PRIDE
2 Chronicles 18

Hear and give ear: Do not be proud, for the LORD has spoken. (Jeremiah 13:15)
Pride is all that will cause man not to listen, and hear the word of deliverance that comes from God. To hear and give an ear is to listen and hear when the Lord is speaking. Many at times there is the possibility to hear from a distance, or from close by, and not pick up from the conversation because of not giving an ear. It is the same as hearing and not listening. Without listening, no matter how loud communication can be, nothing passes through beyond just hearing. Jesus once addressed the disciples about the issue of hearing, and not gaining understanding in John 8:43, “Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.”  Pride is what makes a man not to hear and give an ear. Pride is a silent killer that will make you to think you are right, when you are wrong. Pride is an act of not giving glory to God, when He speaks through His messenger. A failure not to give glory is what brings about darkness that causes man to stumble. Pride is self-destructive. It is the highway of traveling away from God. Pride is of the devil and it breeds hatred, anger, deception, lies, and manipulation of others. Can any of the mentioned traits be identified in you? Ahab, King of Israel, had pride and demonstrated hatred and deception (disguising). Once, Ahab persuaded King Jehoshaphat to go to war against Ramoth Gilead. Jehoshaphat requested for a confirmation of word from God after some prophetic backing to go to the war. Ahab responded, “There is still one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD; but I hate him, because he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil. He is Micaiah the son of Imla.” And Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say such things!” (2 Chronicles 18:7) Ahab confessed hate against the prophet of God that eventually asked the two kings not to go to the battle. As they prepared to go to battle against the word of the prophet of God, “…The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle; but you put on your robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle. (2 Chronicles 18:29) Hatred, disguising, was evidently the identity of the proud King Ahab, and he did not return from the battle alive. Disguising the truth is dressing up for disaster. King Ahab paid the price of deception with his life. Is there any trait of pride in you? It is time to take it to the Lord in prayer, because determination will not deliver, but His intervention will deliver.
Prayer for today: Father, I ask for Your divine intervention that will terminate every trace of pride in my life.