2 Chronicles 26:14-15 – “Then Uzziah prepared for them, for the entire army, shields, spears, helmets, body armor, bows, and slings to cast stones.”

Uzziah became King of Judah at a very young age. He was only 16 when he became King and reigned 52 years in Jerusalem. One of the defining characteristics of his life was that he “did that which was right in the sight of the Lord” (verse 4).

His kingdom was blessed and grew. He prospered, and was marvelously helped, til he was something, and was lifted up in pride.

King David’s son with Bathsheba in 2 Samuel Chapter 11 began when in Chapter 8 verse 13, the Bible says “And David gat him a name” and at the time he should have gone forth to battle, his pride left him vulnerable to temptation.

King Saul disobeyed the command of God and was rejected as King because of pride. The prophet Samuel reminded him that when he was “little in thine own sight,” (I Samuel 15:17) God lifted him up, blessed him and made him king.

Pride is the very thing that got Lucifer cast out of Heaven. Proverbs 16:18 states “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Pride is dangerous and destructive, pride stops growth and learning. Pride hinders honest communication. Pride affects our ability to judge rightly and make the best choices. Pride renders us ineffective as servants in the Kingdom of God. Pride destroys relationships. Proverbs 13:10 says “only by pride cometh contention.”

We cannot accomplish what we have been purposed by God so long as pride, arrogance, and ego are present in our spirit and heart.

The only way to avoid the destructive devastation of pride is to lay our desire and emotion aside and choose humility. James 4:6 says “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” Verse 10 says “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

When we find ourselves unwilling to change, to learn and to grow; when our feelings become hurt because we did not get our way, or when relationships and communication suffer, we must examine ourselves to see if we are being stubborn and prideful.

Be willing to admit it and humble ourselves. Choose humility.