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There is over 60 verses in the bible that talks about pride. If you would like to read all those verses you can check them out HERE Why so many verses? I think it is because pride is one of our biggest stumbling blocks to living a whole and Godly life. Our stubborn pride can lead us into all sorts of heartache, pain, hurt and ultimately it pulls us away from God and Godly people.
Beth Moore wrote a poem in her book, “Praying God’s Word: Breaking Free from Spiritual Strongholds.”
My name is Pride. I am a cheater.
I cheat you of your God-given destiny…because
you demand your own way.
I cheat you of contentment…because you
“deserve better than this.”
I cheat you of knowledge…because you already
know it all.
I cheat you of healing…because you’re
too full of me to forgive.
I cheat you of holiness…because you refuse to
admit when you’re wrong.
I cheat you of vision…because you’d rather look
in the mirror than out a window.
I cheat you of a genuine friendship…because
nobody’s going to know the real you.
I cheat you of love…because real romance
demands sacrifice.
I cheat you of greatness in heaven…because you
refuse to wash another’s feet on earth.
I cheat you of God’s glory…because I convince
you to seek your own.
My name is Pride. I am a cheater.
You like me because you think I’m always looking out for you.
Untrue. I’m looking to make a fool of you.
God has so much for you, I admit, but don’t worry…
If you stick with me
You’ll never know.
The opposite of pride is humility. When we are humble, our lives change. What we think about, spend our time and money on completely changes how we choose to live life. If we refuse to humble ourselves and choose to live pride full lives before God, we can expect God’s displeasure. I’m sure you know of people who are always boasting about how great they are. Or how awesome their children are. Or they boast about what they have. Or they are more pure or more holy than this person who does this or that. Or how intelligent they are and how much they know. Or how their stuff is better than so and so’s stuff. Or how much money they have. Then there are the folks that are prideful about what they don’t do and don’t have. The pride list is long and I am sure we could add more to it.
Let’s not forget that there is something we can boast about! It is Jesus and His work on the Cross. We can take pride in Him. We can be full of joy and talk about what He has done for us and share about His grace and mercy. There is nothing wrong with being joyful over a ministry going well and how God is working. It is all about the motives of the heart. Who know’s your heart? Only you and God.
Below are some of my favourite verses about pride. I’m sure you have heard the phrase “pride goes before a fall” that comes from the bible. If we don’t choose to humble ourselves then often our circumstance or God will. Let’s choose to live less pride fully and live with more humility.
Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Psalm 10:4 (NIV)
“In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.”
Proverbs 11:2 (NIV)
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
1 John 2:16 (NIV)
“For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”
Psalm 31:18 (NIV)
“Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.”
Proverbs 13:10 (NIV)
“Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take
advice.”
Living In Grace 