Authority Without Pride

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
AUTHORITY WITHOUT PRIDE
Prov 11:2
2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.
NIV
Being prideful of self is not a good thing for it is obvious that it will bring nothing but disgrace. I think it is alright for me to have pride in what I do. That is to take care to do exceptionally well at whatever I do. But if I have pride in whom I am, or that I am better than someone else, that is a different thing. If I even think to myself that I am better then another I am filled up to the brim with pride and for sure it will topple me. I still do not understand how some people I know can actually say they do not sin. Is that not spiritual pride? Will that not bring them down in the end? I surely cannot say I do not sin anymore. I have nothing to be prideful about when it comes to my own self. Sure I do things for the Kingdom of God. Yes I preach and teach and write books and post these devotions for others to read, and talk about the Kingdom whenever I get the opportunity with whomever I can, but that is simply being useful to God in the way he has gifted me. I have none of that ability in my own self. In fact, left to my own devises I would simply hide out in my basement and built my railroad, never ever speaking to anyone. Being out in the front is so far outside myself I certainly could not have ever imagined I would do that. I know it may appear to some that I think I am a know-it-all, and I cannot understand how people think that. Yes, I am confident of what I say about the scriptures. Yes, I may well speak with a certain amount of authority about the Word of God. But why shouldn’t I? When there is so much misunderstanding and uncertainty about his word, why should I not share with confidence and authority that which the Holy Spirit has revealed to me so that people will gain knowledge and understanding? If we all stand around, wishy washy about what the Word of God says what good comes from that. I understand any truth I know is because of God, not me and I believe that is true humility, not this false stuff I see people trying to show. I shall not be disgraced when I stand before my Lord and my God because I speak up and stand up for his truths with boldness and with authority for both come from him. I can have the authority without pride.