Can You Be Proud And Not Know You Are?

Can You Be Proud And Not Know You Are?
YES! Peter was. He thought he knew himself, and what he would do -- but he did not.
MATTHEW 26:31-35 NKJ
31 Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: `I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'
32 "But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee."
33 Peter answered and said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble."
34 Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."
35 Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" And so said all the disciples.
Peter was trusting in his own ability and resolve. He argued with Jesus! He had self-confidence and was sure he would not deny Jesus -- but he did!
If we do not realize we are weak in ourselves, we have a problem with pride! You are weak in the flesh. When you trust in yourself and your thinking -- you will eventually fail.
MATTHEW 26:41 NKJ
41 "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Jesus gave a vital key, in verse 41: because the flesh is weak, we should pray and be on our guard.
MATTHEW 26:75 NKJ
75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." Then he went out and wept bitterly.
Bitter weeping is normal for someone whose pride has just been broken. Peter was not weeping over Jesus' suffering -- but his own suffering. Peter was suffering the pain of failure. He realized he was wrong in what he did, and in what he thought about himself. Facing the reality that you are not as good, and as great, as you thought you were, is painful!
PHILIPPIANS 3:3 NKJ
3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,
Having confidence in the flesh -- even world championship flesh -- is dangerous.
God desires the best for us -- that is why He does not want us to trust in something that will fail us -- ourselves.
You must trust in God and His Word. Guard against slipping into trusting your knowledge and ability. To prevent falling, maintaining the habit of continual prayer is necessary. You must pray about everything -- always looking to God for His guidance and being alert. And, you must believe and act on God's Word instead of your own thinking.
What do you pride yourself on? Watch out! Even if they are good things -- do not let them be idols that are more important to you than doing God's will.
Walk in humility with God. He knows everything! Pray and read the Bible. Walk closely with God, seek His guidance always, and obey Him.
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