Reading:  Ezekiel 28-31
Posted: September 12, 2014

Hubris.   Websters dictionary defines it as "a foolish amount of pride or confidence".   This is what the king of Tyre is guilty of.   But he is not the first.  In fact, if you read closely, you will be reminded of the fall of Lucifer from heaven.  It was hubris that caused the fall.  Hubris was behind the introduction of evil into the human race.  Hubris is very dangerous indeed.

It seems to be part of the human condition to become more confident in our own strength than we should.   Therefore, it is the constant task of every christian to make sure we remain humble.

How? you say.   Well, I recommend thanking God daily for everything that HE has provided.   That helps train our mind to remember that we didn't get here by ourselves, or in our own strength.   God has provided.  James says "Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of the heavenly lights".   Elsewhere is says "ask, and you will receive".   God is the provider, and when we spend some time thanking Him, we avoid false pride.      Also, it doesn't hurt to pray to remain humble.   Admitting to God on a regular basis that you cannot succeed without Him is a great prayer.   Confessing our weaknesses helps keep us humble as well.   Having an accountability partner, or a close friend that knows some of our weaknesses, and will gently remind us of them also helps keep us humble.

The king of Tyre, and the pharaoh of Egypt both became so proud that they assumed themselves gods.   It has been said that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.   These men were corrupt, and even more than that they were delusional.   They had enough success and public favor to believe they were invincible.  God emphatically says to them (and to us, if we need it)  "you need a reminder of who is really in charge".

If you think you are in control, prepare for God to take away control, so you can learn you are not in control.   If you think you have power, prepare to become powerless, to learn that you don't have power.    All these things belong to God, and he is jealous in receiving credit for them.  

The lesson we learn today is to avoid hubris, and do so by spending time in prayer.

PR