Pride : The Root of Everything Evil

 

Most people do not consider themselves proud or vulnerable to pride. Yet, this is

one of the major categories of sin the Bible says is in each of our hearts.

 

1 John 2:15-17 (NASB) “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone

loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world–

the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has

and does–comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its

desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.”

Pride is the first sin and the most serious sin. Pride is our greatest problem. Not

the devil. Not low self-esteem. Not our upbringing or injustices suffered.

 

God Hates Pride

 

God hates pride; we must learn to hate what God hates and to love what

God loves. How much do you hate pride?

 

Proverbs 8:13 “To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance,

evil behavior and perverse speech.”

 

Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility

comes wisdom.”

 

Proverbs 16:5 “The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They

will not go unpunished.”

 

Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

God is not out to hurt your pride he is out to kill your pride.

 

Pride is Serious

 

God is opposed to the proud. You don’t want God as your opponent.

 

James 4:6 “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.””

 

1 Peter 5:5 “Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are

older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'”

 

Luke 14:11 “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he

who humbles himself will be exalted.””

The way up is the way down. Completely the opposite of the world.

Humble yourself and you will be exalted; exalt yourself and you will be humbled.

 

Humility is Critical to Receiving God’s Grace

 

Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility

comes wisdom.”

 

Proverbs 15:33 “The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility

comes before honor.

 

”Proverbs 18:12 “Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility

comes before honor.”

 

Proverbs 29:23 “A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit

gains honor.”

 

Isaiah 57:15 “For this is what the high and lofty One says—he who lives

forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him

who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive

the heart of the contrite.”

 

1 Peter 5:6 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he

may lift you up in due time.”

 

Isaiah 23:9 “The LORD Almighty planned it, to bring low the pride of all glory

and to humble all who are renowned on the earth.”

God resists the proud in order to show them their need of him. This results in his

glory.

 

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 “To keep me from becoming conceited because of

these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh,

a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to

take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my

power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly

about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for

Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in

difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

We must change the source of our lives. You are weak whether you know it

or not. Abiding is how you live the Christian life.

What Humility is Not

 

1. Humility is not denying the gifts and graces God has given you.

It is important to know what you are gifted in. Realize you are called to help and

serve others. Humility is not putting yourself down. It is being sober in your assessment and walking in the acknowledgment of God’s grace. It is using what God has given

you for his glory.

 

2. Humility is not a lack of direction, desire and godly ambition.

It is not wrong to want to be used of God or advance in the kingdom of God. God

wants to use you to do great things for him. God is not glorified by a losing or

defeatist mentality.

 

3. Humility is not denying the work of God within you or in the church.

 

4. Humility is not the pursuit of mediocrity.

You should pursue excellence but not with the motivation of calling attention to

yourself or trying to impress people. Humility allows you to enjoy the gifts of God without trying to impress others.

 

5. Humility is not denying or backing away from the truth.

You are called to be righteous and humble. You are responsible to speak the

truth in love without being self righteously critical.Pride is Deceptive

 

The devil does not come up to us with a red flag and tell us we are proud.

 

Jeremiah 49:16 “The terror you inspire and the pride of your heart have

deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks, who occupy the heights of

the hill. Though you build your nest as high as the eagle’s, from there I will bring

you down,” declares the LORD.”

We need help to see the fruits of pride in our lives. What is the real issue behind

your behavior? Are you examining your heart and motives for pride? What really

needs to change beyond outward behavior?

 

Proverbs 16:2 “All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed

by the LORD.”

 

Proverbs 21:2 “All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs

the heart.”

Humility is the door to true freedom. How do you deal with things in your life? At

the symptom level, problem level, or root level?

 

John 8:31-36 “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my

teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth

will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have

never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus

replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has

no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son

sets you free, you will be free indeed.”Fifty Fruits of Pride

 

1. I tend to be self sufficient in the way I live my life. I don’t live with a constant

awareness that my every breath is dependent upon the will of God. I tend to think I have

enough strength, ability and wisdom to live and manage my life. My practice of the

spiritual disciplines in inconsistent and superficial. I don’t like to ask others for help.

 

2. I am often anxious about my life and the future. I tend not to trust God and rarely

experience his abiding and transcendent peace in my soul. I have a hard time sleeping

at night because of fearful thoughts and burdens I carry.

 

3. I am overly self-conscious. I tend to replay in my mind how I did, what I said, how I

am coming across to others, etc. I am very concerned about what people think of me. I

think about these things constantly.

