Our wisdom for today is Proverbs 16:5.
“Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.”
There are two parts to this wisdom: First, “Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the Lord.” Second, “He will not go unpunished.”
We all have a bit of pride. I’m proud of my family. I’m proud of my friends. This is not the “proud of heart” that our text is condemning.
The pride in this verse is not a small offense. This pride is excessive self-esteem that leads to arrogance and disdain for others. Pride causes murder, slander, theft, and a host of other sins. Hitler was proud. Mussolini was proud. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was proud. This is recorded in the book of Daniel. “The king exclaimed, ‘Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?'”
The proud of heart says, “I did everything. I am great.”
Mere humans can also have this kind of pride. The evil man who betrays his family is proud. Men or women who become “proud in the heart” are not good people. They are not righteous before God.
The antidote to being proud of heart is to trust and lean on God. Nebuchadnezzar was punished for his pride, but restored when he “looked up to heaven…and honored and glorified Him who lives forever.” Daniel 4:34.
I’m Lonnie Davis
And these are thoughts worth thinking.