our daily bread

[Dexu Xia]

The Problem with Pride

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

People who achieve an extraordinary level of fame or reputation while they are still alive are often called “a legend in their own time.” A friend who played professional baseball says he met many people in the world of sports who were only “a legend in their own mind.” Pride has a way of distorting how we see ourselves while humility offers a realistic perspective.

The writer of Proverbs said, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (16:18). Viewing ourselves in the mirror of self-importance reflects a distorted image. Self-elevation positions us for a fall.

The antidote to the poison of arrogance is true humility that comes from God. “Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud” (v. 19).

Jesus told His disciples, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:26–28).

There is nothing wrong with receiving accolades for achievement and success. The challenge is to stay focused on the One who calls us to follow Him saying, “for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (11:29).

Lord Jesus, give us Your humility as we interact with others today. May we honor You in all we do and say.

True humility comes from God

骄傲

骄傲在败坏以先；狂心在跌倒之前。-箴言16章18节

人们常用“当代传奇人物”，形容那些在有生之年功成名就、扬名立万的人。一位打职业棒球的朋友说，他曾见过许多体育界的好手，最后仅成为“当代高傲人物”。骄傲往往会让我们高举自己，而谦卑则让我们更真实地认识自己。

箴言的作者说：“骄傲在败坏以先；狂心在跌倒之前”（16章18节）。若用自我标榜的镜子看自己，只会看到一张扭曲的形象。高举自己，只是让自己摔得更重。

从上帝而来的谦卑，是对付骄傲自大的最佳良方。“心里谦卑与穷乏人来往，强如将掳物与骄傲人同分”（19节）。

耶稣告诉门徒：“你们中间谁愿为大，就必作你们的用人；谁愿为首，就必作你们的仆人。正如人子来，不是要受人的服事，乃是要服事人，并且要舍命，作多人的赎价。”（马太福音20章26-28节）

当成功或有成就的时候，接受赞美和表扬并没有错。但真正的挑战是，我们能否继续专一跟随那位呼召我们的主，效法祂那样心里柔和谦卑（11章29节）。

亲爱的主耶稣，当我们和他人互动的时候，求祢将祢的谦卑赐给我们，让我们的一言一行能荣耀祢的名。

真实的谦卑从上帝而来！