The Last Straw
“That was the last straw. God had had enough of Herod's arrogance and sent an angel to strike him down. Herod had given God no credit for anything. Down he went.” Acts 12:23 (MSG)
There’s a big difference between confidence and arrogance. Confidence walks with awareness of God’s hand. It says, “I can do this because God is with me.” Arrogance, on the other hand, walks like God isn’t needed. It quietly whispers, “I’ve got this on my own.”
Herod was full of himself. The people cheered as if he were a god, and he didn’t correct them. He welcomed it. He gave God no credit for anything. Not for his position. Not for his influence. Not for his success. In that moment, the applause of people mattered more than the approval of God. That moment became the last straw.
God isn’t intimidated by pride, but He won’t overlook it either. Scripture tells us again and again that pride precedes a fall. And in Herod’s case, it wasn’t a slow unraveling. It was immediate. One moment of unchecked arrogance led to a dramatic collapse.
The warning is clear: do not take credit for what only God can do.
When pride walks in, grace walks out.
We live in a culture that celebrates self-made success, but God calls us to live differently. He doesn’t need us to impress the world. He’s looking for people who will reflect His glory, not absorb it.
God's glory isn't ours to keep. Only to reflect.
Pride builds platforms. Humility builds altars. One makes it about us. The other makes it about Him.
Arrogance is loud. Reverence is steady. Herod soaked in the applause. Jesus, on the other hand, always pointed people back to the Father.
Years ago, I was asked to speak at an event that had a larger crowd than I was used to. The message went well, and after the service, people kept coming up to compliment me. I smiled and said thank you, but inside, I started to believe I had really done something great. That night, as I was laying in bed replaying it all, I felt the Holy Spirit whisper, “You enjoyed the applause, but forgot who gave you the voice.” It wasn’t condemnation, it was correction. That moment humbled me in the best way. Since then, I’ve tried to be intentional about giving God credit, even in small ways. It’s His breath in my lungs and His grace over my life.
But how do we guard our hearts from pride before it becomes our downfall? Here are three practical ways to stay grounded and give God the glory He deserves:
3 Steps to Overcome Pride:
Check Your Heart
Regularly pause and ask, “Why am I doing this? Who gets the glory?” Self-awareness is the first defense against self-exaltation.
Invite the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any hidden motives.Celebrate Others
Pride shrinks when you make room to honor and elevate others. Practice giving genuine encouragement and praise away.
When you highlight others, it reminds you that it is not all about you.Confess to God
When you notice pride creeping in, do not hide it. Bring it to God. Ask Him to cleanse your motives and restore humility.
Confession keeps your soul clean and your spirit aligned with God's grace.
Pride may be subtle, but God’s grace is strong. Let’s take a moment to invite Him to search our hearts and help us walk in humility.
Lord, keep my heart soft and humble. Help me to give You credit for every good thing in my life. When pride tries to take root, remind me of who You are and who I am not. I want to live in a way that reflects Your greatness, not mine. Amen.
Make It Personal
When was the last time I took credit for something God clearly made possible?
Do I find it easy or difficult to celebrate others without feeling overlooked?
What’s one area of my life where I need to intentionally give God the glory this week?
