Judas Iscariot was one who was puffed up with pride. He was so proud that he indirectly rebuked Jesus. He said that the ointment that was poured at the feet of Jesus should have been sold and the money used for the poor – as if he knew better than Jesus Himself! Perhaps Judas had the worst form of spiritual pride any man can have. Aren’t we also guilty of thinking we are better than others?
Look at the way Judas died. Like Saul, he tried to commit suicide; but from the Scripture, it is obvious that he failed in his attempt. “Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out” (Acts 1:18). From this we can gather that while Judas was hanging (on a rope), the rope snapped and as he fell, a sharp stone or something on the ground cut such a deep gash in his abdomen that all his bowels gushed out. Just think of his state, lying there on the ground where he fell. It must have been a most horrible sight too. Beware of subtle forms of pride!
When a proud person prays, it is not Jesus but Satan who stands at his right hand. His prayer not only displeases God, but also becomes sin! We read this regarding Judas Iscariot – “Let Satan stand at his right hand… let his prayer become sin” (Psa 109:6,7).
May the Holy Spirit enlighten us to see the pride lurking in our lives. May the Lord help us to cast this demon of pride out of our lives – so that the mind of Christ may dominate our lives, bringing grace to us and to others.
Look at the way Judas died. Like Saul, he tried to commit suicide; but from the Scripture, it is obvious that he failed in his attempt. “Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out” (Acts 1:18). From this we can gather that while Judas was hanging (on a rope), the rope snapped and as he fell, a sharp stone or something on the ground cut such a deep gash in his abdomen that all his bowels gushed out. Just think of his state, lying there on the ground where he fell. It must have been a most horrible sight too. Beware of subtle forms of pride!
When a proud person prays, it is not Jesus but Satan who stands at his right hand. His prayer not only displeases God, but also becomes sin! We read this regarding Judas Iscariot – “Let Satan stand at his right hand… let his prayer become sin” (Psa 109:6,7).
May the Holy Spirit enlighten us to see the pride lurking in our lives. May the Lord help us to cast this demon of pride out of our lives – so that the mind of Christ may dominate our lives, bringing grace to us and to others.
– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion
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