Pride

2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21; Psalms. 30; 1 Thessalonians 2 

“Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. So David said to Joab…‘Go and count the Israelites’…Joab reported the number of the fighting men to David…This command was also evil in the sight of God…”

1 Chronicles 21:1, 2, 5, 7

Spiritual warfare is focused on Satan getting us ‘off side’ with God and his Word. God hates pride. David’s desire to count his army was motivated by pride, which opened the door to a request which might have looked reasonable to some, but grieved God. God reduced Gideon’s army to 300, because 10,000 would be too many to deliver Israel. God’s blessing and favor on David’s life and leadership was not a license to become independent from God. Seemingly innocent thoughts can have demonic origins. God used Joab to warn David that his scheme was going to bring guilt on Israel. Joab had killed many men, yet he understood that David’s request was wrong. David’s anguish at Joab killing Absalom might have prevented him from receiving Joab’s rebuke. When we are tempted, God always provides a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13).

“Lord Jesus, I humble myself before you. Keep me from pride and willful sin.”