Beware of Pride

PROVERBS 16:18 NIV

18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.Pride is deadly. But instead of warning us the world encourages pride in every way.

What is pride?

Pride is faith in yourself, instead of faith in God.

The root of pride is selfishness: putting yourself first. Thinking you are the most important. Thinking you know the most. Thinking you deserve better than someone else.

Pride will cause you to go your own way instead of God’s way. Pride makes you think you do not need God’s advice or help.

Pride is the root of all sin. It causes you to turn away from God instead of turning to Him. All disobedience has pride as its root. All rebellion has pride behind it. All mistreatment of other people is caused by pride: putting yourself and your feelings above the other person and their feelings.

The world system promotes people who are proud, and often gives them great riches. Jesus said pride is evil and defiles a person. (Mark 7:21-23)

While the world may promote the proud for a short time, their fame and success will not last.

JAMES 4:6 NKJ

6 . . . “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Pride is the most serious, and the most subtle, sin. It often goes unrecognized.

Beware!

Lord, help me to beware of pride.

Pastor Kevin B. Mitchell

Pastor, Teacher, Student