Are you able to keep your pride & humility balanced? (154-1)

Sometimes the most God-honoring leadership skill is a closed mouth. Read Isaiah 39:1-8.

King Hezekiah of Judah had miraculously recovered from a life-threatening illness. The Babylonian King sent envoys with letters and a gift because he had heard of Hezekiah’s illness and recovery. The Babylonians were a budding world power and their constant challenge to the Assyrian Empire, Hezekiah’s arch enemy, pleased Hezekiah. In a moment of personal and national pride, Hezekiah decided to impress the Babylonian envoys, a potential military ally, and showed them the wealth and military arsenals of Judah. The prophet Isaiah was sent by God to rebuke Hezekiah because he couldn’t resist boasting about his success.

Proverbs 25:26tlb says, “Just as it is harmful to eat too much honey, so also it is bad for men to think about all the honors they deserve.” Proverbs 27:1-2tlb says, “Don’t brag about your plans for tomorrow – wait and see what happens. Don’t praise yourself; let others do it.” Proverbs 26:12tlb says, “There is one thing worse than a fool, and that is a man who is conceited.”

The Bible is clear that God hates pride and arrogance. Hezekiah’s prideful demonstration to the Babylonian envoys eventually cost the Jewish people their freedom. Leaders are held to a particularly high standard concerning an attitude of pride; they received their power and influence from God and arrogance or any demonstration of personal pride that draws attention to themselves is the same as stealing glory that belongs to God.

Has God blessed you with success that others are noticing? Does it lift your self-image to receive their praise? Are you beginning to believe a few of the press clippings about yourself? Wise Christian leaders pay attention to these internal emotions and attitudes, humble themselves before God and seek God’s wisdom on what to say concerning them self, when to speak and when to be quiet.