Pride |You Are Still Under Leadership|

Biblical Definition of Pride

Pride is self-respect or improper and excessive self-esteem known as conceit or arrogance. It can be defined as elevating one`s opinions and thoughts above God`s authoritative Word.

Let’s bring scripture into this.

God has given us clear examples of how He feels about those who believe they know better than Him. A powerful example is Saul in 1 Samuel 15.

Starting in verse 1, Saul is given a clear assignment: to destroy the Amalekites for what they did to Israel. It was a divine mission.

In verse 4, we see Saul starting off well. He understood the assignment, summoned his soldiers, and prepared to ambush the Amalekites. So far, so good. It seemed like he was obeying.

But then things changed.

He obeyed—only to a certain extent. Did he complete the mission? At first glance, it might seem so. But no—mission failed. Some may say he still ATTEMPTED to do it, and he did MOST of what God wanted him to do. The reality is he spared what he wanted and did not destroy EVERYTHING just as God had told him.. He spared what seemed good in his eyes. Saul basically said “God this makes more sense than what you had planned” This is pride and doing things halfway is not acceptable in His sight.

The Facts

God called Him to be King.

God chose him among many.

God chose him even though Saul saw himself as insignificant and unqualified.

Do we see a common denominator here?

GOD!

He ordained Saul to that position but Saul put the position over the one who put him there. How often does God give blessings, opportunities, or influence but we put the gift above the Giver. How often do we see ourselves as unworthy at first but when God assist us in certain tasks we say “I can do this on my own” and neglect Him? We, as His children, oftentimes have this mindset that we know more than Him and try to get certain tasks done without seeking Him first. Without Him giving us the blueprint, our foundation is faulty.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” —Psalm 127:1

He is not going to be willing to be the foundation of a mindset that is not in alignment with His will.

Be on Guard

When it comes to our adversary, Satan, there are times he may try to get us to operate in his will—making us think it is God’s will. Similar to what he did with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3), he knew that God had a plan for their lives, and all he needed was for them to be in opposition to His will.

The same thing Satan fell from—pride (Isaiah 14:12–15; Ezekiel 28:17)—is what he wanted Adam and Eve to fall from as well. All he needed was to get their focus off of what God had told them.

And when we fall by leaning on our own understanding, we often blame God by saying, “You didn’t warn me,” or “This is Your fault.” We blame God when the truth is, we went with what our hearts actually wanted.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?”—Jeremiah 17:9 (NKJV)

You are either serving Him or serving yourself—which is actually serving Satan (Romans 6:16).

A Servant

Don’t push God to remove you from a position that He has placed you in because of your gall to test Him.

You are still a servant. You may have a high calling, gifts that amaze many, teachings that draw crowds—but you are still a servant. Don’t think that The Most High can’t take the position—or you—away in the blink of an eye.

I’ve recognized that “He is long-suffering, but He is not foolish.” (Exodus 34:6–7; Galatians 6:7)

We often forget whose authority we are under for these positions, callings, gifts, and talents.

We have to continue to walk in submission to His will and not neglect the call.

“Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness…” —Ephesians 4:1–2

Still Under Leadership

Saul did what he wanted to do. I would say it was because of the position he was in—he forgot he was still under leadership. Yes, he was appointed king—but who appointed him?

Throughout the Word, we can see God building up His children by telling us who we are to Him.

• Yes, we are a royal priesthood — 1 Peter 2:9

• Yes, we are more than conquerors — Romans 8:37

• Yes, His thoughts toward us outnumber the grains of sand — Psalm 139:17–18

  
  

But we are still servants. Have confidence in who you are, but don’t let pride overcome the call—lest you be grafted out.

“Do not be arrogant, but tremble. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you either. —Romans 11:20–21

So...

When it comes to pride, you are self-serving, and you can reject Him with your actions, just as Saul did.

It didn’t take his mouth to actually deny God—just his actions.

He let his feelings interfere, and his own motives overtook the commandment of what God told him to do.

Let that not be us.

-The Servant Hearted