The Deadly Series: Pride VS Humility
This first series, called the Deadly Series, will be a 7 week-long journey where we will be discussing the 7 deadly sins that God finds detestable to his people. There will be one sin per week, with each sin we will talk about the Godly traits we will need to exhibit to combat the deadly one. Don’t worry, we will discuss these sins in grave detail as this series will be very informative, thought-provoking, and loaded with various bible scriptures to help support and back each discussion-based topic.
Within this series, viewers/ readers will have an opportunity to purchase original content worksheets to further enrich their knowledge and gain even more Golden Nuggets!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come to you as humbly as we know-how. We thank you for who you are and for your greatness! We thank you for your goodness and the mercies that you give us each and every day. You are the Great I Am and we honor you and praise you forevermore. Father, give us understanding and clarity so that we may have the discernment to recognize the things that displease you, so that we may have the knowledge to correct ourselves and become more like your son Jesus! Father, we know that you are a forgiving God but, continue to work with us and guide us in our mistakes and shortcomings. The bible says that your word is for correction and reproof, Lord give us the knowledge we need and the opportunity that follows to apply your word to our lives. Father, as we get closer to you through this week’s topic on pridefulness we ask that you be in the midst. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
A Prideful Spirit
There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community
Proverbs 6:16-19
So let’s start things off with some questions, shall we? What is pride? What’s the true meaning or representation of being prideful? What does the bible say about people being prideful? How does God feel about a prideful spirit?
These are some very great questions to start off with, let’s dive in with answering the first question about what pride is!
Pride: is a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing conduct.
-Dictionary.com
Having a prideful spirit is seen as someone who is considered arrogant and has little humility or none at all. They are self-righteous individuals that place themselves on a higher pedestal than others and if given the chance will usually look down upon others. When it comes to having a prideful spirit they view themselves at the top of the hierarchy and while at the top they cannot be told anything because they believe that there is no one above them who could possibly know more. Their ego overshadows their humility. Let me say this, EVERYONE has to answer to someone!
Does this sound familiar?
Do you know any like this?
Be honest to yourself, are you like this?
If we can reflect back on what we discussed in Week 14: Motivational Monday’s Humble Yourself of God Will, humbling yourself before God means to put your pride aside and seek him for help, allowing him to take care of you. Humbling yourself means knowing that you are not your own and that you don’t really know what’s best for you in the end. God is the only one that sees the full picture of our lives from start to finish in its entirety.
I also discussed my issues with my own pride and how it got in the way of my relationship with my father, and his girlfriend; which in turn hindered my relationship with God. I really made it a point to expose my prideful spirit which was consuming everything in my life. This was one lesson that God had been working with me on for several years and because of my stubbornness, I was never quite able to learn nor pass the test. It took him literally coming to my side and telling me, “Do what I asked you to do or you’re going to keep suffering. Let go and do it my way, I promise it’s worth it. I promise there's a purpose here, just be obedient.” It took all of my might to control my emotions and swallow my pride.
Visit the website or click on the link below to read more of this testimony about my pride and humbleness.
Why is Pride a SIN?
Now that we have an understanding of the definition of pride, we can now pose the question, Why is pride a sin?
Pride is giving yourself all the credit and disregarding the fact that God is responsible for it all. When we take all the glory that rightfully belongs to God, we indeed have fallen short into the pit of pridefulness. This my friend, is why pride is a sin.
Stealing what is rightfully God’s is a sin. We have to remember we are not our own. When we come to the clarity of that lesson all by itself we will be better off. We didn’t wake up this morning by way of sheer luck, we woke up by God’s unchangeable hand with his grace and mercies attached.
What Does God Say About Being Prideful?
When we look there are several places in the bible where there has been a negative connotation when it comes to pride. Long story short, God hates and detests pride. I know hate is a strong word but the bible uses the word, detestable which means intense hatred, displeasing, disgusting, and repulsive. Let’s go into the Word of God, shall we!
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall
Proverbs 16:18
But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory
Daniel 5:20
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
and perverted speech I hate.
