Everyone (including Christians) is prone to the temptation of pride.
Children of God must take extra caution not to fall into the pitfall.
Every child of God must cautiously make efforts not to fall for Satan’s trick of self-pride!
No doubt that Satan – the enemy of righteousness – would first attempt pride as an attack tool to make a successful Christian stumble into sin.
The enemy would tempt a Christian to be self-focus and/or be self-gratifying without the consciousness of glorifying God. (A practice considered detestable to God).
Instead of anyone becoming obsessive about his (or her) achievement, he should make efforts to divert due glory to God.
It is un-disputable fact to state that no one can successfully make anything happen without the help of God.
“…A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven” (John 3:27 KJV)
Christians to learn from Apostle Paul (in the bible); with the use of his personal experience, he analyzed how Satan can manipulate anyone into pride – through his personal achievements.
Paul stated,
“…And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
Concerning this thing, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me,
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).
Summary Lesson on Humility vs Pride
God created humanity to depend on him. He wants us to look up to him for our needed help.
God does not want us to be self-gratifying or be self-sufficient.
Satan will attempt to make anyone be obsessed with his achievements without the consciousness of glorifying God.
God wants us to gratify our success to him – Even if our personal efforts are involved.
To Be Reminded Of Christians’ Need To Take Caution
The flesh wants self-gratification. We must not allow it.
Satan wants us to choose the pathway of pride to trip and fall. We must not allow him.
God dislikes any gratification that voids the praise of his name. We must give God his due honor.
Christians must yield to the leadership of the Holy Spirit and refuse to satisfy the desires of self.
Don’t get confused about Pride
It is important to note there is nothing bad in taking pride in achievement if due honor is given to God.
Pride of achievement is only considered erratic when a person pretends he has earned his success without God’s help.
Never Forget!
God wants to take pride out of us to bless us more.
God wants to demonstrate to everyone around that he is the brain behind our success.
False teachers are out there. As it applies to all Christians, Apostle Paul warned Christians at Corinth to be careful of heresy (The teachings that lack bases in the word of God).
Paul explained,
“But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or ifyou receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!” (2 Corinthians 11:3-4).
Caution Against False Teachers and Teachings
Every child of God must be careful of false teachers.
Be careful not to be deceived with popular teaching that are contradictory to the bible.
(False teachings are our there. They have become rampant in our time).
Each believer is required to evaluate any teaching that he (or she) receives.
We must use bible to evaluate our teachers and their teachings.
Christians are not ordinary people. We are spiritual people endowed with God’s grace to do remarkable things for his glory.
Believers have special anointing to uproot the stronghold of the enemies and triumph in victory of the Lord.
It is proclaimed in the scripture,
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
Lesson on Faith that Overcomes
People who believe in the Jesus Christ are equipped with necessary tools to have victory always.
Truly, believers may not live problem-free lives, but we are powerful in God to triumph in all situations.
The Spirit of God that resides in us will earn us victory.
Also, the name of Jesus Christ is powerful enough towards earning believers victory in all situations.
The name of Jesus Christ is sufficient for victory at all times!
A battle of any kind – whether physical or spiritual – will fizzle out when a Christian mentions the name of Jesus Christ. Demons will bow, and victory will be won.
People who reserve their trust in Jesus Christ will walk tall and raise their heads. They will have victory and share their testimony to honor God.
Christians are made to overcome problems through faith in Jesus Christ!
Prayer to Have Faith that Overcomes
Praise God, I am a child of God. Praise God I am not an ordinary person, but a victor in God.
Since the Holy Spirit of God lives in me, I exercise my authority in faith over all situations:
In the name of Jesus Christ I command every stronghold of the enemy in my life to become demolished.
I bind and cast out every demon that may be associated with my problem.
I remove the root of sickness, poverty, failure, and any other through the authority in the name of Jesus Christ.
I replace problems with God’s blessings.
I declare my victory today through Jesus Christ, and I proclaim my triumph forever.
For in the name of Jesus Christ I made my declarations. Amen!
Titus was praised for having excellent Spirit and consistent heart towards God.
Paul praised him and said,
“But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord” (2 Corinthians 8:16-17 ESVUK).
Lesson on Consistent Services to God
God honors people that serve him with consistent mind. Jehovah will reward them with honor.
He will charge his angels to watch over them, so that they would not dash their feet against stone (Psalm 91:11).
The rewards of people who faithfully serve God are plenty.
God’s grace, goodness, and prosperity will be pronounced in every aspect of their lives. They shall always have upper hands over their enemies.
Prayer to be Consistent in God’s Services
Dear God, I ask you to please give me a heart that is sold out for your faithful services.
Help me to dedicate my life into serving you with a consistent mind, so that I can qualify to receive your reward of blessings on earth and in heaven.
Please do these things and many more for me. For in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Christians are the most fortunate set of people on earth, they are fortunate to enjoy salvation of Jesus Christ by grace. Meanwhile, God’s children that lived during Old Testament era longed to experience Messiah’s grace of salvation, but they were not so fortunate!
In fact, God’s glory that Moses witnessed on the mounts cannot be compared with Jesus’ glory that will materialize in the lives of Christians.
The scripture explained,
“But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory” (2 Corinthians 3:7-9).
Lesson on Privilege of Christian
Every Christian should congratulate him or herself for being a treasured child of God! We Christians are the most fortunate ones selected by God to partake in dimensionless grace of Jesus Christ.
We are saved by grace, we live by faith, and we will go to heaven to enjoy everlasting goodness of the Lord. In fact, Christians will be more honorable than angels when will get to heaven (1 Corinthians 6:3).
Nothing thrills more than the pleasurable opportunity that Christians will have to accompany Jesus wherever he goes when we get to heaven! Meanwhile, non-Christians (unbelievers) will have direct opposite experience. Since they deny Jesus, they cannot enjoy his grace.
The Savior will not consider them as one of his own; therefore, Satan will claim them and hurl them to his final destination – which is hell fire. Hence, it is important that all people confess their faith in Jesus Christ so that they can escape horror of hell but enjoy everlasting grace and joy of Jesus Christ in heaven.
Prayer of Affirmation
Dear God, I have heard that Christians will enjoy all good things, and non-Christians will have nothing good to enjoy on the last day. Therefore, I want to be a Christian also!
I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and he is the Savior of the world. He died and resurrected to save anyone who believes in him.
I confess Jesus Christ as Lord, and I accept him as my personal Savior. I confess my sins and forsake them. Please write my name in the book of life. I believe I am now saved by grace since I have confessed my faith in Jesus. I am now qualify to enjoy all God’s blessings from this earth to heaven! Glory to God for his saving grace through his Son Jesus Christ – MY LORD. Amen.
