The Pride Roadblock
“I hate pride and arrogance.”
Proverbs 8:13
In the middle of your highway to forgiveness there may be a giant roadblock called pride. You know in your heart that you offended your wife with that comment about her body, or her intelligence, or her family. You realize you hurt your husband with that remark about his selfishness or his waste of money. But something is keeping you from admitting wrong and seeking forgiveness. Even though you know you’re guilty, you can’t get the words out of your mouth. At best you can mumble, “I’m sorry,” but you don’t really want to know if your partner heard you.
Pride is terribly destructive to human relationships. It may be the sin that God hates most, because there are more than one hundred references to it in Scripture. Proverbs 6:17–19 describes seven things that God finds detestable, and the first one on the list is “a proud look.” If you or your mate have a haughty attitude that prevents you from seeking forgiveness and reconciling, it will damage your marriage. We encourage you to swallow your pride and talk to your spouse. Once you’ve done that, why not clear one more roadblock and seek the Lord’s forgiveness for your prideful heart?
Just between us...
• Has my pride kept us apart in the past? How?
• In what ways has swallowing our pride blessed us in the past?
• How can we break down the roadblock of pride on our way to a stronger relationship?
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your example of humility and mercy. Forgive us for our stubborn, prideful treatment of each other. We want to change. Help us to lay aside pride, admit wrongs, and humbly ask for forgiveness. Amen.
Listen to today's broadcast of Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk at OnePlace.com. For more from Dr. Dobson, visit the resource center at drjamesdobson.org.
This devotional is taken from Night Light for Couples. Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
01/18/2021
Even though you know you're guilty, you can't get the words out of your mouth.
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Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find? (Prov. 20:6). This gentleman who so gently cared for his wife clearly understood the meaning of commitment.
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What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes (James 4:14). Time is an embezzler, juggling the books at night when no one is looking. So remember to use each day for the Lord as though it could be your last.
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Faith is being sure of what we hope for (Heb. 11:1). Hope based on the realistic expectation that something can or will change is a powerful, positive, driving force.
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If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! (1 Cor. 10:12). Build a record of choices and deeds that proves to your partner you can be trusted at all times.
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Dr. James Dobson and Dr. William Lile, a pro-life OB/GYN, discuss the miracle of conception and the amazing medical advancements enabling intricate surgeries to be performed on babies while in the womb.