The Price of Pride

There are so many aspects of pride that sometimes we cannot see it is a problem for us. It is hard to be vulnerable and look within to see if there is anything that would be displeasing to the Lord. It brings great discomfort when we realize that we must acknowledge that yes, there is indeed something that we need to recognize, release and repent. It may hurt our pride – but that is a good thing.

Pride is ugly and the Bible has a lot of say about it. It is our pride that stops us from realizing that we have an issue with it. It is an epidemic in our society. It causes us to think too highly of ourselves. It leads us to stand in judgement of others. It creates the trap of comparison and triggers us to value our own opinions and jump to wrong assumptions. It makes us place unrealistic expectations on others and robs us of the blessing of humility.

Here are some scriptures to show the seriousness of pride…

· To fear the Lord is to hate evil. I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech. (Proverbs 8:13)

· When arrogance comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2)

· Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)

· A person’s pride will humble him but a humble spirit will gain honor. (Proverbs 29:23)

· Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished. (Proverbs 16:5)

· Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. (Proverbs 27:2)

· Do you see a person who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. (Proverbs 26:12)

Our self-righteousness and conceitedness hinder us from seeking God the way that we should. We overlook how greatly we need Him, because we think we can do and accomplish things on our own. We lose sight of how amazing His grace is because our pride blinds us to the reality that we could never be worthy of His love. We foolishly believe that we can gain control, when it is Him alone who controls everything.

In sharp contrast, humility reveals that God is good and in His goodness He has loved us and saved us. When we come to Him poor in spirit, like a beggar holding out our cup, it is He alone who can fill it. It is Him that we need; Him that we are to worship; and Him that receives all the glory.

· Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. (James 4:10)

· Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, (Philippians 2:3-5)

· Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)

So, what are we to take away from all of this? Pride is costly. It is our taking credit when all credit is due Him. It is glorifying ourselves when all glory and all praise is His. It is self-worship instead of worshiping the One True God.

This week let’s ask God to help us recognize our own pride. The bold and ugly parts and the subtle parts that may go unnoticed. (Don’t think about all the prideful people you know. Look within and recognize that you, too, are one.) Let’s be brave enough to recognize it and to admit it - confessing it to God and asking for His forgiveness. Once we do that, it is time to release it – letting go of our former ways. And finally repenting – or turning away from our prideful ways and stepping into humility.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.(Philippians 2:5-11 NKJV)

Is pride a struggle for you? I get it. If you would like to chat about what keeps tripping you up, click the button below and let’s schedule a time to connect.

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