The Dangers of Pride

“Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?” 1 Samuel 25:11 (King James Version)

Anytime you have that many I’s and my’s in one sentence, pride is in the mix. We are all that but not all that. We are all that in Jesus. We must remember it is He that has made us and not we ourselves, Psalm 100:3. This goes across the board, from physical creation to spiritual maturity. Isaiah 14:12-14 paraphrased, How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer. For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Pride influenced someone in Heaven and got him cast out. Let’s not follow his example.

We have not made it into Heaven yet. We are to be like the Most High in spirit and in image; but, we must not attempt to be like Him in supremacy.

8“I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” Isaiah 14:14 (King James Version)

Perhaps the best safeguard that obedience and submission imparts is preventing us from falling into pride. Obedience can almost single handily eliminate “I” statements similar to the ones that Lucifer spoke in verses 13-14. All of Lucifer’s attention had been diverted towards him, rather than God, and this created a false sense of illusion that the creation was better than the Creator. Submission reduces the tendency in us to think more highly of ourselves than we should. Nothing destroys potential more quickly than pride, and the quickest remedy is obedience. Since we usually like to follow our own directions, obedience is not our first inclination. Moreover, obedience applies more pressure on the flesh to do the opposite of what it wants to do. Pride on the other hand, gives the flesh full permission to pursue its desires, which is exactly what Lucifer unsuccessfully attempted. The best way to begin living in obedience and submission to God and God’s appointed spiritual leaders is by learning to follow directions. Arriving to church events on time, following instructions at work, or waiting patiently in line at the grocery store are all seemingly minor events that have a tremendous impact on preventing us from being consumed in pride. Take time today to check yourself in the minor areas. The results could have a major impact on your spiritual life.

“You alone are the Lord. You have made the heavens, the heaven of heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all of them and heavenly host bows down before You.” Nehemiah 9:6 (New American Standard)

When we prayed for God to remove our sins and assigned Him as Lord of our lives, did we really make Him Lord? Lord is one who has power and authority over others. Can we rightfully and morally carry out our daily lives without consulting His counsel from His Word or leadings from the Holy Spirit? To carry on in such a way would not show honor to Him we call Lord. If we wake up daily, believing that our to-do list is more important than consulting our Lord in prayer, this is an act of pride. The Israelites also thought they could carry on without the Word of God. Once the book, the Law of God, was read by Ezra, they were able to connect their spirit with the knowledge of knowing they had to do better by God with their lives. They recognized the pride in which they were operating and confessed their sin and praised their God. We too can overcome pride by blessing and praising God for who He is and the fact that He is Lord.

Written By Rosie S. O’Neal