Like most of Solomon’s proverbs, Proverbs 16:18 says a heck of a lot in very few words. Let’s listen in while the voice in our head reminds us…
“Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.â€
Notice that Solomon didn’t say pride goeth before a wounded ego or a stubbed toe. Nope, pride goeth before “destruction.†Don’t know about you but we’re really not into creating our own destruction. The point here is that God takes the sin of pride pretty seriously. And have you ever noticed how the know-it-all seems to know the least of all? We’re just saying…happens enough to not be a coincidence.
Want to find the gaping holes of ignorance in mankind? It’s easy. Follow the loudest talkers in any conversation to trace it to it’s source. There it resides in all it’s braying, pontificating, pointless, destructive glory. True expertise is displayed humbly. The trouble with being a know-it-all is that you present a serious affront to the one who truly does know it all – God – and God doesn’t like it when you tread on his territory.
Inflating yourself and knowledge is the surest way to achieve failure we’ve ever noticed. Good thing to keep in mind while you go about your daily business, especially if you’re a business owner. You might be surprised to discover how many customers prefer to be talked to rather than talked down to. Maybe you have the perfect product in the perfect location at the perfect price but sales are anemic. Have you completed an attitude check yet? Are you boasting constantly yet never informing? Is your spirit haughty?
God and Solomon have taken the opportunity to warn you to get ready for the fall.
The Solomon Success Team
Flickr / Rennett Stowe
