08-26-2026 PART 2: When Pride Blinds You to What God Is Showing You

Section 1

Pride creates far greater danger than people often recognize because Scripture says pride goes before destruction, while a haughty spirit precedes a fall. Dr. Dave illustrates the difference with the humorous story of a powerful battleship demanding that an approaching light move out of its path, only to discover that the light belongs to an immovable lighthouse. Strength, authority, and position become meaningless when pride prevents someone from recognizing reality. God does not overlook pride indefinitely, making humility essential for believers who want to recognize His direction rather than stubbornly continuing toward unnecessary destruction.

Section 2

Balaam provides an unforgettable example of someone becoming so determined to follow his own direction that his donkey possessed greater spiritual awareness than he did. While Balaam traveled toward Israel, the donkey repeatedly saw the angel of the Lord blocking their path and attempted to avoid the danger. Balaam responded by beating the animal three times because he could not see what God had allowed the donkey to recognize. Dr. Dave emphasizes the remarkable irony: God can use anyone or anything He chooses, including a donkey, reminding believers that nobody is indispensable. God does not need people; people desperately need God.

Section 3

Even after God enabled the donkey to speak, Balaam became so consumed by anger that he carried on a conversation with the animal without recognizing how extraordinary the moment was. Only when the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes did he finally see the angel standing before him with a drawn sword, and his response immediately changed from frustration to humility. Dr. Dave highlights how anger and pride can make someone spiritually blind to what God is placing directly in front of them. When the Lord exposes what we have failed to see, the proper response is not argument or self-defense but surrender, humility, and a willingness to listen.