The Strife of Pride

Proverbs 13:10, 14:3

“There is another practical reason that pride leads inevitably to a fall, namely, because it stirs up interpersonal strife.” - Timothy Keller
Prov 14:3 says the pride of one’s mouth lashes out, but in the second part of the verse, where wise speech protects the speaker, it is revealed that the proud words are doing the beating.  The image this verse is portraying is of a man or a woman beating themselves with a rod or whip.  How does arrogant speech do that?  It is because “the indiscreet, insulting speech,” that always marks the braggart and the thin-skinned “prompts others to react with anger, derision, disdain and revenge.” - Bruce Waltke
Pride means you are constantly getting into arguments, and it is only a matter of time before you pick a fight with someone who can really hurt you.  Humble, careful, discreet speech, on the other hand, disarms people and protects you from the great cost of interpersonal strife.  The ultimate example of this is Jesus himself, who, unlike fools who turn friends into enemies, made a career out of making enemies into friends (Romans 5:10).

Questions for further thought:
1. Who is someone opposing or criticizing you?
2. How could you at least try to disarm the animosity and make the person a friend?

​Challenge: Take Jesus as an example as you go throughout your day.  Try not to make enemies out of your friends.  Take a moment and humble yourself. Pray to God for guidance.  Offer words of wisdom to others and take the whip out of your hands.