We, as humans, are inclined to take pride in everything. We like to be honoured, to show off and to brag about our accomplishments. Pride can be good and it also can be sinful. Pride that gives God the glory for who He is; pride that boast about the greatness of our God, pride that praises and exalts God above everything; pride that thanks Him and makes His name known to everyone, pride that witnesses to others about the salvation of our God, pride that pays homage and worships God and bows down to him in obedience and total surrender, is the good pride.

Sinful pride is when we boast of ourselves instead of giving God the credit; when we are judgemental and cynical and look down on others; when we are in no need of God. A proud person dislikes confrontation, or any correction. He is not teachable, sow’s discords, is conceited, racist, discriminates, is selfish, shows partiality, is competitive, controlling, oppresses the weak and defenceless. Pride makes you think you are doing right when actually you are doing wrong. Pride is what makes some call themselves Atheist and leads them to hell. Pride is a religion by itself that exalts against the knowledge of God.

Sinful pride is like cancer; just like the different types and stages of cancers. So almost everyone has a certain kind of pride and a certain level of pride. Like cancer, pride is not easily detected. Like cancer, pride seems harmless until it is diagnosed and until it is terminal. Pride like cancer, if left untreated, will only fester and grow until it totally destroys you.

The nature of pride is deceptive and many are not aware that they are proud, and even if they realise it, they think it is harmless to be proud. If anything, pride makes people feel really good. Some would even take pride in their humility. “For if anyone thinks he is something, when in fact he is nothing, he is deceiving himself.” (Galatians 6:3)

Lion & LambThe Lord detests all the proud of heart. “Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.” (Proverbs 16:5) The Lord hates pride because pride exalts itself instead of exalting God. Pride tries to seek the glory that belongs only to God. Lucifer became a devil when he tried to exalt himself above God and it resulted in him be cast out of heaven (Isaiah 14:12-14). We are all born proud, because we are all born in iniquity. Many openly displace their pride. But there are many that are outwardly very humble, but inwardly proud of heart. God knows everything; He can see our outward expression and our inward impression, and there is nothing that is hidden from Him.

Pride is the origin of most sins. A haughty person not only exalts himself against God but also considers himself better than others. But God’s word teaches us the opposite. It says; “Don’t do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble toward one another, always considering others better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3) When a person is proud, he is disobedient to God. Pride breaches God’s commandments. Pride is treachery against God.

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6) For by grace you have been saved through faith. “And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) Grace is God’s marvellous power, which enables us to do things we could by no means do it on our own. Grace saves us, grace empowers us. Without grace we cannot accomplish anything and God gives His grace to the humble and is at enmity with the proud.

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18). The end of the matter is this: who can stand against God and win! Pride is against the very nature of God; pride defiles us. Pride is the very reason God created hell. Therefore it is sensible to repent and turn away from all pride and arrogance, and humble ourselves in front of God.

There is none that is born in humility. It is not something that falls on you; it is not a gift but rather a fruit of the Holy Spirit, something we cultivate and learn, we develop, and we grow into it. Jesus said; “learn from me, for I am meek and humble at heart” (Matthew 11:29). Jesus tells his disciples; “You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.  If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” (John 13:13-16)

We can be humble by serving one another. Meekness is not weakness, but rather it is strength and power displayed by grace and mercy. Meekness is when you are the master, but yet choose to serve others. God’s favour is upon the humble and they shall not go unrewarded. “The meek shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5) “The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord, are riches, honour and long life.” (Proverbs 22:4)

“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12) It is better to be exalted by God than for us to exalt ourselves. We learn humility by obeying God, exalting and praising Him, by submitting to His will and by serving others.

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