Pride

What constitutes a “proud” person? Pride is a sin that hides deep within us, only to emerge at the most unexpected times and places. It hardens the mind, refuses to hear the wisdom from anyone, and shifts one’s ultimate confidence above God and fellow man.

Examine the following and see if we have any of these signs of pride:

Unmet need for self-worth

  1. Need to be right all the time
  2. Argumentative
  3. Needing others to listen to us rather than first hearing others
  4. Quick to anger
  5. Lack of submissive to others
  6. Control
  7. Not easily corrected, unteachable
  8. Receiving correction but no changing
  9. Demanding to proclaim of title or degrees, stubborn
  10. Always comparing
  11. Always competitive

Another face of pride is self-righteousness “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.” (Luke 18:11). Self-righteousness is the arrogance that says, “My way is right, no other way is right.” It’s setting oneself above others and proclaiming oneself as better than others.

God opposes a proud, arrogant person. We must be humble enough to receive God’s help if we ever want to change.

Pride is difficult to detect because we use the word pride where we really mean value. The Lord knows who you are and can help you overcome this struggle; he loves you and will never leave you; let Him in.

Pride receives no pleasure in having something. It only enjoys having more. It is not content with being rich, only richer. It is not pleased to look good and pretty but desires to be better looking than anyone else. Comparison creates pride. Pride is the satisfaction of being above everyone else.

A person may think he is without pride, but what happens when someone doesn’t like you?

 

 

Prayer

Father, I come to You recognizing these attributes in my life. Deliver me from the spirit of pride and all of its forms. I humble myself before You at this moment, wanting to be free from the very thing You hate that is within me. Lord, set me free in Jesus’ name AMEN.

 
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