Ego
"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." — Proverbs 16:18, ESV
I was having a conversation with my sister-in-love, and in the midst of it she said, “Ego stands for edging God out.” I thought, Wow! That took me all the way back to the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve bought into the lie Satan offered because they were focused on their own ego.
Scripture says: “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” — Genesis 3:5, ESV. Adam and Eve wanted to be like God, not realizing that they already came from Him and carried His likeness within them.
When we think of ego, it generally refers to an exaggerated sense of self-importance. If those thoughts are not kept in check, they can easily lead us to destruction.
Throughout Scripture, we see Jesus continually depending on the Father. He never acted on His own but always pointed us to the Father through Him:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.” — John 5:19
“…I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.” — John 8:28
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” — John 6:38, ESV
Scripture also teaches us that pride is something God does not tolerate. For example, Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses, and God called them out. After His correction, Miriam was struck with leprosy, white as snow. Though Moses immediately interceded for her, God made it clear that her prideful attitude would not be overlooked:
“If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be shamed seven days? Let her be shut outside the camp seven days, and after that she may be brought in again.” — Numbers 12:14, ESV
So Miriam was shut out of the camp for seven days, and the people did not continue their journey until she was brought back. Her prideful whispers against her brother became a public lesson for all of Israel.
The spirit of pride can only be overcome by consistently dwelling in God’s presence and seeking His face. Moses himself was a great example of this—Scripture says he was the most humble man on the face of the earth.
Prayer
Father, thank You for reminding us that we cannot control the spirit of pride on our own, for it only leads to destruction. We surrender to You completely, and we ask that as we walk daily with You, transformation will take place. Let the spirit of humility rise within us and crush every trace of pride. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19; Isaiah 55:11
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