Good Morning,

I hope you had a good weekend of worship. I am praising God as we had a very good attendance, one man responded to the Lord and trusted Christ as His Savior, and I was challenged by the preaching of God's Word and encouraged by the godly music.  Couldn't ask for more!  I hope you enjoyed time worshipping in God's House.

Proverbs 13 continues the contrast between the wisdom of righteousness and that of the foolishness of sinful living.  There are so many powerful truths presented in the first twelve verses that it is difficult to choose only one wise thought, but I would like to share some thoughts from Proverbs 13:10, "Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom." 

It is without a doubt that human conflict most often has pride at its roots.  There is no doubt that pride is at the root of our disobedience.  And, there is no doubt that pride is the sin which most reflects the heart and attitude of Satan (read Isaiah 14:12-14 to learn).  The Bible has nothing good to say about the sin of pride.  Yet, it is a fundamental part of the fallen nature of humanity and one which we must guard against.  

Pride has destroyed marriages.  Husbands and wives dig in their heals and are no longer able to communicate because of their own pride blinding them to the needs of their spouse.  Churches are divided, because of the prideful characteristics of the people who are members.  Pride divides.  Pride elevates self.  Pride makes us flawed and unable to see things that are truly important.  

The Bible warns us about pride in many places, let me share just a few.   

• Psalm 10:4, "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts."  
• Proverbs 11:2, "When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom."  
• Finally, notice Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

The latter portion of verse 13 states, "...but with the well advised is wisdom."  The Hebrew word translated "well advised" has the sense of talking through a matter or consulting together.  Without a doubt, pride produces conflict, whereas, one who is willing to talk over a problem is wise.  

Which course will you take today?  Will you dig in your heals because of pride, or will you talk through a matter to avoid conflict and promote harmony in your relationships?

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott