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Pride

The pride of your heart has deceived you, You who dwell in the clefts of the rock, Whose habitation is high; You who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’ Though you ascend as high as the eagle, And though you set your nest among the stars, From there I will bring you down,” says the Lord .
“Oh, how Esau shall be searched out! How his hidden treasures shall be sought after! All the men in your confederacy Shall force you to the border; The men at peace with you Shall deceive you and prevail against you. Those  who  eat your bread shall lay a trap for you. No one is aware of it.
“For violence against your brother Jacob, Shame shall cover you, And you shall be cut off forever.
“But on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance, And there shall be holiness; The house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. The house of Jacob shall be a fire, And the house of Joseph a flame; But the house of Esau shall  be stubble; They shall kindle them and devour them, And no survivor shall remain of the house of Esau,” For the Lord has spoken.
Obadiah 1:3-4, 6-7, 10, 17-18 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/oba.1.3-18.NKJV

Pride.

It pits man against man.

It causes those who we one considered brothers and friends to betray loyalties to anything other than self.

And when self reigns king in the hearts of men, violence towards others is inevitable – as jealousy, covetousness, bitterness, and unforgiveness settles in for a long siege.

But Christ offers deliverance and victory. Our only hope of glory is found by His grace through our faith.

Haven’t we chosen our side?

On one hand, the flame and fire of Christ alive in us, refining us and reminding us,  and shining the light of the Holy Spirit in a fruitful life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,  goodness,  gentleness,  faithfulness,  and self control in our lives today.

Or the destructive fire of judgement set aside for the adversary and those whose pride drives their lives far from living God and loving others,  because the love of self eventually leaves no room for anything else.