AFV—Do You Have One?

October 17, 2019

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

AFV is the syndicated program that is seen by hundreds of thousands weekly. It’s technically titled “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” and it features videos sent in by viewers. Numerous videos are viewed each episode, and the audience votes on which videos are funniest.

Some of the videos are innocent babies and children doing the things children naturally do that make us giggle. But by far the staple that provokes the biggest belly laughs are the ones that capture poised and unsuspecting adults, right in the middle of what they expect to be a proud moment, when disaster befalls. The bride falls into the pool during the picture-taking session. The bridesmaid looks gorgeous and smiles beautifully, but trips on the aisle cloth. The swimmer boldly leaps off the high dive, but his graceful intentions turn into a painful belly smacker. The teenager yells, “Watch this!” as he pops a wheelie that goes embarrassingly wrong. Everyone laughs but feels a little discomfort and embarrassment vicariously. What were they thinking?

Overconfidence and pride are common in all of life and it has always been so. Wise Solomon warned as early as the 4th century B.C., “When pride goes, then comes disgrace.” It has always been so; it will always be so. The self-pride that leads to cockiness and a sense of invincibility lowers our inhibitions, silences warning bells, and sets us up for humiliation.

Solomon advised that the opposite is also true: “With humility comes wisdom.” Humble people don’t assume they know it all or have it all together. They listen for warning signs and red flags. They are humble and willing to hear the opinions of others—in fact, they seek the advice of others. Most especially they seek the wisdom of God.

Pride and humiliation or humility and wisdom? We get to choose.

• Father, not just for myself but for You, because as a believer I carry Your name, I ask for wisdom. I do not want my choices to bring disgrace on myself or my family, and I certainly do not want to defame Your name. Help me be humble enough to look for the flags, listen for the warning whispers, seek wisdom, and learn from You and others. Show me the way to go and help me have the courage and good sense to go that way. May the words of my mouth and the actions of my life add credibility to Your name to the people who watch me. Because of You and for You. Amen.