Pastor Daniel Batarseh examines the life of King Amaziah to warn against the "parasite" of pride that often follows success. Even those with noble beginnings and spiritual habits can fall if they stop viewing God as the source of all they have.

• 1Spiritual activity and ministry involvement do not shield a person from pride; only a proper view of God does.
• 2Yesterday's obedience cannot be relied upon to protect you from tomorrow's temptations.
• 3God 'opposes' the proud, which in the Greek implies setting up military rank to go to war against them.
• 4Repentance is not a loss but an invitation to something superior and more pure.
• 5True humility is maintained by the daily realization that every talent and achievement is a gift from heaven.

Practical ways to apply this message to your life.

• Identify a recent success and consciously verbalize a prayer of thanks, attributing the results entirely to God's grace.
• Invite a trusted, godly friend to speak honestly into your life about any areas where they see your heart becoming 'lifted up.'
• Commit to a daily discipline of reading Scripture to maintain a correct view of God's holiness versus your own humanity.
• When faced with a choice to obey God at a personal cost, remember that remaining in disobedience is always more expensive in the long run.
• Practice rejoicing in the successes of others in your field or ministry as a way to kill competitive pride.

• Thank God for His Word and the truths revealed in this message.
• Pray for understanding and wisdom to apply what you've learned.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to help you live out these truths in your daily life.
• Pray for others who heard this message, that they too would be transformed.