Recently, I was shocked to learn from God that I had pride in my heart that I needed to get rid of. I say I was shocked because I always thought of pride as something that other people had issues with, and that these people were kind of dumb for ever puffing themselves up in such a way. I had also very recently written a message about humility because God showed me some things about what it really meant to be humble. I guess it hadn’t entirely sunk in.
I also learned that pride is a sneaky kind of sin (well, most sin is sneaky.) that hides in your heart until you’re so desperately miserable that you can’t help but come crashing down at the feet of God, begging to be led out of whatever mess it is that you’ve landed yourself in. So that’s why I was shocked. I was miserable and crying out to God for deliverance, when God said, “You have pride in your heart.”
I said, “What? God, I think I heard You wrong.”
Then, one night when I was telling my wife about how rough things were going at work and how mad I was about something, and she said, “Sounds like pride, Jonny.” Well, I didn’t like that one bit. And then finally, things really blew up and I just had to surrender.
Pride Defined
When I went to look the word ‘Pride’ up in the dictionary, it was interesting that the very last thing that the Cambridge Dictionary featured for ‘Pride’ was, ” Pride comes before a fall.” All of the other references were positive, including pride as satisfaction and pride as respect for oneself.
The Bible’s discussion of pride is overwhelmingly negative. That’s not to say that the Bible doesn’t want us to have satisfaction in life or to respect ourselves. The truth is that the world sees very little wrong with pride, but that’s because the world refuses to accept God’s importance in a person’s life.
In God’s eyes, there are two types of pride. The first is good pride, but the Bible doesn’t really call it pride. In fact, the verses that pertain to this concept look at it in terms of self-acceptance and wholeness of self. One such versus is GivenLife’s namesake Bible verse, John 10:10, (KJV) “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” As Christians, we can take pride in who we are in Christ.
The other kind of pride is the kind that drives a wedge between a Christian and God. God’s word says that it is wisdom to rid yourself of pride. The Bible also contrasts pride with obedience and subjugation. This is one reason why the world isn’t too keen on pride. In the world’s eyes, it’s not fun to obey or to subject yourself to authority. You shouldn’t have to do that if you don’t want to! The bottom line is that this kind of pride is sin. Leviticus 26:19 calls continuing sin “stubborn pride” (NIV), “pride of your power” (KJV), and an “arrogant spirit” (NLT).
The Consequences of Pride
Pride deceives. It makes you feel self-important and can make you feel as though the world is out to get you. When you’re consumed by pride, you’ll find yourself thinking that things just “aren’t fair!” You’ll also find yourself thinking, “Why should I have to do this? Someone else could just as easily do this, so why should I do it!?”
One of the first things that God did to help me start dealing with my pride was to tell me that I was supposed to fill the ice cube trays at work, and that I was supposed to do it without grumbling. No matter how maddening it was that people would put empty ice trays back into the freezer, I needed to just fill them up and praise God for teaching me. It was/is tough, and I still grumble from time to time, and have to ask for forgiveness.
God showed me that the answer to “Why me?” was because He is God. So, after a while, replacing the ice cubes became a reminder of how much God loves me. It’s still annoying when I’m in a hurry, and I try not to let it become a legalistic thing, but it’s now an important part of my walk with Jesus.
Another consequence of pride is that the Devil invariably brings condemnation upon prideful people (I Timothy 3:6). You’ll go from 60 to Zero in nothing flat – from feeling like the most important person in the world to the most worthless person in the world. There again, pride is deceptive. You are precious to God, not worthless.
God’s Word About Pride
The Bible is clear that pride is not part of God’s plan for our lives. Proverbs 29:23 (NIV) says, “A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.”
The Amplified Bible says, “A man’s pride will bring him low, but he who is of a humble spirit will obtain honor.”
Psalms 138:6 (NLT) says, “For though the Lord is exalted, Yet He regards the lowly; but the haughty he knows from afar.”
So, Who’s Excited to Be LOWLY!?
