(This article was originally posted March 1, 2012)
Some Reasons Why God Hates Pride
“There are only two safe places for a Christian—in the dust and in heaven. And of the two the dust is safer, for Satan fell from heaven,” said a wise man.
Pride was the first sin to destroy the calm of eternity. It was pride that cast Lucifer from heaven and it was pride that cost our first parents their place in Paradise. Pride is the first sin to enter a man’s heart and the last to leave. No sin is more offensive to God than the sin of pride. Pride has been referred to as the “complete anti-God state of mind.” It militates against God’s authority, God’s law, and God’s rule. This is why the Bible equates rebellion with witchcraft (1 Sam. 15:23). Pride assaults God’s throne and asserts its independence in an attempt to dislodge God as the Sovereign of the universe.
God and pride are like oil and water— they don’t mix! Pride is dogmatic in its antagonism to God and God is absolute in His opposition to pride. The Creator never has and never will compromise with pride.
Humility is the foundation of all virtue, but pride is the essence of all sin. The world system operates on the basis of pride for all that is in the world is lust and pride (1 John 2:16). Pride and lust are root sins from which all other sins spring. Pride is the mother of evil.
God detests pride. He even hates a proud look (Prov. 6:16-17). God’s loathing of pride is unalterable, for “Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD” (Prov. 16:5). But why does God hate pride so fiercely?
Pride is Satanic
Never forget that God did not make the Devil—Lucifer only became the devil when he arrogantly became infatuated with himself. Yes, Lucifer is a created being. God said, “Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee” (Ezek. 28:15). This beautiful, powerful, intelligent, and gifted cherub fell from his perfect estate when his heart was lifted up because of his own beauty and brightness (v. 17). No longer was he willing to be subservient to the Creator. Staggering pride was to blame for the tragedy in heaven.
“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! … For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne … I will sit also upon the mount … I will ascend above the heights…I will be like the most High” (Isa. 14:12-14).
Self-will displaced God’s will, and the Devil emerged. It has been said, “Man is never more like the Devil than when he is full of self-will.” The Bible strictly forbids placing a novice in leadership, “lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil” (1 Tim. 3:6). It was pride that caused Lucifer’s fall and subsequent condemnation. The snare of pride is a deadly peril to which new converts should never be willfully subjected. Nothing does more to set a person out of the devil’s reach than humility.
Pride Spawns Prayerlessness
Once Solomon had completed the Temple, the Lord instructed Israel on the proper way to approach Him in times of judgment. If the heavens withheld rain on account of their sins, or disobedience caused God to send pestilence among His people, then they were to pray toward the Lord’s house. But even before they prayed, turned from their wicked ways, or sought the face of God they needed to first humble themselves (2 Chron. 7:14). God required the people who were called by His name to humble themselves before they prayed or repented. So why does humility precede prayer? Why does humility come before turning from wicked ways?
The reason humility precedes prayer is because there can be no real prayer without humility. Proverbs speaks of the man who brazenly turns his ear from the law, “Even his prayer shall be abomination” (28:9). Prayerlessness is the very first sign of pride. It has been said, “God’s power will never fall until we do.” Proud people don’t pray. In fact, the only people who pray are those who need God, know they need God, and can’t go on without God. Humility is the altar on which God wishes us to offer Him sacrifices.
Pride Brings Conflict
Why are there so many splintered relationships, so many broken marriages, and church splits? The Scripture gives us the short answer, “Only by pride cometh contention” (Prov. 13:10). Just as surely as pride erects a barrier between us and God, it also builds a wall between us and others. Whereas love seeks to build a bridge, pride seeks to erect a wall.
Pride can keep you from apologizing when you’ve been wrong. Pride can cause you to defend yourself. Pride can cause you to look down on others. If you allow it, pride can rob you of the most treasured relationships in life. “He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife” (Prov. 28:25).
