The Price of Pride

“On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, ‘This is the voice of a god, not of a man.’ Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.” Acts 12:21

King Herod had set up the situation wherein he played god over the food supply for Tyre and Sidon. These were two little areas that we have not heard much of but will never forget after this story. They chanted how wonderful King Herod was when he resolved the very dilemma that he had created. People are always looking for a hero in undeserved places as in the case of the king. Can you only imagine standing and chanting at the feet of your hero only to watch him immediately be struck down? Commentary states that he was struck down with a disease that was extremely painful and very nasty. I will not go into the details of the disease but it is worth the research to see the extent of God’s hatred towards pride.

God will not allow pride in His people for any length of time. Just as Herod was ‘eaten by worms’ our pride will eventually eat us up and kill us. No royal robe or self-righteous throne can protect us from the disease of pride. The Bible goes on and on about God’s feelings on pride. God will always keep His promises both good and bad.

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Prov. 16:18
“And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” Daniel 4:37b
"The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.” Prov. 16:5
How much clearer can God be on this subject? I want the other promise from God:

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5