 

4. I fear man more than God. I am afraid of others and make decisions about what I will

say or do based upon this fear. I am afraid to take a stand for things that are right. I am

concerned with how people will react to me or perceive my actions or words. I don’t

often think about God’s opinion in a matter and rarely think there could be

consequences for disobeying him. I primarily seek the approval of man and not of God.

 

5. I often feel insecure. I don’t want to try new things or step out into uncomfortable

situations because I’m afraid I’ll fail or look foolish. I am easily embarrassed.

 

6. I regularly compare myself to others. I am performance oriented. I feel that I have

greater worth if I do well.

 

7. I am self-critical. I tend to be a perfectionist. I can’t stand for little things to be wrong

because they reflect poorly on me. I have a hard time putting my mistakes behind me.

 

8. I desire to receive credit and recognition for what I do. I like people to see what I do

and let me know that they noticed. I feel hurt or offended when they don’t. I am overly

concerned about my reputation and hate being misunderstood.

 

9. I want people to be impressed with me. I like to make my accomplishments known.

 

10. I tend to be deceptive about myself. I find myself lying to preserve my reputation. I

find myself hiding the truth about myself, especially about sins, weaknesses, etc. I don’t

want people to know who I really am.

 

11. I am selfishly ambitious. I really want to get ahead. I like having a position or title. I

far prefer leading to following.

 

12. I am overly competitive. I always want to win or come out on top and it bothers me

when I don’t.

 

13. I like to be the center of attention and will say or do things to draw attention to

myself.

 

14. I like to talk, especially about myself or persons or things I am involved with. I want

people to know what I am doing or thinking. I would rather speak than listen. I have a

hard time being succinct.

 

15. I am self-serving. When asked to do something, I find myself asking, “How will doing

this help me, or will I be inconvenienced?”

 

16. I am not very excited about seeing or making others successful. I tend to feel

envious, jealous or critical towards those who are doing well or being honored.

 

17. I feel special or superior because of what I have or do. For example:

my house, my neighborhood, my physical gifting’s, my spiritual gifting’s, my intellect or

education, being a Christian, my position or job, my car, my salary, my looks, etc.

 

18. I think highly of myself. In relation to others I typically see myself as more mature

and more gifted. In most situations, I have more to offer than others even though I may

not say so. I don’t consider myself average or ordinary.

 

19. I tend to give myself credit for who I am and what I accomplish. I only occasionally

think about or recognize that all that I am or have comes from God.

 

20. I tend to be self-righteous. I can think that I really have something to offer God. I

would never say so, but I think God did well to save me. I seldom think about or

recognize my complete depravity and helplessness apart from God. I regularly focus on

the sins of others. I don’t credit God for any degree of holiness in my life.

 

21. I feel deserving. I think I deserve what I have. In fact, I think I ought to have more

considering how well I have lived or in light of all I have done.

 

22. I often feel ungrateful. I tend to grumble about what I have or my lot in life.

 

23. I find myself wallowing in self-pity. I am consumed with how I am treated by God and

others. I tend to feel mistreated or misunderstood. I seldom recognize or sympathize

with what’s going on with others around me because I feel that I have it worse than they

do.

 

24. I can be jealous or envious of others abilities, possessions, positions,

or accomplishments. I want to be what others are or want to have what others have. I

am envious of what others have thinking that I should have it or deserve it. I find it hard

to rejoice with others when they are blessed by God.

 

25. I am pretty insensitive to others. I feel that some people just aren’t worth caring

about. I have a hard time showing compassion.

 

26. I have a know-it-all attitude. I am impressed by my own knowledge. I feel like there

isn’t much I can learn from other people, especially those less mature than me.

 

27. I have a hard time listening to ordinary people. I listen better to those I respect or

people I want to leave with a good impression. I don’t honestly listen when someone

else is speaking because I am usually planning what I am going to say next.

 

28. I like to reveal my own mind. I have an answer for practically every situation. I feel

compelled to balance everyone else out.

 

29. I interrupt people regularly. I don’t let people finish what they are saying.

 

30. I feel compelled to stop people when they start to share something with me I already

know.

 

31. I find it hard to admit it when I don’t know something. When someone asks me

something I don’t know, I will make up an answer rather than admit I don’t know.

 

32. I don’t get much out of teaching. I tend to evaluate a speaker rather than my own

life. I grumble in my heart about hearing something a second time.

 

33. I listen to teaching with other people in mind. I constantly think of those folks who

need to hear the teaching and wish they were here.

