Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches up to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise, we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”

Genesis 11:4

Have you ever heard the saying, “Pride comes before a fall”? Pride is the greatest stumbling block humanity has ever faced. Pride is that attitude that says, “I did it all by myself.” It is one of the most dangerous sins because it renders us so blind that we are unable to see it in ourselves. The only indication that something may be amiss is when our “WHAT” begins to unravel. WHAT being the goals, ideas, plans and ambitions that we try to execute daily to move our lives forward. When we begin to stumble, it is time to start searching for pride. It has a way of hiding in plain sight.

The Bible is filled with warnings against pride (1 Cor. 10:12; Ps 10:2-11; Prov. 16:8; etc.) One such story is the one about the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11:1-9. The builders tried to build a city, with a tower reaching up to the heavens, so that they could make a name for themselves. Pride caused the whole project to come tumbling down one brick at a time. This story reminds us that God opposes the proud (James 4:6). It is one of the sins that God hates.

As we begin another week, let us remember that if it were not for Jesus, none of us would have a leg to stand on. Before his promotion to glory, he showed us how we should live. He did so when he washed the disciples’ feet (John 13:5). He is the originator of our destiny, the foundation of our lives and the assurance of our destiny. He has called us to serve one another, and to walk humbly before him. Without him, all we are left with is filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).

May the Holy Spirit teach us how to walk and live humbly before God and man, so that he may lift us up in accordance with his divine will for our lives.