The potter makes a vessel. He creates it in the shape he wants and designs it with a specific use in mind. Let’s say he makes a vase. He fires it and makes it strong and to hold water. If we compare a natural vase to Christians as a vessel this will help us to understand pride.

The vase would have no business being prideful of the flowers inside. The vase didn’t make the flowers. People don’t look at someone who receives flowers and say,”Oh, look you got a vase.” They say, “Oh look, you got flowers.” The vase is just to hold the water to keep the flowers fresh.

In like manner, we do not have a right to be prideful when God uses us. We are simply a vessel that carries His Spirit. We carry his love. We are just empty vessels without Him. Because he uses us doesn’t mean we should feel superior to other vessels. After all, it is what God places in the vessel that has the beauty; His love and His Spirit. Just as the flowers make the vase pretty. A proud vase would say, “Look at me, I am so wonderful that God decided to place his Spirit in me.” A humble vase would say, “Don’t look at me, look at God’s Spirit, He is the one that needs the attention.”

James4:6–⁶ But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Luke 14:11 – For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

God gives grace to the humble, which is basically the opposite of pride. People that are full of pride have such a high opinion of themselves that they do not have room for God to move in their lives. Pride often comes with a religious spirit. Look at all the Bertha Better than you’s. They are judgemental and full of pride. While they are looking down their noses at others they are committing sin by being so full of pride and judgmental.

To be humble is to not brag or be self-important. God will exalt the humble. The prideful will be brought down. Humble people listen to others. They are not too proud to ask for help. Humble people are grateful for what they have been given. The humble are pleasant to be around and very helpful.

We are called to serve, but we cannot do that if we are prideful. Even Jesus humbled himself and became a servant. He had every reason and right to be exalted and prideful. But instead, he showed many acts of humility while he walked this earth. Jesus is our example, we need to check ourselves and see if we are a vessel that God can use.

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