 

34. I’m not very open to input. I don’t pursue correction for my life. I tend to be

unteachable and slow to repent when corrected. I don’t really see correction as a

positive thing. I am offended when people probe the motivations of my heart or seek to

adjust me.

 

35. I have a hard time admitting that I am wrong. I find myself covering up or excusing

my sins. It is hard for me to confess my sins to others or to ask for forgiveness.

 

36. I view correction as an intrusion into my privacy rather than an instrument of God for

my welfare. I can’t identify anyone who would feel welcome to correct me.

 

37. I resent people who attempt to correct me. I don’t respond with gratefulness and

sincere appreciation for their input. Instead I am tempted to accuse them and dwell on

their faults. I get bitter and withdraw.

 

38. When corrected, I become contentious and argumentative. I don’t take people’s

observations seriously. I minimize and make excuses or give explanations.

 

39. I am easily angered and offended. I don’t like being crossed or disagreed with. I find

myself thinking, “I can’t believe they did that to me.” I often feel wronged.

 

40. I have “personality conflicts” with others. I have a hard time getting along with

certain kinds of people. People regularly tell me that they struggle with me.

 

41. I am self-willed and stubborn. I have a hard time cooperating with others. I really

prefer my own way and often insist on getting it.

 

42. I am independent and uncommitted. I don’t really see why I need other people. I can

easily separate myself from others. I don’t get much out of the small group meetings.

 

43. I am unaccountable. I don’t ask others to hold me responsible to follow through on

my commitments. I don’t really need accountability for my words and actions. I think I

can take care of myself.

 

44. I am un submissive. I don’t like being under the authority of another person. I don’t

see submission as a good and necessary provision from God for my life. I have a hard

time supporting and serving those over me. I don’t “look up” to people and I like to be in

charge. Other people may need leaders but I don’t. It is important that my voice is

heard.

 

45. I lack respect for other people. I don’t think very highly of most people. I have a hard

time encouraging and honoring others unless they really do something great.

 

46. I am a slanderer. I find myself either giving or receiving evil reports about others.

Often times the things I say or hear are true about other people. I am not concerned

about the effect of slander on me because of my maturity level. I think I can handle it. I

only share will others the things I really think they need to know. I don’t tell all.

 

47. I am divisive. I tend to resist or resent authority. I don’t like other people to give me

orders or directions.

 

48. I like to demean or put others down. I often think people need to be adjusted and put

in their place. This includes leaders. Other people need to be more humble and have a

“sober” assessment of themselves.

 

49. I tend to be critical of others. I find myself feeling or talking negatively about people.

I subtlety feel better about myself when I see how bad someone else is. I find it far

easier to evaluate than to encourage someone else.

 

50. I really appreciate somebody taking the time to put this paper together. It will really

be a big help to my friends and family. However, I don’t really need this because I think

I’m pretty humble already.

 

By Grace Rid Yourself of Pride

 

1. Ask God to illuminate your heart so you can begin to see the fruits of pride in your life.

Ask friends to point out the fruits of pride in your life realizing your heart is exceedingly

deceitful.

 

2. You must meet the qualifications if you are to go on in God. Humility is the attitude

upon which everything else is built.

 

3. Ask God to convict you point by point (Psalm 139:23-24) and trust that he will. You

don’t want or need general condemnation, only specific, godly conviction.

 

4. Confess your pride to God point by point and ask for his forgiveness. Just

as importantly, ask him to cleanse you of all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

 

5. Don’t ask God to humble you — the Scriptures say to humble yourself (1 Peter 5:6).

Humility isn’t an emotion; it’s a decision of the will to think and act differently. Vine’s

Expository Dictionary defines humble as “low lying.” Ask yourself how you could be low

lying or put others before yourself in various situations, and then do it. Respond to

opportunities God gives you to humble yourself or honor others.

 

6. Confess your sins of pride to those you have effected and to your friends. They can

help to hold you accountable and bring the on-going correction you will need. Be open,

honest and transparent about your life and sins.

 

7. Ask God to give you a holy hatred for pride and its fruits in your life. Be continually on

the alert. Don’t allow pride to grow in your heart. Sow to the Spirit, not to the flesh.

 

8. Remember your war against pride is life-long. It is not a battle won in a day. Yet, as

you faithfully put to death, pride, and put on, humility, you will experience greater

freedom and more importantly greater conformity to image and likeness of Christ. In so

doing, God will be glorified in your life!