When Pride Is On The Rise

My Utmost For His Highest

 

‘Him shall He teach in the way He chooses” (Psalm 25:12). At first, we want the awareness of being guided by God. But then as we grow spiritually, we live so fully aware of God that we do not even need to ask what His will is, because the thought of choosing another way will never occur to us. If we are saved and sanctified, God guides us by our everyday choices. And if we are about to choose what He does not want, He will give us a sense of doubt or restraint, which we must heed. Whenever there is doubt, stop at once. Never try to reason it out, saying, “I wonder why I shouldn’t do this?” God instructs us in what we choose; that is, He actually guides our common sense. And when we yield to His teachings and guidance, we no longer hinder His Spirit by continually asking, “Now, Lord, what is Your will?”’ CHAMBERS

 

It is so natural for us .. to go our own way … Jesus used the example of a shepherd.  Have you noticed that the shepherd keeps the sheep moving in the direction He wants them to go.  He doesn’t just watch as they wander all over the road, but he keeps them on the path that will take them to the place he intends.  The Bible says all we like sheep have gone astray, everyone to their own way.  (Isaiah 53:6) An old hymn, ‘Come Thou Fount’ says, “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the One I love.” And if we choose to leave the path, to do things our own way …. James 4:17  ‘Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.’

 

One of the most difficult things to teach, I think, is trust. Meaning that when God, or even a mom or dad, says something …. the child instinctively obeys it because they know the one telling them to do whatever, knows what is best.  Unfortunately, there comes a time when we begin to think we know what’s best .. even though we don’t really.  It is pride rising.  We do it to each other and we do it to God.  We ‘buck up” and think “What do they know, they just don’t understand.  I will do it my way.”  If you could step out of yourself and look at the situation without your lust for your own way fogging your mind, you would see how insane your reasoning is. God is the God of the universe .. the One who formed you .. and He doesn’t know what is best for you?  Isaiah 30:21  ‘Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.’  In your heart you know what is right .. listen and follow … and you will be blessed.

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)