Heart Conditions: Proud Hearts

Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord.

Proverbs 16:5 (NKJV)

The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow;
Let Him be your fear,
And let Him be your dread.
He will be as a sanctuary,
But a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offense,
To both the houses of Israel,
As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
And many among them shall stumble;
They shall fall and be broken,
Be snared and taken.

Isaiah 8:13-15 (NKJV)

Whoever falls on this Stone will be broken; but on whomever It falls, It will grind him to powder.

Matthew 21:44 (NKJV)

Pride is a silent and deadly killer: an unseen spiritual heart attack that sneaks up on you with little warning. You're PROUD of yourself, and the world agrees. You live the high life… and then you fall down.

' 'Your fierceness has deceived you, the pride of your heart, O you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, who hold the height of the hill! Though you make your nest as high as the eagle, I will bring you down from there,' says the Lord' (Jeremiah 49:16).

God owns every height. God owns every rock. His Son is THE Rock. For meek hearts, He’s 'The Rock of salvation' (Psalm 95:1).

But for pride-filled hearts 'Lifted up to boast' (2 Chronicles 25:19), 'He is the Stone that makes people stumble, the Rock that makes them fall. They stumble because they do not obey God’s Word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them' (1 Peter 2:8).

God's Word tells us to keep a humble heart:

  • 'I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit' (Isaiah 57:15).

  • 'Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty Hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time' (1 Peter 5:6).

Because the high places belong to God. He wants you (and everyone) there with Him.

Even so, it’s invitation-only, and it’s offered to humble hearts ONLY. 'Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth' (Matthew 5:5).

Heart Conditions: Proud Hearts (Part 8)

NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

Carey Arban