READ: Isaiah 13:9-11

«…and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.» - 1 Kings 12:14

When Rehoboam threatened to whip his citizens with scorpions, he was treading on dangerous ground. He was confident in power that he actually did not have.

Pride is often based on some kind of delusion. What we do not realise is that the things we are able to do are because of the grace of God. When you start threatening people, you think you have some kind of power that you do not have. I was once threatened by a witch whilst I was preaching. She kept throwing things at me and opposing what I was saying. She was exerting powers that she did not have.

On another occasion, I was threatened by a group of young men who wanted our church to leave their community. Insults were hurled at me. Curses have been rained on me by individuals who felt I was not worthy of being a pastor.

On yet another occasion, I was threatened by a pastor who did not want me to have a church in a particular city. He sent me a clear message, «I will drive you out of this town». He threatened to write a book about me that would be so damaging that I would not be able to continue my missionary work in that city. Wow!

These are threatening words of arrogance from men who are puffed up with delusions of grandeur. Be careful in your personal life when you threaten people around you! I will drive you out. I will finish you. I will clear you from there! Careful now! It is always a sign of pride!