March 30 - Pride, Choices, and Consequences

MARCH 30 - Pride, Choices, and Consequences3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 13:9–10; Judges 19 21//⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠3-Year Bible Devotional Book (Year Two) Available on Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠//________________________________________“By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom. Light despised by the proud hastens their fall, but the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.” — Proverbs 13:10–11 (ESV)“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” — Judges 21:25 (ESV)“The men of Israel arose, and the whole congregation went up to the house of God and wept and sat there before the Lord until evening, offering sacrifices and seeking the Lord’s guidance.” — Judges 20:26 (ESV)________________________________________Ever notice how small decisions can snowball into big consequences? Maybe it’s a lie you told, a friendship you ignored, or a selfish choice you made. Proverbs 13 reminds us that pride and refusing advice can lead to conflict, while humility and listening to wise counsel lead to growth. In Judges 19–21, we see what happens when a whole community chooses their own way instead of God’s way—chaos, heartbreak, and regret. Yet even in the midst of mistakes, the people sought God’s guidance (Judges 20:26), showing that it’s never too late to turn back to Him.Life gives us daily choices—big and small—and the direction we take affects not just us, but those around us. Pride makes us think we know best, but wisdom is found in listening, learning, and trusting God’s path over our own.________________________________________THINK ABOUT IT1. Check Your Heart: Are there areas in your life where you’re acting out of pride or insisting on your own way? How could humility change your relationships or decisions?2. Learn From Others: Proverbs 13:10 emphasizes taking advice. Who can you turn to for guidance—parents, mentors, friends, or God Himself?3. Seek God First: Even when things go wrong, like in Judges 19–21, seeking God’s direction brings hope. How can you make time to ask God for wisdom in everyday choices?________________________________________BOTTOM LINEYour choices matter—humility, wisdom, and seeking God prevent pride from leading to regret.________________________________________PRAYERHeavenly Father, help me recognize areas where pride or stubbornness might be steering my choices. Teach me to listen to wise counsel and to seek Your guidance in every decision, big or small. Give me courage to turn away from my own way and trust Your path, so my life reflects Your wisdom and love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.