Humbling ourselves is the only way to get the roof off toward God and the walls down toward our fellow man. Once offences have been committed, whether intentional or unintentional, they must be dealt with. “I was wrong. I am sorry. Will you forgive me?” are healing words that only a humble soul would use. Whenever you find a man willing to humble himself before God and man, you have found a man who will be exalted, because “humility comes before honor.”
Pride Results in Gossip
“Thou shalt hide them … from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them … from the strife of tongues” (Ps. 31:20). Evil speaking, slander, and gossip are the direct result of pride. This comes as no surprise since the word “devil” comes from the word diabalos which means slanderer. One of the Puritans said, “He that receives a slander carries the devil in his ear and he that commits a slander carries the devil in his tongue.” Where Satan doesn’t go personally, he sends a critic.
Once a Sunday School teacher gave a lesson on the parable of the Pharisee and the publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed with himself thanking God he was not like other men: “adulterers, extortioners, and publicans.” The teacher really blasted the Pharisee because of his proud, condemning attitude. He was glorying in the fact that he was better than common sinners—“not as other men.” As the class ended the teacher said, “Students, let’s bow our heads now and thank the Lord we’re not like that Pharisee!”
Before a man can look down on another he must first assume he is better than the person he is speaking against. A proud man is suspicious of everyone else. A humble man is more suspicious of his own heart than anyone else. The proud heart will detect defects in others before himself. A humble soul sees the evil in his own heart before he sees evil in others.
Wesley said, “Gossip is anything you would say about someone that you wouldn’t say if they were standing in front of you.” The only reason for character assassination, or making an unfavorable comparison, is to exalt one’s own self. Before speaking against a fellow human being one must first establish himself as a judge. This maligning of character can only be explained in terms of pride. The connection between pride and slander is clearly seen in Psalm 101, “Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer” (v. 5).
Pride is Deceptive
A young man responded at the invitation and told his pastor that he had come to rededicate his life to the Lord. The pastor replied, “Wonderful! Just kneel there at the pew and confess your sins to God.” To which the man replied, “Pastor, I can’t think of any sins to confess.” The pastor then said, “Son, just guess at it.” And you know what? The young man got it right on the first try! Pride is not just thinking we are better than others, it is thinking we are better than we are.
Pride is the disposition to exalt self, get above others, and conceal defects. Ever since the Fall man has had the tendency to confess someone else’s sins instead of his own. This is hardly surprising since the heart of man is “deceitful above all things” (Jer. 17:9). And the reason man’s heart is so deceitful is because of inborn haughtiness. “Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart” (Jer. 49:16). Contrary to popular thinking, we are not good people who happen to do bad things—we are sinners through and through. And it is the deceptive nature of pride which brings such reluctance to admit our sins.
Pride Makes a False Boast
Samson killed a lion with his bare hands and didn’t even tell his parents. Spurgeon commented if a modern Christian so much as killed a mouse he would publish it in the gospel gazette! Man may be reluctant to acknowledge his wrongs, but most are quick to publicize their accomplishments. “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness” (Prov. 20:6).
The Bible warns us about thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought. No man has a right to an inflated view of himself. Under the influence of pride a man takes on the air of a master. He is more likely to instruct others than inquire for himself. A humble Christian wants help from everybody, but the spiritually proud thinks everybody wants his help.
The proud man believes he has accomplished what God and others have accomplished in him. He seeks credit for things which he cannot rightly take credit. Talent, intellect, abilities, health, and life itself are gifts from God.
The Bible says it is of God’s mercy that we are not consumed. It is of God’s love that we have been drawn to Him. It is because of His everlasting arms being under us that we are kept. It is by His faith that we are saved. It is by His blood that we are cleansed. It is by His righteousness that we are clothed. It is by His power that we are kept. It is by His grace that we are sustained. It is by His intercession that we are delivered. It is by His goodness that we are led to repentance. It is by His indwelling Spirit that we are filled. All that God has for His people is from the Father, all is through the Son, and all is by the Holy Spirit. Of what can we boast?
