We recently heard a sermon by the late Adrian Rogers on ‘pride’. The word ‘pride’ in the Bible is not what we refer to as ‘proud of my grandchildren’ type pride but pride as a ‘spirit of independence from God.’ Prideful people think they don’t need God; they think they can do things on their own.
God calls us to be humble; He resists the proud. Being humble (humility) is the opposite of pride. Verses about being humble
A few examples of Pride:
Accepting praise over things in which you don’t have control
Refusing to take counsel
Having an ungrateful spirit for all that God has done
Esteeming yourself ‘better’ than others.
5 Ways Being Prideful Can Destroy Your Life
Pride defies God. Proverbs 16:5 - “Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.” It was pride that made satan fall ... it made the devil the devil!
Pride defiles the heart of man. Proverbs 21:4 - “An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.” We were all born with pride; it comes out of the heart.
Pride divides society. Proverbs 13:10 - “Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.” Take ‘ego’ off of the throne and put Jesus there!
Pride dishonors life. Proverbs 29:23 - “A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.” Conceit is a disease that makes everyone sick except for the one who has it.
Pride destroys souls. Proverbs 16:18-19 - "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.” Pride populates hell; it is the seeds of eternal destruction.
You will ‘go home’ two ways – dignified or justified. The grace of God is sufficient for everyone!
No one is so bad they cannot be saved; no one is so good they need not be saved!
