ENEMY OF PROGRESS I - PRIDE I

 

“Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee – Deuteronomy 9:4.”

We are in a world where many things go by the name - enemy. Even a righteous man can be called ot tagged by the wicked and unrighteous to be an enemy. As believers, each time the name “Enemy” is mentioned, what comes to mind is the devil. True, the devil is an enemy, likewise death. Some people even take their neighbours to be their enemies, believing that the woman next door or the man opposite their house is responsible for their predicaments. While this could be said to be appealing to reasons to be true, it is not the truth nonetheless. The truth is there are enemies within giving strength and access to these other enemies or agents earlier mentioned.

While it is true that the Egyptians tormented the children of Israel, let us not forget this that – “How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up? – Deuteronomy 32:30.” Before the Assyrians would overpower Israel, check it, Israel must have cast off the good things. This made the enemies to pursue.

As a matter of truth, we are not focusing on the enemies mentioned or listed above rather we shall focus on enemies which easily beset us but we do not give due diligence to put into consideration as being potent and powerful enough to disrupt the eternal order. As crafty and cunning our adversary, the devil is, one of the means and tools he uses to plague the heart of men is pride – the weapon of pride. This was what caused his fall. Beware of what caused this once upon a time shining creature to fall. Caution! Take heed, do not feel like a superhuman to believe or think what caused the fall of devil is a trivial matter. Pride is not what should be joked with. It is an enemy. Fight it with all you have got brother. Oh, my sister, spare no armour of God within your reach and care against this assailant.

One of the challenges people face when combatting pride is this, it is not visible. Many people feel active and focused when they see “physical enemies.” Sir, listen to this, pride cannot be seen as a person but its works and effects are more pronounced and evident. It is a spirit and only those who are born of the Spirit can overcome. Carnal weapons cannot do in this case. In fact, if you should engage carnal weapon, it is sheer waste of time.

I am persuaded Nicodemus was not the only teacher or elite who was not born again but he came to Jesus. Others who didn’t come, be sure, one of the enemies that hindered them was pride. They are engrossed with their position, power, name and other such like things that appealed to their ego.

Just for your information, if you have devil for your enemy, that can affect progress. However, if you have God for or as your enemy, that is a real deal. It is terrible thing to have God as your enemy. One thing that I can guarantee you that will surely make God to be your enemy is pride. You see, if God is against a man, how then can such a person make progress? Where?

Therefore, as I draw this to an end, Jesus Christ is calling you today to come unto Him. He is meek and lowly. This is how pride can be broken – meekness and lowliness. No man can exercise this weapon to overcome pride except the Lord Jesus Christ. Come to Jesus humbly today and now and you will see how your progress will break-forth as noonday. God bless you as you yield to this calling and His election.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS