Thursday
02-19-2026
By: Brenda
This study is by request its about pride, judging and letting our light shine..
“Pride, Judging Others, and Living as God’s Light”
Pride is the quiet enemy of the heart, and it
rarely announces itself. It slips in quietly, through comparison, self‑righteousness, or the belief that we “see things more clearly” than others.
Scripture warns us that pride blinds us.
Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Galations 6:4
But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Jerimiah 9:23
Thus says the LORD, “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches.
Philippians 2:3
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conciet, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Proverbs 26:12
Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Pride makes us forget grace. It makes us slow to repent, and it makes us quick to point out the faults in others.
Each one of us should be testing and questioning our own actions.
Pride is dangerous thing because it convinces us that we are spiritually strong while we are actually drifting from humility.
And then following pride comes judging others.
Jesus did not forbid discernment.
He forbade hypocrisy.
Paul echoes this in Romans 2: when we judge others harshly, we reveal our own hearts more than theirs.
So, judgment becomes sinful when we hold others to a standard we do not live by ourselves.
We assume motives instead of observing actions. We correct without compassion, and we forget that we ourselves are recipients of mercy.
We cannot lead people to God while looking down on them.
We are called to be examples, not enforcers.
People are not drawn to God because we win arguments.
They are drawn to God because they see something different, something holy, steady, and loving in us.
Jesus said at Matthew 5:16
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
This means, our lives should raise questions. Our peace should stand out in chaos. Our humility should soften hard hearts, and our kindness should make people wonder, “What is it about them that different?”
We are not called to blend in.
We are called to shine gently, consistently, and unmistakably.
Perfection, performance, and religious behavior does not make our light shine.
Our light shines when we respond with grace instead of anger. When we choose humility instead of pride. When we forgive quickly. When we speak truth with gentleness. When we love people who cannot repay us, and when we live in a way that reflects what we learned through Jesus, not ourselves.
The world does not need more critics.
It needs more Christ like examples.
Oh, how God loves us ❤️
That He sent His only begotten Son…
Dear Father in heaven,
Search our hearts and remove every trace of pride that keeps us from reflecting You.
Teach us to see others through Your eyes,
with compassion, patience, and humility.
Guard us from judging others harshly.
Let our words be seasoned with grace
and our actions shaped by love.
Make our lives a light that shines clearly in a dark world.
Let others see something different in us,
not because of who we are but because of who You are within us.
Help us walk in humility, serve with joy,
and live in a way that draws others toward Your presence.
May our lives glorify You in every conversation, in every response,
and every quiet moment.
In Your Son’s precious name, Amen.
Have a blessed day
God loves you ❤️
and so do I ❤️