Wisdom Wisdom - Week 4 - "Pride and Humility"

Sisters, here we are — the last week of our Proverbs theme study! 🌿

First, a heartfelt thank you for walking this journey of wisdom together. Your prayers, reflections, “Amens,” and shared takeaways have been such a blessing to the whole community. 💖 You’ve shown diligence in reading one chapter of Proverbs each day, and your participation has encouraged and strengthened others.

✨ As we close this series, remember: this is not about rushing but about resting with God in His Word. Take this week’s reading and study prayerfully, at your own pace, and let the Spirit highlight what He wants to form in your heart.

📖 At the end of the study, you’ll see the Go Light / Go Deep instructions:

• 🌟 Go Light → Simply type “Amen” in the comments once you’ve gone through the study.

• 🌟 Go Deep → Share what stood out most — a verse, an I-statement, or your Titus Team/Cluster takeaway.

🤝 And remember — don’t walk this path alone! Connect with each other on your WOW WhatsApp chats:

• Share the part of the study you’ve done so far.

• Use the chat to say whether you’ve read your chapter of Proverbs.

• Interact with one another, and tag sisters with questions to stir conversation.

Often, the Spirit deepens truth when we share and listen to one another. 💬

Now, with grateful hearts and expectant spirits — let’s get into the study! 🌸

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🌿 Part 1: The Story

The Counsel of Lady Wisdom

In a wide stone courtyard shaded by olive trees, four companions gathered, each embodying a different spirit. They had been summoned by Lady Wisdom, whose voice was gentle yet firm, her eyes radiant with truth.

🟡 Sunny the Sanguine skipped forward, her laughter filling the air. “Everyone loves when I enter the room!” she said, twirling proudly.

🔴 Clara the Choleric stood tall, chin lifted. “The world needs leaders like me. If I don’t take charge, nothing gets done.”

🔵 Marcus the Melancholic folded his arms with a sigh. “At least I see clearly. Others are blind, careless. They need my sharp eye.”

🟢 Philip the Phlegmatic leaned lazily against a column. “Let them fight for attention. I’ll stay comfortable right here.”

Lady Wisdom stepped into the circle, her robe shimmering with threads of gold. She lifted her hands and quoted softly:

“Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling.” — Proverbs 16:18

Her words silenced the courtyard.

• To 🟡 Sunny she said: “Child, compliments fade. Pride in your charm will trip you. Seek instead the smile of God, who delights in the quiet heart.”

• To 🔴 Clara she said: “Strength without humility becomes tyranny. Lead not with dominance but with service, for even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.”

• To 🔵 Marcus she said: “Your sharp eye becomes a sword when wielded in pride. Compassion will lift you higher than criticism ever could.”

• To 🟢 Philip she said: “Pride can hide in passivity, shrinking back from responsibility. Humility means stepping forward with steady courage.”

The four bowed their heads as her words pierced them.

Then Lady Wisdom raised her voice once more:

“God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble.” — James 4:6

The wind rustled through the olive branches, whispering agreement. Each temperament saw their reflection in her counsel. Pride was a trap waiting for them in different disguises — compliments, control, criticism, or comfort. But humility was the narrow, shining path that led to honor.

The four companions left that courtyard changed — lighter, quieter, steadier. They walked away repeating Lady Wisdom’s anchor phrase:
“Pride leads to a fall — humility lifts me up.”

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🌿 Part 2: PROMPTS Workshop with Lady Wisdom

P → Prayer 🙏

“Lord, humble our hearts before You. Strip away every disguise of pride — compliments, control, criticism, or comfort. Teach us to walk in gentleness, humility, and dependence on You. Amen.”

R → Read 📖

“Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling.” — Proverbs 16:18 (NASB 1995)

📖 Supplementary Readings:

• Proverbs 11:2 — “When pride comes, then comes dishonour, but with the humble there is wisdom.”

• Proverbs 22:4 — “The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honour, and life.”

• Proverbs 29:23 — “A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honour.”

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O → Observe 👀 (Workshop with 5W’s + H)

• Who stumbles?
  🟡 Sunny: “The one chasing compliments.”
  🔴 Clara: “The one forcing their own way.”
  🔵 Marcus: “The one criticizing harshly.”
  🟢 Philip: “The one hiding in comfort.”

• What does pride do? → “It blinds, puffs up, and leads to destruction.”

• When does stumbling happen? → “When the heart is lifted high above God.”

• Where do we see it? → “In leadership, in friendships, in silence, in words.”

• Why is pride dangerous? → “Because it deceives us into believing we don’t need God.”

