The press called him a "fallen power figure" after a scandal forced his resignation from a top political advisory post in Washington, DC. Looking back on how it all happened, the man said: "I started out being excited working for the president. Then I became arrogant, then I became grandiose, and then I became self-destructive. I'm prone to being infatuated with power and believing that the rules don't apply to me." An Associated Press article said that during the months leading up to his resignation, "he ignored his wife, ignored his friends, ignored the rules."

I've fallen into a similar trap, and perhaps you have too. It happens to us all when we allow pride to shape our attitudes instead of embracing humility before God. The book of Proverbs reminds us, "The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise. He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds rebuke gets understanding" (Prov. 15:31-32).

Is a friend or family member trying to give you a wise word of correction today? Is there guidance in the Bible that you've been ignoring? Pride says, "I don't want to hear it." Wisdom says, "You're close to the edge. Humble yourself. Stop, listen, and live!"  — David C. McCasland