Pride is not just an inward attitude—it is a condition of the heart that God deeply opposes. It disconnects us from His grace and leads us toward actions that separate us from His love. The proud heart is like an unplowed field, producing nothing but sin and chaos. In today’s message, we explore the consequences of allowing pride to take root in our hearts and how we can turn back to God’s ways.
Today’s Scripture
“Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; though they join forces, none will go unpunished.”
— Proverbs 16:5 (NKJV)
The Hardened Heart of Pride
1. Pride Leads to Spiritual Barrenness
In Proverbs 16:5, we see a sobering truth: the Lord detests a proud heart. Pride, when left unchecked, hardens the soil of our hearts, making it difficult for God’s Word to take root and bear fruit. This spiritual barrenness is like an unplowed field that is left uncultivated—it can produce nothing good, only sin and disorder.
When our hearts are hardened by pride, we resist God’s correction and fail to produce the fruits of the Spirit. This lack of spiritual growth can manifest in various areas of our lives, such as relationships, decisions, and even our walk with God.
2. The Sin of Self-Reliance
Pride leads to self-reliance, where we trust in our own abilities rather than in God. We might be tempted to think that we can navigate life on our own, without His help. However, this attitude is deceptive. The unplowed field of a wicked heart is not just barren—it produces sin. Pride convinces us that we can walk through life without God’s guidance, but this path only leads to destruction.
Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” Pride blinds us to our own weaknesses and keeps us from seeking the help we so desperately need.
3. The Danger of Ignoring God’s Warnings
Pride often causes us to ignore God’s warnings. In our arrogance, we may believe that we are above correction or that consequences won’t affect us. However, Scripture warns that those who are proud will not go unpunished. As Proverbs 16:5 says, “Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.” Pride may create a false sense of security, but God’s justice remains true.
Ignoring God’s warnings can lead to more than just spiritual consequences—it can also affect our relationships, our peace, and our ability to fulfill God’s purpose in our lives. Humility, on the other hand, opens the door for His grace and mercy to flow into our lives.
Tilling the Soil of Our Hearts
Just as an unplowed field needs to be tilled and prepared for planting, so do our hearts. If pride has hardened us, it is time to allow God to break up the hardened ground and plant seeds of humility, repentance, and faith. Hosea 10:12 calls us to “Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you.”
Repentance is the first step toward softening a proud heart. When we confess our pride and ask God to help us, He is faithful to forgive and transform us. With humility, we make room for God to work in us, producing spiritual fruit and aligning our hearts with His will.
Conclusion
Pride hardens our hearts and leads to spiritual barrenness, self-reliance, and a dangerous disregard for God’s warnings. But with humility and repentance, we can allow God to till the soil of our hearts, making them ready to bear fruit for His kingdom. Let us be vigilant, always seeking to keep our hearts soft and open to God’s correction and grace.
Prayer
Father, I confess any pride in my heart that has separated me from You. Till the soil of my heart and plant in me the seeds of humility, faith, and repentance. May I walk in Your ways and produce fruit that honors You. Amen.