• How does humility protect us? → “It grounds us in wisdom, opens us to grace, and brings honor.”

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M → Meaning 🔎

Lady Wisdom explains:

“Pride (ga’on) is arrogance, swelling, a false greatness. Its end is collapse. A haughty (gābah) spirit is ‘lifted up,’ but it stumbles because it is not resting on God.

Remember Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4). He lifted himself high, but God humbled him until he confessed the Most High rules.

Children, humility is not weakness — it is strength under God’s authority. Christ Himself humbled His life unto death and was exalted (Phil. 2:5–8).

Therefore, pride in compliments, control, criticism, or comfort must bow to the humility that honors God.”

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P → Practice 🌱 (Temperament Applications)

• 🟡 Sunny the Sanguine (Talker):
  “Resist the pride of compliments. Seek the Father’s smile above human praise.”
  I-Statement: I will seek God’s approval, not man’s compliments.

• 🔴 Clara the Choleric (Leader):
  “Resist the pride of control. Lead like Christ — with strength that serves.”
  I-Statement: I will lead with humility, remembering strength is for service, not self.

• 🔵 Marcus the Melancholic (Thinker):
  “Resist the pride of criticism. Choose compassion over judgment.”
  I-Statement: I will humble myself by choosing compassion over criticism.

• 🟢 Philip the Phlegmatic (Peacemaker):
  “Resist the pride of comfort. Step forward to serve with steady courage.”
  I-Statement: I will walk in humility by serving with quiet strength instead of shrinking back.

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T → Tell Us 💬 (Workshop Reflection)

Lady Wisdom invites:

“Now, children, it is your turn. Speak truthfully in the presence of God and to yourself. Choose the words that fit you most.”

🟡 Sunny the Sanguine

• Slipping Back: “I still find myself craving compliments.”

• Shifting: “I’m learning to rest in God’s approval.”

• Spirit-Led: “I choose to find joy in God’s smile alone.”

🔴 Clara the Choleric

• Slipping Back: “I still find myself pushing my own way in pride.”

• Shifting: “I’m learning to lead with humility instead of dominance.”

• Spirit-Led: “I choose to lead with servant-hearted humility.”

🔵 Marcus the Melancholic

• Slipping Back: “I still find myself criticizing instead of showing grace.”

• Shifting: “I’m learning to extend compassion.”

• Spirit-Led: “I choose to speak with compassion and grace.”

🟢 Philip the Phlegmatic

• Slipping Back: “I still find myself avoiding responsibility for comfort.”

• Shifting: “I’m learning to step forward when needed.”

• Spirit-Led: “I choose to serve with steady courage and humility.”

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S → Seal with Prayer 🕊

Lady Wisdom lifts her hands:

• 🟡 “Lord, steady the Sanguine in Your approval.”

• 🔴 “Lord, teach the Choleric to lead with humility.”

• 🔵 “Lord, soften the Melancholic with compassion.”

• 🟢 “Lord, strengthen the Phlegmatic with courage.”

“Amen. The Lord opposes the proud but crowns the humble with honor.”

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✨ Closing Challenge & Encouragement

Lady Wisdom’s final charge:

“Children, remember: Pride leads to a fall — humility lifts me up. This week, choose one act of humility — apologize, serve quietly, or release control. Carry your I-Statement daily, and encourage one another.”

📖 Keep reading one chapter of Proverbs daily. But also, search out the other themes in Proverbs. We covered:

• Wisdom vs. Folly

• Diligence vs. Laziness

• Life-giving Words vs. Destructive Ones

Let them be your treasure hunt for wisdom!

🌿 See you in October as we continue on our transformation journey, and for our Zoom meet-up for all ladies on Sunday, October 26 at 5 p.m. (Toronto Zoom).

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🌿 Group Discussion

• 🇬🇩 Grenada Ladies → Please discuss this study with your Titus Cluster.

• 🇨🇦 Toronto Ladies → Please discuss this study with your combined Titus Teams.

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💬 COMMENTS CORNER 🌸

✨ Go Light → 🙏 Type “Amen” if you’ve prayerfully read and reflected on the study. A simple word can shine like a spark of encouragement for everyone!
✨ Go Deep → 💭 Share what stood out most to you — maybe a verse, an I-Statement, or your Titus Cluster/Titus Team takeaway. Your voice may be the very encouragement another sister needs this week! 🌟
📖 Daily Check-in → 🌿 Don’t forget to let us know if you’re keeping up with reading one chapter of Proverbs each day. Steady steps build wisdom!

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✨ End of Proverbs' Themes in September!

Thank you for tracking with us. And thank you, Lady Wisdom. 🌿