2 Corinthians 1:12 (NIV) – Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.

When I read this verse, I wonder how often I actually act this way. Our world encourages us to be proud of wisdom, and certainly the bible often tells us to seek wisdom. However here Paul is rejoicing that he didn’t rely on wisdom, but rather on the grace of God. I think this passage deserves a lot of attention. It’s easy for us to assume wisdom equals infallibility. Sure that statement sounds silly to say out loud, but how often do we treat wisdom as the best way to handle a situation? When we know we are wise, we are prone to become prideful of our wisdom. If you don’t believe me, look at King Solomon. He was the wisest man to ever live (excluding Jesus of course), and yet he made some decisions that pulled him away from God. That doesn’t seem very wise to us, and yet that very judgement we would cast on him is evidence of our own pride.

In 1 Peter 5 verse 5 it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” This is so important to remember in our daily lives. Perhaps the biggest trap we can fall into when following God is our pride. The better we feel we’re doing, the more pride wants to take hold in our hearts. This doesn’t mean we need to belittle ourselves, please understand. When we bash and mock ourselves, when we speak ill of ourselves, we are not honoring God. These things are insulting God’s creation. But neither should we be inflating our ego for good things we do. Our love and wisdom are two things we especially cannot allow pride to take root in. I believe that our selfish pride will undermine and ultimately destroy both our love and our wisdom if we allow it.

I write all this as a strong reminder to myself, and hopefully encouragement to those who read this. Let us not forget what Jesus sacrificed for us on that cross. Let us not forget where our wisdom comes from, and who gives us our capacity to love. I pray that we can celebrate these things and use them well, but never take credit for what is not of our making.

Would you pray this with me?
Father God, thank you for opening my eyes to my selfish pride. It comes in so many forms, at times it feels impossible to navigate life without it. But I know that through you, all things are possible. I know that your spirit enables me to grow in peace, love, and humility far beyond what I’d ever expect of myself. Please help me to continue to grow to be more like you. Fill me with your spirit to where there is no room for pride in my heart. Thank you lord for all you have done for me, and for all of us. In your name I pray, amen.