Most of us know that having pride is a sure way to fall on our big head, but did you know that pride manifests in different ways?

One creature that is used to illustrate pride is the peacock. To be “proud as a peacock” is a saying used to mean a vain or self-centered person.

Vanity is a form of pride that, while seemingly obvious, may also be subtle. That is, vanity may be hiding in a very obvious place!

Most of us know that the proud peacock struts his stuff for all to see. The peacock may not even be lying about his beauty! Peacocks are very beautiful to look at!

The male peacock’s plumage spreads in a big way to attract.

It’s a good way to get attention! Those feathers are pretty awesome!

Pride puffs up. It is pompous, vain, boastful and egotistical! (Romans 11:21, Proverbs 22:4)

The peacock has a beautiful plumage! God has gifted the peacock with dazzling gifts!
The problem with the peacock, however, is that the peacock takes all the glory for himself!
I have read about another character in the Bible so puffed up with vain glory that he couldn’t see past his beauty! That guy was blinded by his amazing gifts which ended up being his downfall!

I have mentioned the peacock as a thief because this character steals glory from God!

The peacock is so blinded by his gifts that he does not realize what he is doing! Have you ever seen one of these vain peacocks?

Their pictures are everywhere! It’s all about them! They boast about themselves both blatantly and subtlety.
Don’t get me wrong; to market your business or ministry, you have to be out there, but the peacock is way out there!

The problem with the peacock is that the peacock has an exaggerated sense of his own importance. But the peacock is just being himself, you may argue.

Fine feathers, plumage colorful and sleek! So beautiful! Why shouldn’t the peacock strut his stuff? After all, God has given him those gifts!

True, but that is the problem! God gave those gifts, so God should get the glory!

Vanity is displaying one’s own importance. God hates vanity because it brings no profit!

Vanity cannot deliver anyone! Vanity is a useless thing to trust in!

Vanity is trusting in your own ability.

And turn ye not aside: for [then should ye go] after vain [things], which cannot profit nor deliver; for they [are] vain. Samuel 1: 12-21

Vanity rejects God’s word, replacing it with their “word”. Their way of doing things! Their programs and their flashy things!

This is what the world does! The world boasts continually about themselves!

The world is vain. Puffed up. Self absorbed.

And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that [were] round about them, [concerning] whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them. 2 Kings 17:15

Vanity is one of the seven deadly sins. Vanity is a sure way to end up in the has-been heap!

Remember that the peacock is open game for the enemy! Those beautiful feathers flaunted will attract his attention! The devil sees the peacock coming a mile away.

Surely every man walketh in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up [riches], and knoweth not who shall gather them. Psalm 39:6

It is safer to trust in the Lord, putting our confidence in Him. By displaying our gifts in a way that is not so obvious! Not so in your face! A little humility goes a long way!

Jesus is the best example of that! Though he was God in the flesh, he did not feel the need to be showy about it! (Philippians 2: 5-11)

Vanity is trusting in your gifts! After all, those gifts are pretty awesome!

However, God in his word says not to trust in anything (even your gifts) but trust in him alone.

The word ‘vain’ means to be empty. To be worth nothing, having no good purpose.

All the peacock’s beautiful feathers will not do him any good if he ends up on a roasting stick!

Vanity is a form of pride. The peacock likes to look good to others and to themselves.

Vanity is being preoccupied with one’s achievement. Constantly having to prove one’s own worth and success. Vanity is being overly proud of one’s qualities or giftings. Vanity is self-conceit. Vanity is vain, empty, and worthless because pride rejects the giver of the gift.

God tells us to trust in Him. Not in the peacock, no matter how beautiful he looks! (Psalm 118:9)

Humbling ourselves is using our gifts in such a way that Jesus Christ gets the glory! His word is promoted over our word! His glory is seen through us!

Being humble will give us God’s favor.

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Don’t get side tracked by all the peacocks out there!

Keep your gaze on the one who is fairer than ten thousands! For Jesus Christ is all together lovely!

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