Sounds like we’re supposed to be flogging ourselves every day, doesn’t it? The thing to remember is that God’s kingdom is a paradoxical kingdom. The last shall be first and the least are the greatest; the lowly are regarded by the Lord. Another translation says that ” He cares for the humble ” (Psalms 138:6 NLT). Again, from the world’s viewpoint, subjecting yourself to authority means that you will suffer, but the truth of God is that when you submit yourself to His authority in your life, you will be blessed .
In life, we will always exalt something or in other words, hold something in high regard. It will either be ourselves, something worldly, or God Almighty. God’s plan is for us to lay ourselves at His feet; for us to exalt Him above all else and then, thanks to Jesus’ sacrifice, we can be exalted by God’s presence in our lives. That’s what gives us the good kind of pride. Colossians 2:10 (NLT) says, “9 For in Christ the fullness of God lives in a human body, 10 and you are complete through your union with Christ. He is the Lord over every ruler and authority in the universe.”
To escape from pride, we need to humble ourselves completely to God and to realize that we need to be completely obedient and dependent upon Him for our every need. Stay connected to Jesus, listening for His firm, but gentle correction, and He will help you to cleanse your heart of pride and stay out of it in the future.
thank you for the eye opener and well explained message. its helped me realise l had pride and am working on it with God`s help. its something that so easy to see in someone else and shocking to see in ones own life. may God bless you for sharing and hope it blesses others too.
I thank God for what you wrote because I also have that pride and I didn’t know about it…such an eye opener and I’ve learnt a lot. I’m going to pray that God also helps me. May God help you as you continue to help us with what He has helped you with and may He also bless you.
Hi Thandiswa,
Thanks for the encouragement. It’s amazing how pride can sneak up on us, isn’t it? God bless you too!
Your brother in Christ,
Jonathan
How do I differentiate between pride and liking myself. I mean hypothetically let’s say I believe my employer should give me a raise. I’ve met all the goals he set in front of me, I’ve done all he has asked. So how does one not appear to be “full of himself” when he likes the man God has made him/ them to be. I’m doing my best to rid myself of pride, but, I respect myself and love myself. I try to be humble, but, is my future of having no pride left in me mean that I will be a gracious doormat to the world and everyone in it.
Hi Joe,
Thanks so much for sharing your question, which I think is a really great point! As Christians, we’re faced with what seems like a paradox. The Bible praises people who are lowly in spirit and who are humble, but we are also “more than conquerors”. We are sons and daughters of The Most High. The answer is in your heart. We can boast in the greatness of our God and know that we are loved beyond measure, and yet we can still do everything in love (1 Cor. 16:14). If our motivation is purely selfish or because we feel entitled to admiration, then pride is going to get us in a strangle hold.
So, regarding the scenario of a raise at work, God has given us brains that are capable of evaluating situations, and God is proud of us, his creation. If you meet the criteria for a raise, you should pray about what to do, and if you don’t get the sense that God wants you to hold off, then I would go boldly to your supervisor and make your case, knowing that whatever the outcome is, God is on your side and he has a plan for you. Pride would have you puffed up with self-importance. The confidence from God comes from being filled with wisdom and the knowledge of who you are in Christ.
Now, if you get turned down for the raise, that’s when it will be really easy to tell how much pride is in your heart. It’s natural to feel disappointed in those situations, but if you feel hatred rising up in your heart toward your boss, then I would recommend running to God and crying out for help in changing your heart. Bitterness and resentment are like spiritual cancer that needs to be zapped and cut out at the first sign of them. Go to God, and tell your “Papa” how you’re hurting. Tell him about everything you’re feeling and then just be still before God and wait for his sweet, comforting voice to speak. He will guide you in the next steps, and your obedience to those next steps will bear lots of fruit; even if the first of those next steps is to stay right where you are.
Be blessed, Joe!
Absolutely wonderful message, explanation, and justification of how pride can transform or existance. I totally needed this, I am one to always say forget my blessings, i’ll find a way to do it myself, because of my pride.
