Beware of congratulations. In my junk-mail box I get dozens of those messages and always with a hook. Congratulations – apply for…, congratulations – you have won a subscription that will only cost…, congratulations – you are a sucker…, and on it goes. These are not really compliments and I have finally learned to read no further. So the question I’m considering is what other hooks do we fall for in our quest for adulation? In scripture, pride is always the enemy of faith. Prov 11:2: “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom”. Prov 16:5: “The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished”. Prov 16:18: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall”. James 4:6: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble”. Others for your study are: Prov 6:16-17a, I Tim 3:6, Prov 8:13, Mark 7:21-23, and Prov 13:10.
We are shallow and insecure. “Cute outfit, great job, good energy, fantastic results…”. God knows this about us because he knows everything. He provides ways of escape for our folly. We need to read the right messages and hear the truth. The enemy provides many liars to lead us into pride. There is a person who will smile at you today but their plans are evil. Discern. Not everything is about me. I’m just at the center and create a whirlwind of misery with the goal of making my life more than it is. It is enough to trust God for my purpose and future. He is awesome – I am awesome by association!