Proverbs 8:13
When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2
Golden Thoughts: So, what does everyone think about these scriptures? They are kinda harsh right, comment below what you think. What were your initial thoughts when reading these scriptures above? The bible is truly unmatched in my opinion! I would love to hear from you!
GOD HATES PRIDEFULNESS
So it’s safe to say we need to check our pride at the front door before doing anything just based on the scriptures above. One thing we don’t want to be is unattractive and offensive to God. The first scripture that I listed said that we will not be unpunished. I know firsthand what it means to be tested. God tests us for correction because he wants us to discard our pride. God constantly gets on his people so that they can be transformed in the way we should go.
A high look, a proud, and the plowing of the wicked are sin
Proverbs 21:4
People In The Bible That Struggled With Pride
If you didn’t know, there are numerous people in the bible that have struggled with pride, we are going to discuss just a few of them. I encourage you to take some time to read more about each of these people in the bible so that you have a better understanding as well as some backstory. Reading about them will also give you a better perspective on how God deals with those that are prideful. One, in particular, was Satan himself. Well, he struggled and failed which resulted in him getting kicked out of heaven. God was not having it! So if God kicked him out, then what does that mean for us? ...Exactly, we’ll be right along with Satan looking foolish!
Satan
The story of the fall of satan is a prime example of pride. If you will grab your bibles and turn to the book of Ezekiel, it is there that we will find evidence of Satan’s existence. This also coincides with the greedy King of Tyre, but some believe that King Tyre and Satan were one and the same. Satan goes by many names Lucifer, the Devil, Father of Lies, Leviathan, Evil One, Adversary, Enemy, Antichrist, just to name a few. Here we can explore scripture to find out who Lucifer is, his description of this presence and his attributes, his fall, and rank. Let’s take a look.
You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God…You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings
Ezekiel 28:12–17
Pride led to Satan’s fall. There are no if’s, and’s, or but’s about it! To understand the fall you have to know who Lucifer was before and how he works.
Facts about Satan:
Lucifer means “Star of the Morning or Morning Star!”
Once Lucifer fell from Eden we now associate Lucifer as Satan or the Fallen Angel!
Satan was full of great wisdom!
Satan was the model of beauty. He was absolutely beautiful!
One-third of angels were cast out of Heaven along with Satan [Revelations 12:4, 7-9]
Satan is the Prince of the Air [Ephesians 2:2] and the Father of Lies [John 8:44]
Satan manipulated and corrupts the World we live in and blinds the minds of unbelievers [2 Corinthians 4:4]
Unbelievers are blind to the fact that they need God. That the bible is here to correct our sinful tendencies. Unbelief keeps us from seeing and hearing from God.
Satan hates you, But God Loves you [John 3:16]. To Satan, you are a game, and he is after your eternal inheritance so you don’t see God as a reward. He is coming to steal, kill, and destroy your peace, soul, joy, your happiness, and your relationship with God. Once Satan knows that he can distract you with worldly things and possessions from God, his job is done. Remember that all that Glitters is not Gold. Don’t get distracted from the end goal.
For Homework, I encourage you to dig into the Word and learn more about your adversary (Satan). Know his schemes and how he operates that way when he attaches you, you have the discernment to know who you’re dealing with and how to protect yourself using the Word of the Lord. [2 Corinthians 2:11]
Adam & Eve
Most people know the story of Adam and Eve, and for the ones who don’t, it’s okay. Turn to the book of Genesis (the 1st book of the bible) 2:4. Here you will be introduced to Adam and Eve and can learn about how God created them. Genesis 3 also introduces us to the fall of both of them.
Quick Sidebar, Adam and Eve broke like a world record of sins just in Genesis chapter 3 alone. I mean they broke sins like disobedience, entertaining Satan, ungratefulness for what they had (they were living their life like it was Golden up in Eden and were still not pleased, like what), and they lacked self-control, among other sins. But we are here for the pride aspect of things.
Like the scripture says in Proverbs 16:18, pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall, and boy, did they fall! God showed no restraint when casting out judgment on both of them after eating the Forbidden Fruit.
