Matthew 23:12

“And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

We know that pride goes before a fall and that God resists the proud, yet we are still so proud. The problem is not the lack of but the inability to do what we know is right. One of the most dangerous things a man can do is to exalt himself. Self-exaltation is one of the fastest ways to lose the presence of God, and once His presence goes, we are vulnerable to every assault of Satan. And that’s Satan’s genius stroke. By making us feel we need to exalt ourselves and once we actually go ahead and exalt ourselves, he knows we will lose our spiritual cover and become easy prey to him.

Put on the garment of humility. Come down in your heart and wear the garment of simplicity and humility. You may look foolish today, but God will draw near to you and make His abode with you. Don’t struggle with the need for self-importance because with Christ living in you, and you already have all you need. I know I am exalted in the eyes of God when I live in humility, and I must vehemently determine never to permit the nature of Self to gain a foothold in me. Self is the source of pride, and the Cross is the solution to the pride of Self. I choose to die daily that I may be exalted in Christ.

“Through the pain of death, Lord help me endure knowing that there’s an exaltation that comes after the work of the cross is complete in me. In Jesus name. Amen.”