Once Spurgeon had preached a powerful sermon. As soon as he had finished his message the devil whispered to him, “That was a fine sermon. You preached magnificently!” For a moment he agreed with the devil. Leaving the pulpit, a deacon met him and said, “Pastor that was a masterpiece.” Spurgeon interrupted and said, “You’re too late. The devil told me that a few moments ago.”
Pride Brings Shame
Culture is the externalization of religion. So when a culture calls good evil and evil good it indicates corrupt religion[s] dominate[s] that society. Never doubt that all men worship something; if not the true God, then they will worship something else, or themselves. The President proclaimed June as Gay Pride Month. Biblically, it should have been dubbed Gay Shame Month. Our society glories in things of which it should be ashamed.
Three factors contributed to the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah. “This was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness” (Eze. 16:49). Note carefully that pride was the foundation from which homosexuality sprang. “When pride cometh, then cometh shame” (Prov. 11:2).
After his journey through the valley of humiliation Nebuchadnezzar realized, “Those that walk in pride he is able to abase” (Dan. 4:37). He surely learned the proverb, “A man’s pride shall bring him low” (Prov. 29:23).
Pride Precedes a Fall
Those who built the Titanic pronounced the great ship unsinkable. With boldness and confidence they boasted of the great safety this vessel afforded. But on its maiden voyage the unsinkable ship sank. The Titanic mentality of invincibility sets the stage for collapse. “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty” (Prov. 18:12).
Repeatedly, the scripture warns of pride precipitating a fall. “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18). “The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted” (Isa. 2:11). Uzziah was greatly blessed and marvelously helped, “till he was strong. But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction” (2 Chron. 26:15-16). He transgressed by entering the temple to offer incense on the altar. When confronted by the priests, Uzziah became furious. While he was holding the censer in his hand God smote him and leprosy rose up in his forehead. He lost the throne and was a leper the rest of his life.
God not only dwells in the high and holy place. He also dwells with him “that is of a contrite and humble spirit” (Isa. 57:15). The man who sits nearest the dust sits nearest heaven. It is the valley of humiliation that leads to the mount of transfiguration. He that is low need fear no fall. No wonder Andrew Murray said, “Welcome everything that helps you on toward humility.”
Toward Humility
Listing the sins of pride could go on and on. Its pervasiveness cannot be overstated. Haughtiness, arrogance, conceit, inordinate self-esteem, and vainglory are as common as the air we breathe. Pride is a sin to be hated, a sin to be confessed, a sin to mourn over, a sin to flee, and a sin to fight against. William Law commented, “Pride must die, or nothing of heaven can live in you.” God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.
Humility is the royal insignia that marks God’s true people even though it is the saint’s hardest conflict. The first step toward becoming humble is realizing we are proud. Then we must take the witness stand against ourselves and plead “guilty as charged.” Continually, we must bring pride to the foot of the cross to be washed away by the blood of Jesus. Surveying the wondrous cross surely makes it easier to pour contempt on all our pride. Even though pride is hateful to God, the powerful blood of Jesus can cleanse it away.
If pride is the evil of evils, then humility is the virtue of virtues. Like the pearl of great price, it is worth selling all to obtain. Humility is our responsibility. Humility is a choice, and so is pride. How do you plead?
This article was originally posted in 2011 on our website – www.christlifemin.org
This is marvelous!
GOD is great. Thank you so much.
As we renounce pride and seek to humble ourselves by choice and deliverance, humility grows within ourselves and deep within our hearts.
“Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness” (Prov. 20:6). Is that pride or is that the result of pride? Is arrogance pride, or is it the result of pride? Is conceit, indifference, apathy, or an exalted opinion of oneself pride, or are they the result of pride? All people have the spirit of pride because we are all born with it, but we cannot see it in ourselves because most people truly are not arrogant, conceited, indifferent, apathetic, or have an exalted opinion of themselves. So how can this be? If we have the spirit of pride, then how can we not see it? Perhaps because we do not really know what it is.
That write-up of the importance of humility..awesome
Pride prohibits repentance.
what a blessed article and what an eye opener. Thank you it’ll keep me going on the road to heaven.