Haman
If you’ll turn in your bibles to the book of Esther chapter 3 you will come to a setting where King Ahasuerus (also called Xerxes) has promoted a man named Haman. King Xerxes has set Haman’s seat above all the officials who were with him. [Esther 3:1]. All who knew Haman were ordered to bow down or pay homage to him, and everyone did that all except a Jewish man named Mordecai. Now Mordecai refused and upon refusal, the King’s guard asked him why he woke up and chose defiance. Mordecai still refused to bow down and honor Haman day after day and the guards reported him to Haman. When Haman found out that Mordecai had been refusing to pay homage to him and that he was a Jewish man, Haman grew outraged. He jumped to the conclusion that all Jewish individuals were bad and disobedient and as a result, he sought out to destroy all the Jews in the land ruled by King Xerxes. [Esther 3:1-6]
Haman convinced the King that the Jewish people were bad and needed to be destroyed. The King approved Haman’s motion without careful consideration due to his trust in Haman as an advisor and his rank, he processed the request. [Esther 3:9-10] When Mordecai, Esther, and the Jews found out they were targeted they all were troubled.
It took Mordecai asking Queen Ester to speak with King Xerxes about showing mercy to the people of the Jews, for the petition to be revoked. But before that could happen, an invitation was granted to Haman on behalf of Queen Esther and King Xerxes. This made Haman feel important and honorable, so much so that he went home and bragged to his wife and friends about it. [Esther 5:11-12]
With hatred still in his heart and the petition still in motion to destroy the Jews, Haman’s wife and friends suggested that he should kill Mordecai before the party by impaling him on a pole. He hastened to the King to have the approval to kill Mordecai before the party only to find out the King has shown favor to Mordecai, due to Mordecai saving his life earlier on. Haman was troubled and returned back home to his wife and friends to tell them all of what happened, but he still tried to pursue the motion to kill Mordecai and the Jews. [Esther 6]
The downfall of Haman was his pride. Having to always boast about his accomplishments, manipulating the King, and thinking that the King saw him as more honorable than anyone else. The King was thinking of another person, leading to Haman being executed on the pole that Haman had set up to kill Mordecai with. [Esther 7]
Haman’s Prideful Tendencies
Upon being promoted, instead of humbling himself after that great achievement, he made it a point to go after Mordecai to flaunt his superiority so that he could get him to do what he desired, which was to bow or pay homage to him.
Haman was overly confident that the King wouldn’t fact-check him in regards to the Jews being a menace in his kingdom. In doing so he gave Haman the green light to execute them all. Haman abusing his rank and power makes him lack mercy for others.
It’s one thing to share exciting news with friends and family but it’s another to boast about it and make it known of all the achievements that you have made.
Haman was never satisfied unless he got his way
Haman self-righteousness and greed consumed him
Haman deemed himself the only honorable person when it came to the King. So much so that he made a fool out of himself trying to feed his pride. [Esther 6:6]
How Pride Affects Us
The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished
Proverbs 16:5
And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.”And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?”(Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
Mark 7:14-23
Pride leads to death. Point. Blank. Period.
The seed of Pride sows destruction and utter chaos.
Pride shows your insecurities due to overcompensating in what you lack in.
Pride brings you low.
Worldly Perspective
In this world, it’s so easy to get caught up in pride. It’s shown on TV shows, displayed in music videos, and has now become a social norm to always record yourself giving to others the less fortunate or needy.
The issue with pride comes in when we expect it and it’s no longer genuine anymore. Pride is a slippery slope and needs to be managed accordingly. Rejoice, yes, in accomplishments and in well-doing but don’t be boastful in them.
The world encourages you to be proud and always reflect on your accomplishments in a boastful manner. In today’s society, the music industry has become the mecca of pridefulness.
Everyone displays a narcissistic attitude to having money, and gaining fame, deeming that pridefulness and boastfulness as the criteria for what it means to be successful. Especially to those who always have to film themselves doing well or showcasing their possessions as a result of being so successful.
In addition to doing well, the world sometimes honors you with worldly titles to commemorate your achievements. There’s nothing wrong with being honored or praised. Even the bible mentions to us to let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips. [Proverbs 27:2] It’s when you try to constantly remind others of your well doings and live up to that title to make others lesser than, then it’s a problem. That’s pride.
