The Games We Play with God: Pharaoh's Pride: A Lesson in Humility

0:00 Hello, everyone, and welcome back to the Dally of a Black Woman podcast. I'm your host, Connie Morris, and I'm so excited to continue our series, The Games We Play With God. Today's episode is called The Destructive Power of Pride, game number three. We're going to talk about how pride can lead us away from God, disrupt relationships, and ultimately bring destruction. If you ever struggle with pride, whether it's refusing to ask for help, seeking credit, or resisting correction, this episode is for you.

0:40 So let's dig into one of the Bible's most explicit examples of pride. It's Pharaoh and his hardened heart. Pharaoh's pride and its consequences. Our key scripture today comes from Exodus chapters 7 through 14. And just for the sake of time, I will not be reading seven chapters to you on this podcast. But I do recommend that you take time out and read this story about Pharaoh's interaction with Moses and the plagues of Egypt. And we know in chapter 14 that Pharaoh and his army was drowned in the Red Sea because of his refusal to let the people go, let God's people go.

1:33 We see here that Pharaoh's pride was evident from the beginning. He refused to let the Israelites go. Even after God showed his power through miraculous signs and devastating plagues, his repeated refusal to submit to God didn't harm just him. It brought refusal to his entire nation. And we know for a fact that, That in the Bible, these chapters, chapter 7 to 14, that Pharaoh's being king, his people suffered because he refused to bow to the name of God.

2:16 Verse 13, chapter 7, verse 13 in Exodus, it says, but Pharaoh's heart was hardened and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord has said. Pharaoh's story teaches us an important truth. Pride isn't just about arrogance. Here we go. It's about refusing to recognize God's authority and thinking we know better than him. Oh, my gosh. Pride isn't about refusing to recognize God's authority.

2:57 It's thinking we know better than him. So we can't like give the. You know, look at Pharaoh in a different look, like give him the side eye because Pharaoh is disobedient. Because a lot of times we are just regular human people got to give us a plan and we go, I'm going to do it my way. And then what happens? That's pride. When we do it thinking we know better than God. Pride blinds us to God's warnings and keeps us stuck in a cycle of disobedience. Why? Because we'll keep doing it. It's got to happen. It's got to work. It's got to work. It's got to work. When we already know it did not work the first time, it is not going to work the 20th time.

3:45 My question to you is, where is pride keeping you from listening to God in your life? Or others who God has sent to get you out of that cycle of disobedience? And we know what that is. We know who that may be. You know, even you know that you're in disobedience. but you just refuse because you think you know better than God. The rule of pride. Pride often stems from a desire for control or recognition. We want to be seen as strong, capable, or essential, and that can lead us to resist God's guidance or dismiss the need of others.

4:34 Proverbs 16, 18 reads, pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Pharaoh's refusal to humble himself before God led to his downfall. By the time he finally released the Israelites, Egypt has suffered a misloss, including the death of the firstborn son. My question to you is, are there areas in your life where pride is causing unnecessary struggles. Pride, thinking you know more than God, is causing you to have unnecessary struggles.

5:16 I think that kind of hit something on, like, some people say, what is this problem? What is this problem? I think you have found your answer. You have found your answer to your unnecessary struggle. You have found your answer to your stuck cycles of life. Why do I keep feeling like I'm going in a circle? Why do I keep feeling like I am struggling? Because you are in pride. Pride isn't just a problem for ancient rulers. It shows up in our daily lives in subtle and not so subtle ways. Number one, refusing help.

5:58 We often think we can handle everything on our own, even when God places people in our lives to help. You know, I, my daughter was one time, she said, I told her to stop saying that I don't need no man in my life. Okay. Then you keep doing all the hard work, you know? So she went and learned how to put this together and that together. I said, that still does not take the place of a man. And so stop, you know, and doesn't really take the place of God. So a lot of times we become masters of everything, you know, and in a place as a substitute to say we don't need anybody, right? But yet we do need somebody to help us.

