We work really hard over the years to get to the top of our game and then something can happen that tears it all down, potentially in an instant. Rome was built over generations but it burned within days. We read about those in our business sphere who get to the top only to tumble quickly and not be heard of again. What is this fault that causes the greatest to fall? It is pride. Pride is defined as: “a high or inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.” Yes, an inordinate high opinion of ourselves is the pride that can lead to our downfall. The day we begin to think we are the best boss, the best teacher, the best doctor, the best recruiter, the best teammate, the best salesperson, the best student, or the smartest thinker, etc., we open ourselves up to the downfall of pride. If we think we are the best then there is no one else to learn from or listen to for advice or counsel. If we think we are the best then we think we are untouchable and we do things that are thought of by others as too far-reaching or over the top. Pride is a dangerous attitude. In the books of the Chronicles, we read over and over of the Kings who fell because they became prideful and stopped listening to God. Uzziah was a prime example; “But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall.” Have we become too prideful of what we do in our jobs? Have we let our pride squeeze away others from being able to talk to us and tell us what it really looks like? Have we let our pride get in the way of listening to God? Today, would be a good day to check our pride at the door and see what we hear and see differently. Let’s not let ourselves become another statistic as one who fell because of pride.

Reference: 2 Chronicles 26:16 (New Living Testament)