Let’s be clear, it’s completely fine to have people reward you for something and sing your praises for your efforts. We just have to get over ourselves wanting acknowledgment for anything and everything because once we are conditioned in that sense we attach instant gratification to it. This loses sight of the whole purpose of why we are doing it. Everything is for the glory of God
Shades of Pride
Read these statements below and see if these apply to you or not. If so, then jot them down and give them to God in prayer. Ask God to show you your errors so you can correct your behavior by using His Word.
I don’t like being vulnerable because people will see my flaws and won’t think I’m perfect anymore!
I fake it, to make it because I don’t like confiding in anyone!
My ego will not allow me to be vulnerable!
The way I do it is best!
I don’t think there’s anything I can learn from you!
They’ll do what I say or else!
Without me you're nothing!
If I leave now, then everything will then fall apart!
Did you hear about what I just did? Everyone is talking about it!
I don’t need supervision!
I didn’t do that!
I don’t need anyone else’s opinion, I know I’m right!
Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests but also the interests of others. Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus
Philippians 2:3-5
Characteristics of Pride
Insecure
You hide your vulnerability to the world and to yourself but present an exterior toughness or a persona that you have it all together but really you're broken inside and filled with anxieties.
Self-righteous
is a way of thinking you are better than everyone and you are deemed “special”. You come off as condescending, judgemental, and highly critical to others. You have a know-it-all or entitled presence about you. But deep down this is completely far from the truth and you know it!
Controlling
If things are not the way you want them then they are considered wrong. You think you have your life in control as well as a handle on others and can become overwhelmed when your life and others are not going the way you like them to go. Being this characteristic makes it hard for God to work on your behalf.
Power-hungry
You have to be in charge or else you feel less than. You have to know everything so that you seem more important and prepared. You crave power and will do anything to get it.
Competitiveness
You have to be the best at everything you achieve at. Your goal is to do it better, faster, and first. Having this trait makes you lose sight of your “Why”. If you’re not doing it for the glory of God then you’re doing it for the approval of others or yourself, which is self-righteousness.
Perfectionist
If whatever your doing is not up to the standard of perfection then you are not satisfied. Perfection can never be achieved for human beings because we can never be perfect.
Boastful
Any two times you have to brag or list out your accomplishments to others to prove a point then you’re boastful. Pride causes you to showboat and show off to get attention and approval from others.
Put Your Pride In ✅
Golden Nuggets I Leave You!
Hey Golden Dreamers, I hope you enjoyed today’s message on the Spirit of Pride. I hope that this bible session and discussion penetrated your mind, heart, and soul. I pray you were moved by the readings of the Word, so much so that it shifted your life in alignment with God’s expectation of you.
Be sure to always check your pride at the door. Treat others how you want to be treated. If you don’t like it when people are prideful then don’t be one of them. Lastly, I’ll say this, before you do anything in this world, check your heart first. Jesus is the symbol of everlasting love and he came from an everlasting God who created you. Be kind. Pridefulness kills, but humbleness heals.
My ultimate prayer is that you use the information provided and the tools, like the worksheets to further expand your knowledge. In this, I pray Amen.
Questions To Consider: Ask yourself these questions. Print them out or jot them down and really give them some thought. Feel free to share if desired, no pressure.
Do I have a problem with my pride? Does it get in the way when establishing or keeping relationships?
What areas in your life do you find you need to show more humility? Church Life? Household? Work-Life? Social Life perhaps?
Am I truly aware of my actions and how I treat people? Some may say of course not but ask your close and honest friends and family and see what they say. People can be unaware of how condescending they are to others and they don’t even know it simply because they mask it by thinking “well this is how I am”. When really is just an excuse to act the way you want to without correction.
Read Malachi 4:1-2, In your own words, what does it mean to you, and how does it make you feel?
Can you be proud of yourself without falling into sin? Yes, or No, Explain your answer. Is there a gray area?
Be to pick up a copy of the Deadly Series Worksheet: Pride vs Humble.