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It has been rightly said that pride is the opposite of humility. As our teachers have often said; we sometimes have to recognize error before the truth can come to light. One of my teachers has rightly expressed the meaning of pride, as the lie that we can live independent of God. That's my paraphrase and not a direct quote. When one understands that they are made as a part of creation (e.g. birds, animals, plants, fishes), then a major part of the fog of the lie of pride begins to clear. Another of my teachers showed me quite vividly as we listened to a person's talking once. Afterward, he pointed out just how many times the person used the word "I" (capital i) in their discourse with us. I put that together with the gospel statement by Christ that out of the heart the mouth speaks. I began to listen to my own words when I was speaking to someone. I don't have to tell you how shocked I was! I know there is a balance. For instance, when speaking of personal experience, then the word "I" is a necessity, but where I began to draw the line as to wisdom, was by noting as to how often I put myself into the direction of my future, rather than the promises of God. Just, how was I envisioning my tomorrows?
I looked back on my failures and realized that they were the plans that I thought were the best, when in fact, they had failed to bring the desired results. Remember that, we don't just want results as the world portrays them, but as the Word portrays them. I see a result from decisions made as profitable only when the peace, love, and joy of God accompanies the results. I remember that from James on the difference between the two wisdoms.
Pride does come before a fall. But, the promise is that a just man/woman falleth seven times, but gets back up again. Thank God for His mercy! Would it follow the logic proverb of the pride saying by saying this(?); Humility comes before grace. I believe that's in first or second Peter. Of course.
Now from that foundation, we can remember that we don't pull ourselves up by our own 'bootstraps', but rather be humble enough to recognize that we need Father, just as a plant needs water. He is our fountain of living waters.
