03/26/2024
Pride goes before a fall
A while ago I got digging into the topic of pride and made some discoveries.
I realized pride is not just the way we know it. It shows up in other forms that we may not be conscious of.
Forms of Pride
1. Wounded pride that makes us lash out. That one that makes us make statements like “Do you know who I am?”
Num 22:29
Balaam shouted you have made me look like a fool, if I had a sword I would kill you!
2. Pride that causes us to want recognition all the time Judges 8:1-3, Neh 3:5 or refuse work.
3. Pride that makes us take too much credit for deeds of others, showing off, self-exaltation, or self-promotion.
This can be seen in David’s Consensus 1 Chronicles 21:1
4. Pride through prejudice: This is a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason. Harman’s plot when he found out Mordecai was a Jew, he decided to destroy all Jews by his plan simply because Mordecai did not bow down or show respect for him.
5. When you constantly speak of your former achievements Job 29:7 Job came close to pride.
6. When other people’s success hurts your pride.
7. Self-righteousness Luke 18: 11-14.
When the Pharisee prayed saying thank God I am not a sinner like everyone else.
8. When we practice church discipline thinking we know all Satan’s evil schemes and that we can outsmart him. Let us all be alert and discerning because Satan is cunning 2Corinthians 2:11
9. Self-justification: Pride is when you expect a reward or credit from God for your deeds and actions. Luke 17: 7-10
10. Self-degradation: When you tear yourself down, you are being prideful eg the Tax collector who played small. He was self-absorbed…he stood at a distance and dared not lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Luke 18:13-14
11. Self-demotion leads to pride ( Pity party)
Self-pity does not come from the place of unworthiness but from a sense of unrecognized worthiness; it is the response of applauded pride.
Self-demotion is another form of self-promotion- When you castigate yourself in front of other people, you are fishing for affirmation. You want others to reaffirm saying No you are not a loser- you are a winner!
13. Self-condemnation: When a person condemns himself because he does not meet up to his standards. This person places perspectives, standards, and assessments above everyone else and above what God thinks of them. He resists God’s grace because he refuses to acknowledge God is the true source. He thinks he knows better.
Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. It is the comparison that makes us proud. The pleasure of being above the great. Once this element of competition is gone, pride is gone.
Comparison and competition welcome the temptation of pride.
We bless the lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
We give God the glory for light and Wisdom and how He continually teaches us.
We receive the grace to walk in virtue and righteous character at all times.
Please share if this blessed you.
Bisola Adebajo-Nathaniel
