6 Ways Pride Sneaks Into Our Lives

What is God’s problem with pride?

I mean, wouldn’t God want me to celebrate my successes or take pride in a job well done? Of course, the answer is yes. The Bible actually teaches us that we are to work hard, and that God himself took satisfaction in His own creation (Gen. 1:31). This doesn’t describe the sin of pride. From scripture, we learn that pride is actually what caused Satan to be thrown out of heaven, and the fall of all humanity. It’s kind of a big deal and we see throughout the entire Bible that God cannot work with a prideful heart. James 4:6 says that “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Pride is a unique sin because it is often so hard to see in your own life compared to other sins.

The following isn’t an exhaustive list, but these are some common ways pride manifests itself:

1. Pride shows an unwillingness to learn

This is when you tune out leaders or teachers because you’ve “heard it before” or assume you know everything on the present subject. Proverbs 9:9 says, “Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.”

2. Pride is thinking you’re better than others

This looks like thinking that because someone has a different background, class, or culture they are somehow inferior to you. Romans 12:16 says, “Live in harmony with one another, do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position, do not be conceited.”

3. Pride thrives off of constant attention

This goes beyond just being the life of the party. This is when you need to be affirmed and praised for what you look like, who you are, and what you have done. This is dangerous because you begin to find your value and worth in what others say about you instead of finding your identity in who you are in Christ. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

4. Pride is being too good to perform certain tasks

Jesus made it clear that the greatest in his kingdom were those who were willing to serve. Jesus said in Matthew 20:27-28, “Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave – just as the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

5. Pride is critical

Pride is at the root of criticism because it comes from a place where you think you know better than the very thing you are critiquing. A critical spirit naturally tears things down, which is the opposite of what the Bible instructs us to do. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Encourage one another and build each other up.”

6. Pride refuses to ask for help

Throughout the Bible we are instructed to call on the Lord, to ask him and invite him into our daily situations. Jesus instructs us to ask and pray for his will to be done in our lives. One of the greatest antidotes for pride is to set aside our own will, for God’s will.

“Let your kingdom come, let your will be done.” Matthew 6:10