Have you ever heard of Proverbs 16:18? This is how it reads in the Message version, “First pride, then the crash—the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.” Yikes! Ok before I get into how pride almost got me I want to unpack this verse, real quick. Pretty plainly, the more highly we think of ourselves, the bigger our ego gets and we can’t see ourselves falling/stumbling so inevitably we fall. We see this in action with Satan, Adam and Eve, Nebuchadnezzar, etc. in the Bible. The ramifications of their pride resulted in a fall from heaven, a fall from the garden, and loss of a kingdom. What’s important to note is the destruction that follows pride is not always evident immediately. Consequences for pride can happen now or in the afterlife…we just don’t know, but what we do know is that His Word is true. So whether in this life or the after, if we live lives filled with pride there will be destruction. Ok so now on to me…
I’m a nerd…so what! 🙂
I’m a nerd. LOL I love school and if I could be a professional student, trust me I would be. But I love school so much I decided to get my MA in theological studies a few years ago. (Please note I’m saying this for the sake of the blog, not to bragJ) So here I am in 2019 with a MA in theology and now I’m officially a licensed minister. *Woot Woot* After my licensing, I sat down with my bishop and we had a great conversation. Here’s the gist of the conversation:
Me: So what’s next in terms of training?
Him: Well the Harvest Time study is a good self-study, you should start with that
Me: Ok sounds good
Proverbs 16:18 First pride, then the crash; the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.
THE MESSAGE VERSION
*in my mind*: harvest time why the HECK would I do harvest time studies when I have a Master’s Degree in theology?????
I left the meeting murmuring and complaining, because I’ve surpassed that level of education already. Needless to say, the people I complained to agreed and suggested I talk to him about it because the reality is I have a Masters why would I seek education at a lower level? Makes sense right?!
A few days go by and I’m doing my normal prayer, praise and worship thing and I just fall into a deep worship session where I’m crying out to the Lord saying, “I’m willing to do whatever it takes to see your glory manifested in the earth, like whatever it takes” and sooooooo subtly the Lord began to deal with me and this harvest time study situation. Basically, He was asking me are you too good to study my Word, if you say you want to study the Word of God what does it matter that it’s an associate’s degree…and I just started crying more and more and more and more. Then, I realized it was my pride that was hindering me from receiving the instructions from my bishop. Pure, ugly, pride.
Pride is a dangerous BEAST!
Pride said, “What you mean you want me to study something at the associate’s level when I have a master’s degree”; guess what GOD DOES NOT CARE ABOUT MY DEGREES! He cares about me studying His Word so that I can continue to grow, who cares if it’s an associate’s or non-associate’s program that’s been suggested for me, if I really just care about learning and growing in the Word, it shouldn’t matter. I said all that to say pride really almost got me.
Pride is a dangerous BEAST and had I allowed myself to continue in that mindset a fall or destruction of some sort was going to follow! Do NOT let your pride get in the way of your growth. Always remember, pride comes before the fall and God DETESTS the prideful. My worship experience made space for God to deal with me and my heart. I’m so grateful that I serve a God who always provides a way of escape from self-destruction. Thank you Jesus!!!
I hope this encouraged you in some way shape or form if you ever need to talk or need a sounding board just hit me up. J
Be blessed,
Tiff B.
PS:
I started the study about a month or so ago and it’s sooooooo good. You can get the lessons for free when you subscribe to the blog!
