Pride is the difference between cockiness and confidence. Pride is a feeling that comes when you are overly proud of your personal achievements, qualities or possessions. Yes, you should be happy of your accomplishments but you should not be boastful. This faulty admiration towards the self will keep you from growing in faith. The pleasures of pride stem from stroking the ego. The flesh desires acknowledgment from the world while The Spirit is content with confirmation from God. Pride will be the death of you, if you are not quick to gain control over it. One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor [Proverbs 29:23].
“For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself” – Galatians 6:3
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. Be careful not to store pride in your heart because it will lead to your downfall. Pride is especially proud of a particular quality or skill, even if it goes against God. Pride can cause separation in marriages, division in friendships and isolation from loved ones. Pride sends thoughts into the mind that makes you feel you are better than everyone. Do not act or think with pride for it will only work against you. It will take you off the path of righteousness and lead you down the wide and open road. Keep yourself from thinking you are so wise. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all [Romans 12:16]!
Could you imagine if Jesus walked around prideful (even though he is perfect in every way)? If Jesus allowed his pride to get the best of him, he would have not surrounded himself with those less than, which means we would all be doomed. Instead, Jesus came into the world and was humbled. He helped the lame, talked with prostitutes and surrounded himself with sinners. God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips” – Proverbs 27:2
Believers, you will never have to announce your own accomplishments. Never have to tell the world all the good things you have done because people will do it for you. Success doesn’t happen by telling people how successful you are, success speaks for itself. You do not need to worry about telling your deeds because your Heavenly Father knows all. Pride taints reality. It plants seeds of deceit in the heart and grows to become an enemy of God. It hates patience and does not know humility. Pride will cause you to say hurtful things and live in regret. It stops you from saying sorry and reminds you that the other person is to blame. It shows you of the wrong in others but never mentions the wrong in self. It fails to see areas of improvement and hinders potential. Pride adds fuels to the fire. It may start off as a flame but will always grow to become a fiery burning furnace.
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you” -James 4:10
Do not allow pride to enter your heart. Remain humble and give thanks in all circumstances. Do not think that you are better than others. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, no one is good, not one is perfect. Take control of your ego and live to give glory to The Lord. There is more hope for a fool than a person who is wise in their own eyes [Proverbs 26:12]. Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride [Psalms 31:23]. Make every attempt to live without pride and seek humility. The only thing you have to boast about is God’s grace, love and mercy!Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord [1 Corinthians 1:31].”