Be blessed my fellow runners in JESUS CHRIST Amen
This article is very inspiring and encouraging.
Great Article!!!
Very succinct article, concise summary of an issue that has plagued men and angels through all time. So many, (most all of us) unwittingly succumb to it and embrace it! Again, I appreciate the very complete and to the point treatment of such a critical issue. Thank you!
To God Almighty be the glory i was truly bless thanks much keep the good work
Hello, I’ve been a dedicated Christian for a quite a while now. Sadly one of the greatest sins
I struggle with each day is pride. I’m extremely intelligent and get very high marks. I tend to understand complicated mathematics quite easily (Only by the gift of God). I’m not trying to bee
prideful when I say that but it feels as if I take too much pride and put too much reliance
on my own intellect. I know God is infinitely more intelligent and I owe to him my very existence. But whenever I get something that others struggle in, that’s when I take pride in myself. What do you recommend? Sometimes I desire to be the most intelligent and compare my own intelligence against that of others in the academic program I’m in.
What do you recommend doing to overcome this filthy sinful pride of mine?
Thanks for your comments. There is a universal issue with all mankind, saved or not. You may benefit from listening to my message “Roadblock to Revival”. A link to this recording has been added at the conclusion of The Great Sin. Also, consider the other resources listed there.
Blessings on you!
Harold Vaughan
Great article. May I share your link on my Facebook profile?
AMEN
Thanks for a great piece on pride. After reading James 4:6 for the 1000th time it hit me that when God resist the proud its not a passive resistance but one that includes His chastising wrath. My thought was, I can deal with being resisted by a number of people but did not want to be resisted by a Holy God, the God who owns and holds my next breath in His Hands(Job 12:10, Dan 5:23). It wasn’t a hard decision, for me, to begin to seek to be broken by God of my sin of pride. So that became my prayer. “Lord break me, remove pride from my life and make me humble” People told me how brave I was to pray such a scary prayer. My reply, how is it scary to put ourself in the Hands and care of the Lord. If we truly belong to Him, then He is going to break us one way or another, even if it kills us. So my thought was…..just submit, just surrender to what He is doing to do anyway(Phil 1:6). Isn’t that what we are to do if we really love Him, trust and obey? Shouldn’t we desire to be like Him, to be Holy as He is Holy, to seek to be conformed to the image of His Son who suffered, shed His precious blood, hanging on a cross? Isn’t it reasonable to submit to Him as our Lord, isn’t it the very least we can do(Rom 12:1-3) in view of all He has done and still doing for us? What is so scary about that? Aren’t we told to Mortify(1st degree murder)our flesh? Should we think that’s a painless process? Yes, our flesh resist suffering but since its our deadly enemy, it has to die and we”re instructed to fulfill that contract(Rom 8:13, Col 3:5). Amen? So asking God to break us is scary to our flesh but “we” will not be left broken(1 Pet 5:5-11) He is in the business of restoration(Job 5:17-19) an remains faithful to complete what He starts(Phil 1:6). So in view of he fact that He did shed His own blood to redeem us, so we no longer belong to ourselves but are now His slaves, slaves of righteousness. He did satisfy the wrath of God, that we so justly deserved, as our substitute, He did pay the penalty for our sin so we don’t have to etc. etc.. Didn’t we repent an confess Him with our mouth that He is “Lord”(Master)and believe with our hearts that God raised Him from the dead in order to be saved(Rom 10:9-11)? So, in view of these wonderful powerful facts, shouldn’t we gladly, willingly, with great joy, thankfully ask God to “please please” break us…. of our sin, our pride? Shouldn’t we be willing to trust our life(which belongs completely to Him) under the Potters Hands, shouldn’t we be willing to allow Him to mold and shape us into vessel’s of honor? I mean, you do want to be a vessel of honor, right? So submit and cry out to God to make me Holy, Conform me to the image of His only Son, Jesus Christ, and Lord, I trust you to do whatever it takes, and that however you choose to mold me, I’m confident that Your Grace is sufficient, and your strength is made perfect in weakness(II Cor 12:9-10, Heb 12:1-11)
