Satan’s first enticement toward sin was clothed in the allure of seeking God’s wisdom on man’s terms, apart from submission of creature before Creator. Given dominion over a glorious environment, Eve and her passive husband grabbed the forbidden fruit and launched a cascade of painful consequences resulting in an unending pattern of wounded relationships and warring armies. For the first couple, their marriage was distorted, their older son murdered the younger and the clock was ticking in a slow march toward physical death. Their foolish grab for God’s glory spoiled the joyful relationships they were created to enjoy!

In every family, town and nation, the story is repeated daily.

We seek to grasp control/ credit resulting in either preening arrogance or poisonous disappointment. Both outcomes scar our lives and tend to fuel the lust that seeks personal recognition to salve our wounds. This is not a surprise for God. We are warned that God hates the pride that pursues our selfish desires while it damages our relationships (Prov. 8:13; 16:5; 16:18; 26:12). While momentary celebration of self-absorbed accomplishments may be briefly exhilarating, it is never ultimately satisfying.

In stark contrast, Scripture spotlights humility before God as the path toward eventually being exalted by God as He enriches our relationships (Prov. 3:34; Phil. 2:1-11; 1 Pet. 5:5-6). On the walk to the Garden of Gethsemane, the night before He modeled ultimate humility, Jesus taught His disciples that living in dependence on His abiding strength leads to a fruitful and joy-filled life (Jn. 15:5-11). This kind of abundant, meaningful living is never found in a grab for glory. It is only discovered in the proactive humility before God which empowers a life that unleashes enduring joy while it focuses on blessing others. Momentary celebration of self-absorbed accomplishments may be briefly exhilarating, but never ultimately satisfying.

Look around…there are no exceptions to this spiritual reality.

~ Ken Horton