“THE PROUD RESIST GOD: in their understanding they resist the truths of God; in their will they resist the laws of God; in their passions they resist the providence of God; therefore, no wonder that God resists the proud.” Matthew Henry quoting James 4:7, “God gives grace to the humble, but He resists the proud”. Biblical pride is, “self-respect or improper and excessive self-esteem known as conceit or arrogance”. Enter the selfie Narcissus generation. Mythology tells the story of how he would look at his reflection all the time and fell in love with himself. Pride can be defined as elevating one`s opinions and thoughts above God`s authoritative Word.
This is a NT and OT theme. Maybe you don’t understand what pride is? Pride is not just found in the boasting of your accomplishments and achievements; false humility (not easily recognized) and self-righteousness is pride. Obviously self conceit and admiring yourself too much is pride. But, do you always have to be right and have the last word? There’s some pride lurking. Do defend, deflect and deny when someone corrects you? Will you receive instruction? These are all pride issues. Pride is anytime you exalt your thinking over God’s Word. It is anytime you exalt your way over God’s way. Pride is anytime you do what you want and make your own decisions and blaze a path based on your fleshly wisdom rather than submit to God’s Word and His wisdom. Often experience exalts itself over the Word and manifests itself in pride.
“Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.” Proverbs 16:5
Perhaps you do not know that the enemy of our souls often attacks through pride? It is how he fell from heaven and pride has shown to work on mankind throughout every generation. Do you not understand that true satanism is “I am my own god”? Two of the laws of satanism are: “Do what you will” and “love is the only law”. Interesting? There’s a reason the preaching coming out of the church is “just love”. But it’s not God’s love, it’s humanistic, fleshly, prideful, sinful love that does not obey God and spurns His Word. Satan has turned love into sinful pride through ignorance of His Word and tolerance of sin. From worship to preaching, the prevailing message of todays church is one of self exaltation, self conceit and self promotion.
“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.” Proverbs 8:13
Do a regular pride checkup- it creeps in unaware. Have nothing to do with pride. Do not be ignorant of Satan’s devices. If someone speaks falsely against you, who cares. If you are falsely accused, let it go. Let the righteous smite you, it is a grace. Let the Holy Spirit examine your heart for pride and repent of your own way, let the Lord correct and instruct you. He will abundantly pardon and bring a time of refreshing.
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page
