Pride is described as having a conceited, arrogant, exaggerated opinion of yourself. The Bible declares in Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” The greatest empires and kingdoms of history that collapsed fell ultimately because of pride.
Pride is a deceptive enemy that feels like it is building you up, when it is actually tearing you down. People that are filled with pride become a law unto themselves. They think they can do no wrong and refuse counsel. Pride is the root of all sin. Proverbs 16:17 reveals that a proud look is one of the sins God hates the most.
Proverbs 13:10
“By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom.”
Practical Application and Assignments:
It is frightening to think that pride can build walls so powerful they are almost impenetrable. Pride is a divisive monster that comes between nations, husbands and wives, parents and children, friends, and more important, our relationship with God. It keeps us from saying, “I’m sorry. I was wrong.”
- Learn to identify pride. It is an invisible enemy that can move in and not even be recognized until it has destroyed something irreplaceable, and maybe even everything we hold dear.
- Don’t try to deal with it by yourself. It requires repentance with an “I surrender all” submissive spirit. Only God can help us tear down the walls of pride and rebuild that which was lost.
- Listen to God’s Word: “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”
I John 2:16,17
“…God resists the proud.” James 4:6
