Day 18 · Week 3
Passage: Luke 18:9–14; James 4:6, 10
Memory Verse: Matthew 5:3
James 4:6 (KJV)
“God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
Pride has a way of hiding from us.
It is easy to see pride in someone who boasts loudly. But pride can also appear when we constantly compare ourselves with others, refuse correction, hide our mistakes, or feel that needing help makes us look weak.
The Pharisee in Jesus' story prayed about himself. He thanked God that he was not like other people. His problem was not that every action he mentioned was wrong. His problem was that his goodness had become evidence, in his own mind, that he did not really need mercy.
The publican had nothing impressive to report. He simply asked God to be merciful.
Jesus said that man went home justified.
Pride keeps us looking sideways—comparing ourselves with people around us. Humility looks upward and sees our need of God.
This matters in families too. A simple sentence such as “I was wrong” can be surprisingly difficult to say. So can “Will you forgive me?” or “I need help.”
But being poor in spirit frees us from having to defend an image of ourselves. We already know we need grace, and we know where grace can be found.
Why can saying “I was wrong” be difficult even when we know it is true?
If you realize today that you have been wrong about something, practice saying so without making excuses.
Ask God to reveal pride gently but clearly and to give your family humble hearts that are willing to receive His grace.