A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you. Pride will kill you, forever, and is the sin most likely to keep you from crying out to God in times of need.
As dangerous as pride is, it’s equally hard to spot. Satan fell because of his ambition to be equal with God. He desired to enter into the divine counsels and purposes, from which he was excluded by his own inability, as a created being, to comprehend the wisdom of the Infinite One. It was this ambition that led to his rebellion in heaven, and by the same means he seeks to cause the ruin of man.
“Too Many People Spend Money They Earned..to Buy Things They Don’t Want..to Impress People That They Don’t Like.” ’- Will Rogers
Sin originated in self-seeking. Lucifer, the covering cherub, desired to be the leader in heaven. He sought to gain control of heavenly beings, to draw them away from God, and to win their homage to himself. Therefore he misrepresented God, attributing to Him the desire for self-exaltation. With his own evil characteristics he sought to dethrone the loving Creator.
“Through Pride We Are Ever Deceiving Ourselves. But Deep down Below the Surface of the Average Conscience a Still, Small Voice Says to Us, something Is out of Tune. ” ’- C.G. Jung
Had Lucifer really desired to be like the Most High, he would never have deserted his appointed place in heaven; for the spirit of the Most High is manifested in unselfish ministry. Lucifer desired God’s power, but not His character. He sought for himself the highest place, and every being who is actuated by his spirit will do the same.
“Proud People Breed Sad Sorrows for Themselves.” ’- Emily Brontë
We can’t conclude that we don’t struggle with pride because we don’t see pride in ourselves. Whenever pride and ambition are indulged, the life is marred; for pride, feeling no need, closes the heart against the infinite blessings of Heaven.
“It Is Better to Lose Your Pride with Someone You Love Rather Than to Lose That Someone You Love with Your Useless Pride.” ’- John Ruskin
Pride of heart is a fearful trait of character. “Pride goeth before destruction.” This is true in the family, the church, and the nation.
“All Men Make Mistakes, but a Good Man Yields When He Knows His Course Is Wrong, and Repairs the Evil. The Only Crime Is Pride.” ’- Sophocles, Antigone
Removing the Chains of Pride
How does one move from the chains of pride and self-obsession to the freedom of humble self-service?
- A Harsh Spirit – Those who have the sickness of pride in their hearts speak of others’ sins with contempt, irritation, frustration, or judgment.
- Superficiality – When pride lives in our hearts, we’re far more concerned with others’ perceptions of us than the reality of our hearts.
- Defensiveness – Those who stand in the strength of Christ’s righteousness alone find a confident hiding place from the attacks of men and Satan alike.
- Presumption Before God – Humility approaches God with humble assurance in Christ Jesus. If either the “humble” or the “assurance” are missing in that equation, our hearts very well might be infected with pride.
- Desperation for Attention – Pride is hungry for attention, respect, and worship in all its forms.
- Neglecting Others -Pride prefers some people over others. It honors those who the world deems worthy of honor, giving more weight to their words, their wants, and their needs.
Think of these as three facets as the jewel of genuine Christian humility
- Who is the focus of your service?
- Whose sin are you focused upon?
- What is the focus of your joy, security, and contentment?
God’s people should be subject one to another. They should counsel with each other, that the lack of one be supplied by the sufficiency of the other.
“Learn of Me,” Said Christ; “For I Am Meek and Lowly in Heart: And Ye Shall Find Rest unto Your Souls.” (Matthew 11:29)
Maybe more of us struggle with pride than we thought. There’s good news for the prideful. Confession of pride signals the beginning of the end for pride.
Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart! Try Me and Know My Thoughts! And See If There Be Any Grievous Way in Me, and Lead Me in the Way Everlasting! (Psalm 139:23–24)
In the end pride must die in you, or nothing of heaven can live in you.