In reading a number of comments, It grieves my heart that upon reading this powerful piece on pride and the call to humility that some people spoke of how “others” need to read this. How the “other” person doesn’t realize they have pride and how their concerned how that person will respond if they send them a copy of this article. But these people didn’t seem to think this was for them, at least they didn’t mentioned themselves an how they realized their pride. Allow me to offer a word of rebuke, reproof, correction and instruction(Col 3:16, 2 Thess 3:15, 2 Tim 3:16-17, ) Since God in His Sovereignty and Providence brought you to this site and you read this article, let me suggest that He meant it for you. I myself have been guilty of doing the same thing and even now I have to be very aware of this in my life. It is so easy to think of others when we hear or read something so powerful like this. But I can assure you, that if you read it, an/or head it, it is meant for you only, at that time. It is pride in itself to consider anyone else except yourself in this situation. God is calling “you” to confession and repentance. This message is for you alone. Scripture is very clear about judging others unrighteously, and about removing the beam in your eye first(Matt 7:1-5). Next, we are commanded to exam our selfs(Ps 119:59, Lam 3:39-42, Ezkek 18:27-28, Haggai 1:5-7, I Cor 11:27-31, II Cor 13:1-6, Gal 6:1-5). Then, its not our job but God the Holy Spirit who gives the increase, to teach, to convict of sin(Jn 16:7-15, 1 Cor 3:5-8). Now this is not to say that the Lord can’t use you to minister to the “other” person or persons. Even to send them a copy of this article but before any of us try to convict, confront, or restore anybody it must be done according to the Word. You must be right before God, you MUST be humble, we must be walking in the spirit, living a life of obedience and it MUST be done in love.(Gal 6:1-10, Eph 1-6) . We must begin with self examination to confess our known sin followed by repentance and then a prayer requesting that God search our hearts and cleanse and purify us before seeking to correct others, because our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked and only God knows the depth of the evil in our hearts(Jer 17:9, Ps 139:23-24). My prayer in these situations of confronting others is always to seek God’s will first and foremost. How do I know He wants to use “me” and not someone else or if He has another way He wants to move, that we can’t even imagine, to reach this person. His ways and thoughts are not our ways and are much higher than ours(Isa 55:8-9). Amen? So, pray for these people faithfully, diligently, love them and seek God’s will but first remove the beam from your own eye. Don’t waste this very powerful message on pride and humility by Harold Vaughan, by allowing it to pass “you” by. Seek God to show “you” “your” pride(its not a question of “if we have pride” but “where is it”) and then ask the Lord to have His way in removing it from “your” life, cry out to Him to make “you” humble. The Christian life is serious warfare and our enemies are deadly(1 Jn 2:15-17) We must remain ever diligent in carrying out search and destroy missions to find and murder pride(sin) when and wherever it shows its ugly head.
Much Love, Grace and Peace,
Daniel
Hi Daniel!
I felt I needed to respond to your post. I was one of those that mentioned giving this article to a brother I am having some issues with. I think I made it clear that I am so guilty of this sin myself. I lead a Bible study and this sin of commission is many times oblivious to the one committing it, me first and foremost. God continues to chastise me in many areas of my walk as I continue to look in to the mirror of His Word and for that I am most grateful! I know He loves me! Pride is the biggie! Oh my goodness! Because of a serious misinterpretation of scripture years ago, I was once convinced that I couldn’t sin! I was a self-righteous twit and, at times, I still am. An absolutely ugly person to be around, slashing people with my self-righteous tongue! That is an understatement! I have numerous times each day when He shows me how I still have this gigantic log in my eye. I will make a comment or statement or have a thought and the Holy Spirit writes me up with a conviction notice sometimes before I open my mouth but not always. Slow to speak, quick to listen and slow to anger is one of my favorite, most needed verses. That being said, I have such a love for this brother that I feel moved to talk to him about it. About half of the folks in this study are not believers and I don’t think it’s ever appropriate to do the “I thank God I’m not like those sinners” thing. God tells us that if someone sins against us, we are to go to them talk about it. Admit it, most of us can be very offended if we are on the receiving end of that conversation. I feel that your post might have been directed at me and if it is that’s ok. As long as we do things in love, it will turn out as it should. I must look like I am trying to support my original post and I am. There was another instance this morning in our study and I need to say something because it is causing some really bad feelings with others in the study. I would appreciate your prayers and any advice you might have. God bless and, again, this post by Harold has been a tremendous blessing to me and many others. Brother Daniel, I love you and your closing…Much Love, Grace and Peace to you also!
