Do you want to experience destruction? 

Do you want to experience destruction in your family, among your friends, at work, at school, or with your reputation or soul?

If the answer is no, we need to heed Proverbs 16:18: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Let’s be clear. If we want to avoid destruction, we need to avoid pride. According to Joel Beeke and Michael Reeves, “Pride seeks to dethrone God and enthrone self.”*

Not good.

A biblical example of pride is Haman. He was angry that Mordechai wouldn’t bow to him; he rehearsed the splendour of his riches and many promotions in front of others; and assumed that no one else could be honoured more than himself (Esther 5:9 – 6:6).

Here’s the awkward truth. There is a little bit of Haman in all of us. Pride is something we need to continually battle against.

Here are two helpful questions for us to ponder:

-Are there times when we love to be right more than what is actually right?
-Are there times when we put ourselves first when the will of God should be first?

Read those two questions again—and pray for humility as you go about your day.

Do you want to experience destruction? Me neither! Then flee from pride.

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

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Notes and extra content:

—“Pride goes before destruction – Esther, Part 3.” Sermon. Click here. February 25, 2024.

—*Joel R. Beeke and Michael Reeves, Following God Fully: An Introduction to the Puritans (Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2022), 19.

—Bible quotes are from the NIV.