The differences between Pride and Confidence are vastly different.
With Pride, there is arrogance, haughtiness, cockiness.
But with the Godly, there is humility, assurance and confidence with boldness.
“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need,” Hebrews 4:16.
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. The first is to humble yourself in the sight of God and He will give you wisdom,” Proverbs 11:2.
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall,” Proverbs 16:18.
Very often, when a Confident man or woman of God is being elevated or blessed by God, symptoms and spirits manifests through others.
It can manifest in accusing the person of pride, or it could be other accusations!
Often there are spirits of jealousy, strife, contention, selfish ambitions, prejudice, hatred and anger.
These Confident ones are often accused of the very thing the accuser is, as a mirroring technique! To put the blame on YOU!
“And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, art thou he that troubleth Israel? And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim!” 1 Kings 18:17-18.
It is a very vicious attack, when the enemy uses, especially Christians, being motivated by the enemy.
Beloved, you must learn to turn a deaf ear away from their words! Forgive them, Release them, and Let them go! You can close your door and you also have the block feature.
When God elevates, the price is death to self, resulting in humility. However, as God raises them up to speak HIS mind and heart, their godly boldness is radical! They have no doubt in whom is at work in them and they are Bold as a Lion!
One of the synonyms for confidence is assurance. We can therefore define godly Confidence as: “Assurance in oneself in Knowing who they are in Christ, and in absolutely knowing whose power and abilities work through them!”
I have also seen cases of people, who are high flying bling wearers, a ‘Hollywood’ brand of prophet, but who are no prophets!
True prophets don’t showboat for anyone!
Pride is a very dangerous spirit that prophets MUST learn to master, before they can ever minister effectively.
True prophets suffer greatly for what they carry, and they often seek solace as their preferred quiet times, being alone.
For a true prophet, humility is our hope and brokenness is our bread.
No one can choose to be a Prophet, or have it given to them, by the laying on of hands.
Prophets are chosen and declared by God himself.
“….. and he said, hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream,” Numbers 12:6 KJV.
True prophets don’t boast in their gifts, for those who are truly chosen and made by God in the furnace of affliction, don’t need to prove anything or declare their innocence!
God does the choosing and proving and He makes room for their gifts.
People like to glamorize the prophetic AND it has NO glamour to it! The brutal preparations of the true prophet must master many levels God takes them through as they learn to die to the flesh.
In closing, don’t allow everyone who comes into your life to speak into your world!
Surround yourself with people who believe in the great GOD who loves and works through you Small people criticize big dreams.
Don’t allow your faith and confidence to be robbed by critical and judgmental people.
Surround yourself with people who love and believe in you!
In HIS Grace and Mercy,
~ Sherry Edwards Mackey
New Beginning Christian Ministries International 