That’s Not Pride – That’s Purpose

onetiacutts
Nov 8
2 min read

Subtitle: When They Mistake Confidence for Arrogance

Key Scripture:

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”— Proverbs 16:18 (NKJV)

Devotional:

Have you ever had someone tell you, “You’re doing too much”—simply because you were walking boldly in what God called you to do? Or maybe they said, “You think you’re better than everybody else,” when all you were doing was finally stepping into your purpose with confidence.

There’s a fine line that people often blur between pride and purpose. But here’s the truth:

Not every loud voice is arrogant, and not every quiet one is humble.

Sometimes, confidence is obedience—and obedience will always be misunderstood by someone. When you start walking differently, talking differently, or believing God for more, it can make others uncomfortable. But that doesn’t mean you’ve changed for the worse—it means you’re maturing in your assignment.

1️⃣ Pride Is a Posture, Not Just a Personality

Scripture: Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride goes before destruction…”

Pride isn’t just about how someone acts—it’s about the posture of their heart. You can be quiet and still prideful. You can be bold and still humble. The enemy loves to confuse confidence with pride because it keeps people insecure and silent.

A lion doesn’t roar to show off—it roars to mark its territory.In the same way, when you show up in the gifts and purpose God placed inside of you, that’s not arrogance—it’s alignment.

You’re not showing off. You’re showing up.

2️⃣ People Often Mislabel What They Don’t Understand

Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:14–23 – “David danced before the Lord with all his might…”

When David danced before the Lord, his wife Michal called him “shameless.” She misunderstood his worship. What she called pride, God called praise.

David wasn’t performing for people—he was pouring out before God.

“I will become even more undignified than this…” (2 Samuel 6:22)

Here’s the reality:

Sometimes what people call pride is actually your freedom in Christ making them uncomfortable in their bondage.

Confidence threatens insecurity. People often criticize what they don’t have the courage to do.

So don’t shrink to fit into someone else’s comfort zone. Your obedience might look offensive to those who are still stuck in fear.

3️⃣ Check Your Heart—Not Their Accusations

Scripture: Psalm 139:23–24 – “Search me, O God, and know my heart…”

Yes, it’s important to stay teachable and open to correction—but don’t live your life apologizing for confidence that comes from Christ.

When your motives are pure, their opinions can’t contaminate your mission.

You can be confident and humble, bold and surrendered, visible and still submitted. Confidence rooted in God’s calling is not pride—it’s purpose.

Reflection:

Have you ever held back because you were afraid of being misunderstood?
How can you show up boldly in your purpose without apologizing for it?
Ask God to remind you that confidence and humility can coexist when your heart is aligned with Him.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for giving me boldness and confidence through Your Spirit. Help me to walk in humility without shrinking back in fear. When others misunderstand my purpose, teach me to stay focused on pleasing You above all. Search my heart and keep my motives pure as I move forward in faith. In Jesus’ name, amen.