How To Ruin Your Life (And How To Come Back) 5-Day DevotionalSample

Day 3: Believe in Yourself (Matthew 23:12)

While the explosive sins of isolation and boredom were active in David’s heart, pride was the first to take root. It was his pride that pulled him into isolation, his pride that shrugged off accountability, and his pride that drove him away from others and toward the absurd thinking that he did not need anyone. It was also pride that fostered boredom in David’s heart. His pride caused him to see himself as greater than he was, which inevitably led him to view God’s blessings as less than they were. His pride caused him to look at himself more and God less, which amplified and multiplied his boredom and isolation.

We get the term narcissism from the Greek mythological figure Narcissus, who fell in love with his own image. He was a hunter and was well known for his beauty. His arch-nemesis was named, well, he was named Nemesis, and he lured Narcissus to a pool where Narcissus saw his own reflection. Narcissus was in awe of himself and stared at his reflection until he died. His pride paralyzed him and prohibited him from walking in wisdom. In some versions of the story, he killed himself because his own image could not quench and satisfy him. Like the mythical Narcissus, David was preoccupied with himself and it led to his own demise.

This pride is not limited to Narcissus or to David. Pride was the first sin, and it still lives in you and me. In every sin we commit, we ultimately commit an act of pride, an act of treason that says we belong on God’s throne.

This is why Jesus said in Matthew 23, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” If you believe in yourself, you’ve already exalted yourself. You’re operating in pride and “pride comes before destruction.” (Proverbs 16:18)

If you want your life to be saved, believe in Jesus; if you want to ruin your life, believe in yourself. Where are you placing your belief?