Dear Daniel.
I just liked your commentary and would like to know which church you go to, I have been looking for a church for quite some time.
I agree with this commentary. Although some would say the last sin listed in Proverbs 6: 17-19 that God abhorred was the worst sin, pride is one that affects a beginning with Him, a relationship, and ultimately a place with Him in the end. All have there place of disease in the body of Christ and are all very cancerous. God hates them all. Maybe pride is just the one I have to deal with the most in my own personal life.
Yes pride are very dangerious to have but humble mind and hearts the lord wil love and give grace and rich life ith first be born of the HOly Spirit in confes our sin and repent in Jesus name and blood wil lwash aways sin and give heavenly life with joy and and the power and refuge from the fire of hell and living already today very well blessed life with peace and in thanksgiving with favor of God,thanks and bless,keijo sweden
Thanks for this wonderful and powerful message I can see the spirit of God moving as am reading this word of libration. God will exault himself in your ministry and family.
The first of the “seven deadly sins”…. Pride.
Going back many years, unknowing that people that were arrogant, had other problems,
issues in their personality. Difficult to interface with when sharing thoughts.
God, himself does not lead anybody into temptation. He doesn’t. It becomes your choice on what YOU want to do. Freedom of thought. A gift to humans for God to see what kind of person, you chose , to be.
Thank you for your word, it really help me. Praise the LORD for the wisdom he give us.
I read a lot about myself just now in this message. It is very humbling to read how much the Father tolerates me. Lord God of heaven and earth forgive my pride
As a follower of Pauline tradition, I really love this article very much.
Romans 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
John 2:16 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.
God indeed hates pride, he will never compromise on pride. “Where then is boasting?” is what Saint Paul asks, indicating that the gentiles are apart from the works of the law and are not saved due to their actions or works but they are saved and redeemed by the grace of the Holy Father. As a Gentile Christian, I cannot boast anything of myself.
Very nice post, Thanks.
This was a very helpful article; biblically based. Thank you.
I had a recent unexpected fallout with my brother and this morning I was asking the Lord to help me pray for him – I couldnt figure out what had happened or why. I heard a whisper ‘pride’. I asked again how to pray for my brother, what is wrong and then i heard ‘he has the sin of pride’. I have never heard of pride phrased like that and i looked it up and there is such a thing. Thank you for your writing. I am in awe that God loves us enough to answer, and that He gives us guides to help. Now I know which stronghold to pray against for my family. Thank you for allowing the Lord to use you to post this to help others on their journey. God bless your work.
Do not give a copy of this to your brother or someone else that you are having problems with because that would be an accusation and a judgement of them. God does not need our help to point out another’s sin! That is only for God to do. It is doubtful that God would even tell us what the sin of another person is, and not our own. God is not a slanderer or gossiper. He will reveal our own sin. But he also will help us to forgive. When we pray about a difficult relationship, we should not be asking God what is wrong with them. We should be asking God to remove the log from our eye, not the splinter from theirs. If we have a sin that is contributing to problems in the relationship, God will tell us. We can only repent of our own sin, and forgive others if we feel they have harmed us.
