Pride (III)

We have been looking at the issue of pride. Pride is a very subtle way by which many leaders fall. Pride is an exaggerated/inflated idea of one’s importance. It is a feeling that you are more important than others. Pride is an inordinate opinion of one’s dignity, importance, merit or superiority. Pride can be “internal or external” – it can be in the mind and it can be by conduct or words.

Pride is a destroyer.

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

Pride makes its victim blind.

“Pride is so busy trying to get everyone else to see it that it can never get the time to see itself. Since pride is the most superior part of everything, the only one it will honor or respect is itself.” Doreen A. Martin

Pride must be dispensed with if we will last.

“There is nothing into which the heart of man so easily falls as pride, and yet there is no more vice which is more frequently, more emphatically, and more eloquently condemned in Scripture. Pride is a thing which should be unnatural to us, for we have nothing to be proud of. In almost every other sin, we gather us ashes when the fire is gone. But here, what is left? The covetous man has his shining gold, but what does the proud man have? He has less than he would have had without pride, and is no gainer whatever. Pride wins no crown.” C. H. Spurgeon

Antidote to Pride:

1. Understand and operate with the understanding that whatever you are or have is given you by God so no need to be proud.

“For who separates you from the others [as a faction leader]? [Who makes you superior and sets you apart from another, giving you the preeminence?] What have you that was not given to you? If then you received it [from someone], why do you boast as if you had not received [but had gained it by your own efforts]?” 1 Corinthians 4:7 Amplified.

2. “Give people permission to point out pride in your life. Pride deceives the mind. It blinds you and makes you think everything is going great; however, when your pride is unclear to you, it is usually painfully clear to the people around you. Allow them to point out the pride in your life without fear of anger on your part.” Micah Cartee
3. Consider Others More Important

This is the command that Paul gave in Philippians 2, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.”

4. Pray to receive God’s help
5. Humility is an attribute we must acquire and walk in if we will avoid the destructive consequences of pride.

 

CONCLUDED

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