Pride, Division, and God’s Mercy

Good morning, brothers and fellow Patriarchs.

If mankind started with Adam, why do we all look, sound, and think so differently? This question came up in a conversation I recently had with an atheist mate. We grappled in conversation, which was great for both of us. But you know what else I grapple with every day? My pride.

Yep, classic man move. But don’t mistake pride for strength.

Strength is standing at the door when your house is threatened.

Pride, on the other hand, is standing there with just your fists because you think you're the strongest, wisest, and best-looking guy around (in our heads, at least, right?).

Anyway, let’s dig into how we all became different—and tackle a conversation on pride this week. Sound good?

Genesis 11:4 -  ⁴ Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”

Read Genesis 11: 1 - 9

Recently, I was chatting with a mate about where we all come from—different languages, cultures, appearances. He’s an atheist and sees human diversity as the outcome of evolution, with people gradually developing their own languages and identities. I joked with him “Oh great, an evolutionist!”. When he asked me, “So, what do you think happened?” I shared the story of the Tower of Babel.

According to Genesis 11, humanity once shared one language. United, they settled in Babylon and decided to build a city with a massive tower “that reaches to the heavens” to make a name for themselves. This wasn’t just ambition; it was pride—an attempt to go their own way, to live without God, directly disobeying His command to spread out over the earth.

This story struck a chord with me. In Babel, humanity was saying, “We don’t need You, God. We can do this ourselves.” It’s the same pride that’s been there since the beginning, from the fall in Eden to Cain’s jealousy. God’s response to this pride? He came down to see the city they were building and decided to scatter them by confusing their language. Suddenly, they couldn’t understand each other, so they abandoned the project and spread across the earth, just as God had originally commanded (Genesis 9:1) .

My friend argued that, if we’re all scattered, why do we look different? And honestly, I see some overlap with his view here. I believe that as God scattered people, they adapted to new lands and climates. Different appearances, dialects, and cultures emerged, shaped by their surroundings over time. This diversity, from where I stand, is part of God’s design—His mercy in giving humanity different ways to thrive and flourish across the earth.

This story of Babel reminds us that God doesn’t leave us to our own pride. He doesn’t let us spiral into ruin. By scattering humanity, God disrupted prideful unity and prevented self-destruction. Babel wasn’t just about confusion; it was about mercy, allowing people to develop unique identities, languages, and cultures.

The amazing part? God didn’t stop with scattering; He opened a way for real unity through Christ. Today, we find true connection and purpose, not by building towers to our own greatness (guilty!), but by aligning with Him. Babel challenges us as men to consider where we might be trying to “make a name” for ourselves without God, and invites us back into unity with Him—a unity that’s stronger, deeper, and meant for eternity.

Where are you trying to make a name for yourself at the moment? Career? Finances? Marriage? Parenthood? At the pub?

The story of Babel is about the root of our desire to live independently of God. We often want to "make a name for ourselves" without recognizing how much we need Him. Let’s take a moment this week to assess where we might be building our “towers”—where pride or independence might be keeping us from a closer relationship with God.

Boom just when you thought you were walking well with Jesus, boom - the ol’ Pride arrow gets ya!

This week’s legendary man is Samuel Morris !

Who Was He?

• Samuel Morris was born Prince Kaboo in Liberia around 1873, the son of a tribal chieftain.

• After being captured and held for ransom by a rival tribe, he had a miraculous escape, which he credited to a vision of Jesus.

• He converted to Christianity, took the name Samuel Morris, and dedicated his life to sharing the gospel.

His Achievements

• After hearing about a missionary named Stephen Merritt in America, Samuel traveled there with the hope of learning more about the Holy Spirit.

• His journey to the United States was remarkable—he worked as a laborer on a ship, enduring harsh conditions and evangelizing to the crew along the way.

• Attended Taylor University in Indiana, where his passion and devotion to Christ inspired students, faculty, and local communities, sparking a revival.

• Inspired many to pursue missionary work, especially in Africa, as people were moved by his humble, fervent faith and trust in God.

How Jesus Transformed Him

• Samuel’s faith was rooted in his miraculous escape and deep spiritual encounters, which gave him an unshakeable belief in God’s power and provision.

• His humility and dedication challenged those around him to pursue a closer relationship with Jesus.

• Despite language and cultural barriers, Samuel’s witness was so compelling that it led to conversions and a renewed focus on missions.

The Power of His Faith

• Samuel’s life was brief—he passed away at only 20 due to illness—but his impact was profound. Taylor University named a dormitory after him, and his story continues to inspire missionaries.

• His journey from an African village to an American university symbolized his fearless dedication to spreading the gospel, regardless of obstacles.

• Samuel Morris’s life is a testament to how God can use anyone, from any background, to touch countless lives for Christ, demonstrating that faith knows no cultural or geographical boundaries.

Father God, I acknowledge my pride as a man. I’m often trying to do things my way, solve problems by myself, and make myself greater where I can. Lord, I seek to know you and love you more, so please help me remove the pride from my life. I pray that every day I wake up knowing that my pride is around the corner, but that I have my almighty God to help me overcome it. Father, thank you for Jesus, and the mercy you have shown us despite our pride through His death and resurrection. We praise you for your everlasting love, and salvation.

In Jesus name. Amen