To Nourish a Serpent in the Bosom by James Smith
Walk Humbly with Your God
Micah 6, 8

Pride is one of our greatest evils. To indulge pride is to nourish a serpent in the bosom. The grace of God always humbles us, and it is only as we are sincerely humble that we can be truly happy.

God condescends to walk with the humble man, but He keeps the proud man at a distance. Consider what a vile sinner you were by nature, what evil now lurks in your heart, what you would have been but for the grace of God, and be humble.

All you have which is truly good is the gift of free grace. All you do that is good is the effect of God's working in you. What then do you have to be proud of? What reason then do you have to boast?

O lie low in the dust of self-abasement, nourish humbling thoughts of yourself, admire the mercy, condescension, and infinite compassion of God in even noticing so vile, so unworthy a worm as yourself. Study the character and conduct of the humble Jesus, and endeavor to walk just as He walked,

Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.
Matthew 11, 29