PRIDEPRIDE

““As long as you’re proud you can’t know God. A proud man is As long as you’re proud you can’t know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people: of course, as long as always looking down on things and people: of course, as long as you’re looking down you can’t see something that’s above you.” you’re looking down you can’t see something that’s above you.” C.S. Lewis

Pride is a dangerous emotion and can eventually lead us to destructive Pride is a dangerous emotion and can eventually lead us to destructive behavior. There are several areas in our life where we allow pride to take behavior. There are several areas in our life where we allow pride to take precedent over our life, and most of the time we don’t even know it – this is how precedent over our life, and most of the time we don’t even know it – this is how pride works in a person. Pride is an excessive high opinion of one self and can pride works in a person. Pride is an excessive high opinion of one self and can lead to much destruction in our dealings with others lead to much destruction in our dealings with others and in our relationship with God. and in our relationship with God.

Scriptural Application:Scriptural Application: Pro 16:18:Pro 16:18: The Bible says that pride precedes and produces destruction. First The Bible says that pride precedes and produces destruction. First pride, then the crash-- the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.pride, then the crash-- the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.

Pride keeps us from admitting our wrongs:Pride keeps us from admitting our wrongs:Have you ever been confronted and rebuked about a mistake or a fault be it Have you ever been confronted and rebuked about a mistake or a fault be it deliberate or not? Sometimes because of our pride it’s hard to admit we messed deliberate or not? Sometimes because of our pride it’s hard to admit we messed up, but by admission we sometimes realize that we are sorry for that action. It up, but by admission we sometimes realize that we are sorry for that action. It takes our heart to break down in humility before we can admit we stuffed up or takes our heart to break down in humility before we can admit we stuffed up or were wrong in our actions. It is great when confronted that we can appreciate it..were wrong in our actions. It is great when confronted that we can appreciate it..

Pride blinds us to our faults:Pride blinds us to our faults:Pride keeps us from noticing our own faults. Perhaps we get into Pride keeps us from noticing our own faults. Perhaps we get into an argument with a friend/spouse and we think it is their entire an argument with a friend/spouse and we think it is their entire fault because we don’t have any faults. But everyone has faults fault because we don’t have any faults. But everyone has faults and weaknesses. How can we have good relationships if we and weaknesses. How can we have good relationships if we think were better than others or if we think we do everything think were better than others or if we think we do everything right? We like to show others their faults, or we like to talk behind right? We like to show others their faults, or we like to talk behind people’s backs and judge them, but that’s not our job. people’s backs and judge them, but that’s not our job. Pro 16:25: Pro 16:25: There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of it is the ways of death.of it is the ways of death.

Pride Is An Obstacle To Our FaithPride Is An Obstacle To Our FaithPride keeps us believing in our house, money, status, career, Pride keeps us believing in our house, money, status, career, etc. If we allow pride to rule our heart, we will feel the need to etc. If we allow pride to rule our heart, we will feel the need to match a certain status quo in society – its called the “keep up match a certain status quo in society – its called the “keep up with the Joneses” attitude. Pride has a way of hardening our with the Joneses” attitude. Pride has a way of hardening our hearts and then we reject Christ for our life. Pride is definitely an hearts and then we reject Christ for our life. Pride is definitely an obstacle to our faith in Christ. obstacle to our faith in Christ. 

1 Timothy:1 Timothy: “… “…for the love of money is the root of all kinds of for the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wondered from the evil. Some people, eager for money, have wondered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs…”faith and pierced themselves with many griefs…”

Pride Makes Us Self-RighteousPride Makes Us Self-RighteousIt causes us to be hateful and bitter towards others and keeps us from wanting to It causes us to be hateful and bitter towards others and keeps us from wanting to learn anything from God for our life. Don’t let pride in your achievements cut you learn anything from God for our life. Don’t let pride in your achievements cut you off from God. Your achievements are because of God.  Human Beings off from God. Your achievements are because of God.  Human Beings are attracted to acceptance and genuine respect, they are attracted to acceptance and genuine respect, they are repelled by rejection and an air of superiority.are repelled by rejection and an air of superiority.

Pride is an ingredient in every argument:Pride is an ingredient in every argument:Why do we fuss, fight, quarrel, and always have to be Why do we fuss, fight, quarrel, and always have to be right? Pride does this to us. Pride keeps us protected where no one can come in right? Pride does this to us. Pride keeps us protected where no one can come in and tell us what to do or how to live or how to behave – we already know all this and tell us what to do or how to live or how to behave – we already know all this stuff, right? The next time you are in an argument with stuff, right? The next time you are in an argument with a loved one, smile and walk away and see how good that a loved one, smile and walk away and see how good that feels. How about saying, I was wrong”, or “I need advice”. feels. How about saying, I was wrong”, or “I need advice”. 

Proverbs 13:10:Proverbs 13:10: Pride only breeds quarrels, Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

Often we become so concerned with what people do Often we become so concerned with what people do and don’t do. Their behaviors rather than their personal and don’t do. Their behaviors rather than their personal needs. When people needs. When people perceive they are accepted for who they areperceive they are accepted for who they are, irrespective , irrespective of what they have done or will do, then they are open to friendship or influenceof what they have done or will do, then they are open to friendship or influence

Pride Keeps Us From Asking Others For Help Or AdvicePride Keeps Us From Asking Others For Help Or AdviceHave you ever known someone who is so proud they won’t ask for help or advice, Have you ever known someone who is so proud they won’t ask for help or advice, even if they really need the help! Next time you’re in need of help, advice, or just even if they really need the help! Next time you’re in need of help, advice, or just want to get a second opinion on something, don’t let pride stand in the way of want to get a second opinion on something, don’t let pride stand in the way of your asking one of your fellow Christians for help. They will be glad to offer any your asking one of your fellow Christians for help. They will be glad to offer any service they can if it will aid in your trust and confidence in the Lord. service they can if it will aid in your trust and confidence in the Lord. 

Luke 18: 11-14:Luke 18: 11-14: The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself” ‘God, I thank The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself” ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men – robbers, evildoers, adulterers-or even like the you that I am not like other men – robbers, evildoers, adulterers-or even like the tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breasts stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breasts and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted.be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted.  

Have a blessed Have a blessed day!day!