pride – Naty Matos

Pride is a subtle yet powerful force that can creep into our lives, affecting our relationships and spiritual well-being. As Christians, it’s essential to recognize the dangers of pride and strive to stay grounded in our faith. Proverbs 16:18 warns us, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Let’s explore how we can overcome pride and maintain humility in our daily walk with God.

Understanding Pride

From a Christian perspective, pride is an excessive focus on oneself, often leading to arrogance and self-sufficiency. It’s the opposite of humility, which is a key virtue in the Christian faith. Pride can damage our relationship with God and others, making us less receptive to guidance and correction. James 4:6 reminds us, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Recognizing the destructive nature of pride is the first step towards overcoming it.

Biblical Examples of Pride

The Bible provides numerous examples of pride and its consequences. One of the most notable is Lucifer, whose pride led to his downfall (Isaiah 14:12-15). Another example is King Nebuchadnezzar, who, in his arrogance, boasted about his achievements, only to be humbled by God (Daniel 4:28-37). These stories serve as powerful reminders of the dangers of pride and the importance of humility.

Staying Grounded in Faith

To overcome pride, we must actively cultivate humility and stay grounded in our faith. Here are some practical steps to help us do that:

Acknowledge Our Dependence on God: Recognize that every good thing comes from God and that we are dependent on His grace and mercy (Philippians 2:3-4).
Serve Others: Engage in acts of service and kindness. Serving others helps shift our focus away from ourselves and fosters a spirit of humility (Micah 6:8).
Seek Accountability: Surround yourself with fellow believers who can offer guidance, support, and correction when needed.
Stay Teachable: Be open to learning and growing, allowing God to mold you into His likeness.

The Role of Prayer and Scripture

Prayer is a powerful tool in combating pride. When we pray, we acknowledge our need for God’s help and guidance. Jesus taught us to pray with humility and sincerity (Matthew 6:5-6). Additionally, immersing ourselves in scripture helps us stay grounded. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Regularly reading and meditating on God’s Word reminds us of His greatness and our dependence on Him.

Conclusion

Overcoming pride is a continuous journey that requires vigilance and reliance on God. By seeking humility and staying grounded in our faith, we can avoid the pitfalls of pride and grow closer to God. Remember, true greatness comes from serving others and recognizing our dependence on Him. Let’s strive to live humbly, seeking His guidance in all we do.

³For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

In this part of the letter from Paul, I see a reminder of the older brother in the prodigal son story. It is very often that those who have not come to the feet of Christ because of our behavior. I know there was a time in my life when I thought my sins were too unforgivable. Sometimes looking at those around me with their pretend perfect lives made me feel even more unworthy to come closer to God. We are called to love the sinner, not the sin. How many times we are judgmental just because someone sins different than us?

If we are ambassadors of Christ, how are we showing his love? Wasn’t Jesus who said that he w pride ho was free from sin to cast the first stone? Wasn’t Jesus who said to the woman at the well that she was forgiven even though she had been promiscuous? So who are we to judge?

There’s an old movie from Al Pacino, which I don’t recommend anyone to see, but in my time I did. It’s title “The Devil’s Advocate”. The storyis of a man who basically gives into the devil to gain worldly things. Once inside he realizes that he was losing more than gaining and he rejects him. But in the very last scene, the devil comes back in a different shape and lures him again. Why? Pride is the most common sin among Christians, when we think we are better than “those” people because we go to church or serve at one. Even among each other, fighting over position and places within our service within the church.

Instead we are called to be sober, to remember where we came from. We are called to body of christ remember that we are administrators and not lords. We need to recognize that we each have a place on a mission that was specifically designed for us. In other words, in the eyes of God the CEO and the janitor are equal… and sometimes the janitor gets extra points for doing his work for God.