What a wonderful and still poignant word! I’m 40something and just recently God revealed to me the pride I was holding onto with a death-like grip. That explosive senario you mentioned is totally what happened to me. God revealed it to me through my mom about 3 months ago, and I thought she was crazy. Especially in light of the fact that I was in so much agony from mistreatment. But then (after said scenario) yesterday she brought it up again and this time I listened. And as I listened God opened my eyes. I am so grateful God loves me I am half besides myself with happiness! This mistreatment may not stop, but bless God, change is here!!!!!for me! Thank you for sharing you testimony!!
Thanks for your comment and testimony, Ingrid. Isn’t pride insidious?! I still find it prowling about. Check out Psalm 131. I’ve been meditating on that chapter for a couple weeks now. I think it’s like a Tootsie Pop where I haven’t quite gotten to the center of it, but it’s still really tasty! I’m going to keep at it because I can tell that as it’s sinking into my spirit, good things are happening. God bless!
My pride won’t die. My friend says I’ve made progress, but I’m having trouble seeing it since my pride in perfectionism is still trying to kill me. My brain and heart can’t comprehend humility in doing an exceptional job at something. I’m so weary of it.
Susan, thanks for the comment. Be careful what you say. That kind of self-talk is really like siding with the enemy. I can certainly hear Satan saying, “Your pride won’t die. You can’t see any progress because you’re being killed by your pride. You brain and heart CAN NOT comprehend humility! You are weary!” Our self-talk and agreement needs to side with what God says, “Come to me and I will give you rest. My yoke is easy and my burden is light. My Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead is in you, and the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” God is strong than your pride. Like- It’s not even close! Your pride doesn’t stand a chance when you continually seek him and cry out for his help, which is an act of humility and worship all rolled into one. Praying for you, Susan!
Like you, God has shown me this surprise! Such a surprise that I’m researching the meaning. Repenting and realizing I’ve hurt others with this sin. Lots of healing necessary. So grateful to know now so that I can consciously resist and submit to His will. Such a deceptive sin! Thank you for addressing it!
How can I do away with pride in my life?
Thanks for sharing.
I couldn’t believe I had pride because of the emotional pain, perceived illness, and anguish I’d had for so long, I blamed myself and my body for it, so how could I be prideful? Nothing in my life was going well and my anxiety and depression worsened. This continued for many years. Eventually I just sank within myself and closed everyone out. My personality changed – I barely spoke with people or family. Just nothing to say at all. I felt no one could understand or help me but myself, or God if I could find favor with Him. I desired to be like the old me who was outgoing and bright. I longed endlessly for better days. My thoughts were unhealthy and full of fantasy and I was frequently without a clear head. I longed for it to end somehow, someday.
On revealing if it is indeed pride, nothing happens without action. Without prayer and meditation with God and His Word it will never come across as pride. You will remain perhaps feeling like a victim, someone that has been treated unfairly for so long, that maybe even a feeling of entitlement for all the suffering you’ve gone through comes in. You can’t understand why things aren’t changing and your own concerns drown out truly turning to God for help.
Though the self defeat was there, the pride remained. How can you beat (self) pride if even when it breaks you it doesn’t go away afterwards? I’m still finding out. I’ve recognized some of my symptoms, the ones mentioned already and more, bitterness, anger without a cause, and if you reached a point like me, self defeat and eventually a sedentary lifestyle. Only recently was I made aware thanks to God that it is pride. I wanted to share. I read other articles about pride and found the relation for myself was between vanity and pride. Here’s a small segment,
God bless.
It’s amazing and I’m grateful to you Jonathan. I’m guided to do little things as a way of dealing with me pride and shame self-importance. I’m also guided to listen more attentively and defer judgement of other people and their opinions about me or a situation. Thank you and God bless.
Thank you, Eric. Pride is a sneaky beast. I’m trying to give my boys a head start on dealing with pride and selfishness in their hearts by encouraging them to live with a “You first!” attitude rather than a “Me first!” mentality. Preferring one another as the Bible says in Romans 12:10.
Thank you for that word…I just found out by letting it stick in that iI and pride in my heart…I immediately asked God to take it out my heart.. how can i go on living as christian knowing i had this in me..I got on my knees and repented of this pride…I have to trust God that he hears my prayers and that he is working on me… thank you and to God be the glory!!