6:41 God has put male and female together for a reason, so you don't have to work so hard. And so refusing help, refusing the help that God places in our life, refusing even to listen to the Holy Spirit when he speaks to you. Number two, taking credit When things go well, we're quick to claim the glory instead of giving it to God. And we know it's God. We know it's God. Right? So I'm quick to say that had to have been a God thing because, you know, however that added up, that just wasn't mapping up for me to have any credit. It just doesn't happen in people normal day, you know?

7:24 So give God the credit. And then pride, number three, rejecting correction. Pride makes it hard to accept constructive criticism or admit where we're wrong. How about this? Critical feedback. Feedback helps you grow. I don't believe anybody gets it right the first time. But you can get it right the second time after someone gives you just some constructive feedback. Proverbs 11.2 says, when pride comes, then comes disgrace. But with humility, humility comes wisdom. Got to do that one more time. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. That's Proverbs 11.2.

8:11 So you already know you're about to be embarrassed if you walk in in pride, but if you walk in humility, you will have wisdom. How do we overcome pride and stop playing the game of pride? We acknowledge God's sovereignty. We recognize that everything we have comes from Him. James 1.17 tells us that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights. So recognizing God's sovereignty, that everything comes from Him.

8:52 Number two, practice humility. Humility isn't about thinking less of yourself. It's about thinking of yourself less. What? Humility isn't about thinking less of yourself. It's about thinking of yourself less. James 14, I mean, sorry, James 4.10 reads, humble yourself before the Lord and he will lift you up. Oh my gosh. Humble yourself before the Lord and he will lift you. So we see here that when we humble ourselves before the Lord, he will lift you up. Number three, seek accountability.

9:34 Surround yourself with people who can point out when pride is creeping in. I just said a pause on that one because a lot of times we don't surround ourselves with the right people. And we walk around with all the ducks walking in a row. And after a while, you're like, somebody got to move out the way and tell this person that pride is in the way or pride is creeping in. So surround yourself with someone who can actually point out that pride is creeping in. So how do you stop playing the game of pride? You acknowledge God's sovereignty. You practice humility and you seek accountability. Decrees for conquering pride. Let's declare these truths together.

10:17 Father, I decree that I will walk in humility, recognizing God's authority over my life. I decree that I will give God the glory for every success and blessing. Hallelujah. I decree that I will remain teachable, embracing correction and growth. What is your assignment for this week? I just want to encourage you to reflect on areas where pride might be showing up in your life. Ask yourself, where am I resisting God's guidance or help from others? You know, where is your head too big to bow?

11:00 I like that one. When your head is too big to bow, that might be a devotion. How can I practice humility in my relationships and decisions? So I want you to pretty much begin to notice when your head is too big to bow, or you just got to feel like you're a center of attention, or you don't have any humility in your life, or you resist God's guidance or help from others. I like that. That's a good one. When your head is too big to bow. Wow. So each day, thank God for one thing in your life that you know comes from him. And when you wake up and you're breathing, thank you, Lord, for another day.

11:45 Thank you, Lord, for the food that you've given me to eat. Thank you, Lord, for the car you've given me to drive. Thank you, Lord, for money to even buy my lunch today. Thank you for money to even have gas in my car to get my hair done, Lord God. I know it's a simple thing. Thank you. Just thank you. Gratitude is a powerful way to keep pride in check. Thank you for my children who are doing well and able. They're not in prison. They're not sick. They're not in the hospital. Thank you for the job that you gave me. Yes, it's working me hard. I'm happy tired, but I thank you. Thank you for this job.

12:26 You know, just being, having an attitude of gratitude and a head that's not too big to bow. So let's close out in prayer. Heavenly Father, I want to thank you for the lessons that you teach us about pride and humility. Forgive us for the times we let pride take root in our hearts. Help us to walk humbly before you, recognizing that all we have and all we are comes from you. Teach us to listen to your guidance and to give you glory in all things. And let our head not be too big to bow. In Jesus' name, amen.

13:08 I want to thank you again for joining me on this episode of The Games We Play With God. If this message resonates with you, share with a friend and subscribe so you won't miss the next episode where we will discuss game number four, rebellion against God's order. Until next time, stay humble, stay rooted, and be blessed.