Update: the winner from this week’s giveaway is Linda Neely! Thanks to everyone for leaving such great comments. I appreciate you all!
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This week I’m thrilled to have my good friend, Maria Morgan, join us on the blog.
Maria is sharing some fresh insights on an ancient topic that is still very relevant today. It’s a topic that never goes out of style and has a way of popping up in our lives when we least expect it.
guest post by Maria Morgan
How does it happen? One day I am consciously aware of God at work in and through my life – and praising Him for it. The next day I’m questioning God’s plan and doing things my own way. There’s a wrestling match taking place in my life; will pride or humility be the victor? (click to tweet).
This battle with pride is nothing new. Way back in the Garden of Eden, Satan tempted Eve to doubt God’s goodness.
“Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” (Genesis 3:1b, KJV).
A tricky question
The crafty question gave Eve pause to consider. Maybe God was withholding something from her and Adam that would be good for them. It was true; God had given them permission to eat the fruit of any of the other trees in the garden, but why was the tree of knowledge of good and evil off limits?
With the bait set, Satan slowly reeled her in, assuring Eve that what God said was not true. God merely didn’t want her and her husband to be “as gods, knowing good and evil.” (Gen. 3:5) As Eve considered Satan’s statement, she gazed at the fruit. It was beautiful and appeared to be ripe and delicious. Without getting her husband’s input, Eve made her choice – plucked the fruit and offered some to Adam.
Adam and Eve chose to do things their own way. They rebelled against God. Their actions confirmed they thought they knew better than their Creator.
A choice
Before we’re too hard on Adam and Eve, don’t we do the same thing? We know God has a good plan, and we pray for direction. Time goes by as we wait for an answer. We begin questioning God, wondering if He heard our prayers. Instead of continuing to seek Him and wait patiently, we come up with our own solution and decide to put it into practice.
Sometimes the matter of concern seems small. No need to bother God, we can handle it ourselves. We forget the wisdom of Scripture,
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths,” (Proverbs 3:5-6, KJV).
Who is on the throne?
In either case, we’re falling into the cleverly disguised trap of the enemy. Satan wants us to rebel against God – desiring for ourselves the throne reserved for God alone (click to tweet). It’s exactly what our enemy did:
“For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” (Isaiah 14:13-14, KJV)
Satan rebelled against God, desiring to be the one in authority. Sadly, we do the same thing when we choose to act in pride rather than humility. Before making decisions today, submit to God’s will and renew your mind with right thinking according to His Word.
It’s Your Turn:
Do you struggle with pride? What step will you take today to walk in humility?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for reminding me that there is a very real battle going on in my life between pride and humility. Help me fortify myself with Your Truth so I can stand against the enemy’s schemes. Today I submit to Your will knowing that You must increase and I must decrease. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Maria just released her second children’s book, Louie & the Leaf Pile and has generously offered to give away a copy to one of you this week – thanks Maria!
To enter the drawing simply leave a comment {below} in response to one of her questions above.
Louie & the Leaf Pile would make a great birthday or Christmas gift! If you’d like to order a copy for someone special, click here.
Maria I. Morgan is an inspirational writer and speaker. She is the award-winning author of Louie’s BIG day! Her newest release, Louie & the Leaf Pile, shares the truth about pride in a child-friendly way. Regardless of the age of her audience, her goal is the same: to share God’s truth and make an eternal difference. She lives in the muggy South with her husband, two retrievers, and two Maine coon kitties ~ the perfect mix to fuel her creativity for years to come!
Photo credit: dnlspnk / Foter / CC BY-NC
Carly Trahan says
Just what I needed to hear! I have ALWAYS wanted my way instead of seeking the Lord and waiting on Him. I have now submitted my life and my will to Him! It hit me hard when you said “Without getting her husbands input, Eve made her choice.” This has caused strife in my marriage and my husband has divorced me due to this sin. I am allowing God to change me and praying for restoration in our marriage, in Jesus’ name, Amen!
Faith says
Wow, thank you for writing the inspiring articles for your blog! Today is my first reading of your written work and I sense the Lord doing great work through your outreach plus those individuals you may feature in your writings. Some of the comments at the end have helped me on my own spiritual journey with Christ.
May each person on this blog and the readers find many things to be thankful for as we approached the month of November starting tomorrow. I am grateful to have been blessed with another day of life, for my family, friends, and even my enemies, who in their own way help me to grow to be a better person made by God.
Leah says
Faith, thank you for the encouraging comments and for reminding us all to be grateful for God’s abundant blessings in our lives.
Linda N says
I can relate to Kathy’s comment above. I am very self-conscious and feel plain & dull. I keep thinking if I was more of this or more of that, I’d have the confidence to step out and share my faith with others. I know in my head that it’s the enemy keeping me beaten down so I won’t shine for God, but feeling it is a bit harder. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of the book Louis & the Leaf Pile.
Pam Osborne says
Leah, I knew your name was familiar. I read your story in Traci Miles’ book. Both are very inspiring. For me, pride seems to be a precursor to other sins. It is usually followed by unforgiveness, arrogance, etc., etc. I have found that being in community with other believers and risking transparency of the heart goes along way in illuminating this area of struggle.
Leah says
I totally agree, Pam. Being in community with other believers and opening up to transparency creates a space of true fellowship and healing in those areas that the enemy wants to keep us isolated and silent. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. 🙂
Maria I. Morgan says
Thank you so much for the privilege to share on your beautiful blog today, Leah! Praying for God’s blessings on you, your ministry, and your readers. May He be glorified!
Leah says
Marie, it’s a joy to have you on the blog this week. Congratulations on the release of your new children’s book!
Kathy says
My struggle is questioning if God made a mistake in the way he made me. I see my weakness and then draw back from encouraging people and tell God if He would have made me stronger then I could serve, but I am not good enough. Yes this is a lie from satan. God said my strength is made perfect in weakness.
Leah says
Kathy, you are more than enough in Christ Jesus. The enemy knows that and it’s why he tries to deceive and speak lies. Continue to hold up your Shield of Faith and serve (even if you don’t feel like it). God will give the strength you need to accomplish the divine assignments He gives you as you trust in Him. 🙂
Sarah Travis says
One of my biggest pride struggles is feeling like I should be able to do it all. Somewhere alone the way I began to believe that asking for help was like admitting failure. The Lord has been working through this with me and I am not afraid to ask now but still have that battle in my mind at times.
Leah says
Sarah, think about Jesus when He was in the Garden of Gethsemane (the night He was betrayed). Jesus asked Peter, James and John for help. Jesus asked them to stay away and keep watch while He went and prayed to the Father. We know Jesus is not a failure and if He can ask for help, so can we.