Being called a stiff-necked person might make you think of having a pain in your neck, but in the Bible, it has a whole different meaning!  Let’s call it something that is more relatable: Pride!

That’s what Moses was telling the people who were resisting God when he said they were stiff-necked. They were being stubborn, turning their back on God, not listening to His instructions and wanting to do things their own way.  Ouch!

The people had forgotten what God had done for them.  They were a stiff-necked people!  How could they be like that?  They saw all that God had done for them, right?  Wow…are we like that?

If we are truthful with ourselves, the answer is yes we can be.

Pride is such a sneaky thing.  It can have many different masks in your lives. Most people in their pride would say they aren’t prideful!  That’s how blinding pride is!

God says pride goes before destruction (Proverbs 16:18)

Those are some strong words about pride!  God is saying pride can destroy us.

Oh, how true that is!  I have seen it over and over again where pride rules the person.  Marriages fall apart, common sense is out the window, and if left unchecked, pride will hurt you and a lot of other people who you care about.  That’s not a pretty picture!

Being a strong person and a prideful person can run close parallels.  If you know your strength comes from God and it’s only through Him you can accomplish anything, then your heart is in the right place.  Humility keeps you tender.

On the other hand, pride may have a tight grip on you if you are relying on your own strength and running yourself ragged with good works.  Your to-do list controls you and it’s only going to be a good day if the items are checked off.  If you rather suffer than ask for help, pride is having its way in your life.

I’m all in for empowering women to recognize their strengths, to stand strong for what is unjust or wrong, fight for the weak and go after their dreams no matter how impossible they seem.  I love that kind of strength.  It is when the strength is rooted in making it all about ourselves and not realizing it’s God’s strength we are supposed to depend on daily.

How can you recognize pride in your life?

Ask God to show you, because sometimes we just don’t see it in our lives, but others do.   If you think pride has a hold on you or you’re not sure… ask.  That’s the first step: “Lord show me any area of my life where I’m prideful and I am blind to it”.  Believe me, I have had to ask that question for myself at times.  He will always answer!

If God reveals an area to you that is rooted in pride, He says we have the power to demolish it  (2 Corinthians 10:4).  It will not be easy because pride is a heart issue and it doesn’t give up easily.  Pride is something that has to be prayed about continually because it will always fight against our soul to get our eyes off God.

If you have someone you really trust, like a friend or family member, ask them what they see in your life.  Then take the steps of growing and maturing in your faith.  Let humility replace pride.

God changes hearts.  If you think you could be a “stiff-necked” person let Him start that change in you today.  It may be just a question away.

Until next time,

~pat