I hear it going off like a warning in my head, “pride, Pride, PRIDE…”
And it’s absolutely true. There is pride in my heart.
Pride isn’t just feeling good about our own achievements, or having confidence in ourselves.
No, it goes deeper. Right to the root of sin.
You see, pride makes things about us.
Pride says, “I value my will over the will of God.”
“My marriage is hard. They did something unforgivable. No one will blame me for leaving. I’m done.”
“They lied to me. I don’t want to be around them. They don’t deserve my love. I’m done.”
“I feel like God wants me to do this, but I don’t see any way it can work, I think I’ll do it differently. I’m doing it my way.”
These are all examples of pride. And there are a million other examples.
Anytime we decide that we will follow our plans instead of seeking to do God’s will, at the root, you will find pride.
The Bible says where there is an angry disagreement or conflict, there is pride. Proverbs 13:10
A strained relationship…why is it strained?
God can restore it right?
Do you believe it?
You say you do…but are you following God’s will despite your hurt feelings? Despite your anger?
Or do you make excuses why things will never be the same?
Last time I checked the Bible tells us that, “God IS ABLE to do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or imagine.” Ephesians 3:20
Last time I checked the Bible tells us that “All things are possible with God.” Matthew 19:26
Do you believe that?
Or do you have a few exceptions?
If you have a few exceptions, look closer and you will probably find pride.
And we must DEAL WITH IT.
Friends, the devil wants us to think that it’s no big deal.
He wants us to reason that we aren’t killing anyone; we aren’t committing adultery; we aren’t stealing.
What does it matter if we hold on to a little pride?
That’s what he wants us to think. But pride is a matter of life or death.
The Bible tells us that God hates pride. Proverbs 8:13
The Bible tells us that, “when pride comes, then comes disgrace.” Proverbs 11:2
The Bible tells us that God “opposes the proud.” James 4:6
Proverbs 6:16,17 tells us that God hates a proud look.
Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction.”
So how do we deal with this pride?
God gives us the answer:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
We have to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
That means when someone hurts us we don’t hold a grudge. Instead, we realize that we are following God’s will when we choose to make peace.
The world will tell us that if someone hurts us, they deserve to be hurt back. But God wants us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We have to choose humility in order that His will is done.
Renew your mind to see your humility as a love offering to God; An opportunity to praise Him through obedience to His will.
Letting go of pride may sound like this, “Dear God, I don’t want to do what you are asking me to do. I don’t think I should have to. But I will follow you. Because your ways are best. Because I want you to be exalted. Not me.”
Oh what a difference we would see, what a change in our lives, what relationships could be restored and be made new if we would just relinquish our pride to the One who wants to give us good things.
Let’s start our day with humility.
He commands us to humble ourselves before Him. James 4:10
Let’s seek humility with everything in us. Recognizing that God is above all. Recognizing that we are small and insignificant compared to our Creator.
But also recognizing that He loves us and wants to lift us up.
Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Matthew 23:12
