Day 238/260: Read 3 John

Proverbs 16:18 teaches, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Pride brings with it shame (Proverbs 11:2) and strife (Proverbs 13:10) and persecutes the poor (Psalm 10:2). It is among the attitudes that God hates (Proverbs 6:16-19; 8:3); it comes from within a man’s heart and defiles him (Mark 7:21-23). Pride led to the condemnation of Satan (1 Timothy 3:6).

In today’s reading, we are introduced to Diotrephes, a proud man “who loves to have the preeminence.” He rejected the inspired apostle John, “prating against us with malicious words.” Going even further, Diotrephes punished those who did wish to show kindness to the faithful apostle and those with him.

Pride is evil. John writes, “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.” Diotrephes was not an example to follow.

In stark contrast to this proud man stands Gaius, a man who did “faithfully…for the brethren and for strangers,” and Demetrius, having “a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself.” What kind of example are you setting?

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

1 John 5:4. For whatever is born of ____________ overcomes the ____________. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our ____________.

Pray

Pray for forgiveness if you struggle with pride. Pray that your example may be such that others can look to you and follow to be pleasing to God.