Hi Dana! Wow! This has been an amazing thread and original article! I actually printed off copies of this and used it in our study. It got pretty heated with the person that I thought would benefit from the article. Again, let me say, I did too! Notice I didn’t just give it to him. It was first given to me by the brother that wrote the article. I was blessed to tears! I know I have a real struggle with pride! I was having a real struggle with how to kill the gossip coming from this one individual. He was so upset, he got up and walked out and on the way out, he started saying things about how poor of a pastor we have and what a terrible teacher he was. I was thrilled the next day when this guy was at the study! We have had fallouts before and they actually end up bringing us closer in Christ! That was an answer to prayer! There are times that I must go to him and apologize and visa versa. Believe me, God continues to reveal sin in my life and I am grateful! I know He loves me! We took a break yesterday from the topic but hit it again this morning, this time about pride in the church in general…how we tend to divide over non-essentials. He and I have done this in the past so we are both shaking our heads in agreement. Overall, it has been tough but uniting all of us in Jesus with this study was more than worth the tension. God is so good! I know there are different opinions on this subject but I would rather have a brother in Christ come to me and help me see the plank in my eye than turning around too quickly and knocking everybody out with a big timber! Thanks again!
Good article. I am stunned by the person who said (in reference to gays) that we need to be more accepting? Really? God does not accept unrepentant sinners, and sadly this is what most homosexuals are. I am thankful for those homosexual brothers and sisters who deny the lusts of the flesh (as we all must do!). Those who take pride in their shame (you should recognize this biblical reference) are NOT accepted by God and Jesus’ sacrifice does not atone for their sins. What does God desire? “A contrite heart”. Gay pride parades do not say “God forgive me, I am a sinner”. We ALL must repent…not live a life of sin and say “oh God will forgive me anyways”. To “sugar-coat” the message of the gospel to make it seem politically correct is a very dangerous thing for the writer and the reader.
Pride is not coming from God, coming from devil
I thought this was a fairly insightful teaching about pride, until I read the part about being gay, are you really sure you want to take the prideful position that gay folks should be ashamed of the way they are? We Christian folks need to get it together on humility when it comes to acceptance of our gay brothers and sisters and that they created by God and are just like us-trying, failing, succeeding in living a life with God and Christ. Let’s be humble, not judgmental and generous-filled with Grace.
I thought it was solid, the homosexuals are in sin & it is NEVER pleasing to God.
I have been operating in pride it seems now most every day of my life, even after accepting Jesus as my savior. My prophet identified this sin in me, and now I truly know the depth of God’s anger toward it. I repent and seek his mercy on me. I did not realize how and why it was such a sin to operate in it. Thank you for making it plain and providing these scriptures to meditate on. Fighting the good fight
…
Thank you for your obedience in sharing these truths about pride. It was as if Abba Father sat down with me and we had a long talk this morning. Our God is an awesome God!
Thank you so much for this article. I cried as I read it. I am currently having a bit of a fallout with a brother because of this issue. I pray that he won’t get mad at me if I give him this article. He doesn’t believe that he is prideful in any way. I have another one by C.S. Lewis that also explains this evil sin. I so hate sin in my life because I know it does not bring God glory…of course! Your section on lack of prayer really hit home with me. It’s only recently that I have begun to pray sincerely to my Lord and I am so thankful that He uses His love as an anesthetic during the operation by The Great Physician! Thank you again!
Can I use your writings in a bible study group.
Great stuff! I was wondering if you could write a piece on the relationship between pride and unforgiveness. Remember this sin permeates itself just as good as the sin of pride. Christ mentioned this in the Lords Prayer…must be really important.
Thank you brother for the kind words. Actually, I’ve written a whole book on the topic entitled: “Forgiveness: How to Get Along With Everybody All the Time.” We’ve made it available for purchase via our online store or you can visit our book table at any of our Prayer Advances. Blessings!
Agreed – and I can second the recommendation for Harold’s book on forgiveness. It’s a great resource.
Thank you for this excellent article and for showing us the real meaning of pride and its implications as we often think of pride as a good thing. Thanks.
Thank you for the Word and the scripture to back it up.
Glad it was a blessing to you