoughts and functions well. This week we are fasting negative thoughts - fear, failure, disappointment, or trouble; any thought of criticism, or spite, or jealousy, or condemnation of others, or self-condemnation.
Today we are going to focus on fasting prideful, arrogant thoughts.
OUR MENTAL DIET – PRIDEFUL THOUGHTS: When the Bible speaks of “pride” it means arrogance, conceit and self-exaltation. It’s number one of the top seven things He hates. These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him - A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others]… Proverbs 6:16
Pride was the reason Satan fell from heaven (Isaiah 14:11-15). He desired to be God, not to be a servant of God. When Satan tempted Adam and Eve with in the Garden of Eden he tempted them with what caused his fall - “you can be as God”. Satan’s pride is now part of our human nature.
Pride can also quickly turn into “self-pity” if we become prideful in our misery and play the “victim”. We see how pride turns self-pity in 1 Kings 21:4 when King Ahab didn’t get what he wanted.
We see the characteristics of pride in the story of Moses and Pharoah. See Exodus Chapters 7 -10:
Pride is unreasonable because it thinks it’s always right. Ex 7:13
Pride doesn’t care about others or who it hurts because it only cares about itself. Ex 7:24
Pride doesn’t listen to others or consider their viewpoint. Ex 8:19
Pride won’t let you worship God because you think you are god and people should be worshiping you. Ex 8:32
Pride won’t let you serve God or others you must only serve your pride. Ex 8:20
Pride doesn’t even act in its own best interest. Ex 9:7
Everyone can see pride is a fool, except pride Ex 10:7
Pride won’t obey God and so for that reason, pride leads to death. Ex 11:5
And that is why God opposes it so vehemently!
Everyone proud and arrogant in heart is disgusting, hateful, and exceedingly offensive to the Lord; be assured [I pledge it] they will not go unpunished. Proverbs 16:5
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18
Haughtiness comes before disaster, but humility before honor. Proverbs 18:12
To combat prideful thoughts: 1) Be grateful to God. Realize everything you have comes from God. Submit yourself to Him and what He is doing in your life. When trials come to humble us (Proverbs 11:2), don’t turn to self-pity. Be grateful for what God has allowed. 2) Ask God for wisdom. Wisdom is humble. Wisdom fears God.
We have affirmation cards and a free download on Humility to help us develop that quality.