Pride in the life of a believer will put a huge stumbling block in your relationship with God. “But he giveth more grace, Wherefore the scripture saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble” (James 4:6). God is the only one deserving of glory, but the prideful heart desires glory. Pride causes the child of God to want to glorify themselves instead of God. Everything that is done for God’s kingdom should elevate God, but those walking in pride seek to elevate themselves. Ministry or any service done in the name of God should point others to God and not to ourselves. We have several tools that we can use to help us to walk in humility and resist pride.
The first step in dealing with pride, and a lot of other issues, is to allow God to control our thought life. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong hold;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). God has given us the ability to control our thought life. If you have a problem with pride, meditate on scriptures about pride and allow God’s Spirit to cast down the habit of being prideful. God’s word is powerful, and it will bring your thoughts in line with the new you, to one that was born again in God’s image. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). There are also character traits that we can adopt that help us fight against pride.
Having a spirit of thanksgiving helps us to overcome pride. Thanking God for our blessings helps us to remember that all that we have comes from God. Being thankful reminds us that God is our source, and every good thing that we have comes from him. Prideful people are usually not thankful because in their minds, they themselves are the source of their success. Thanking God acknowledges God’s place on the throne of our lives. Another powerful tool for fighting against pride is love.
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34). Pride is ultimately self-centered. It is a selfish desire for the adoration and respect of others. Love, on the other hand, is about putting the needs of others before yourself. The Christian who walks in love is motivated by a genuine desire to bless other. Our work in the ministry is done to bless others without any thought of personal gain. Meditate on scriptures about love, and God will help you to manifest a loving heart. Confession also helps combat the prideful heart.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Confessing the sin of pride allows our Father to cleanse us of the sin of pride. Sin, any sin, leaves a stain, and it actually damages a part of us. Because of that damage, we are left being susceptible to that particular sin. Confessing sin brings healing to our damaged areas, and we are then better able to put that sin away from us. Freedom from pride means a life that is more focused on God.
As we seek to be humble, God lifts us up. Our desire should be to reveal the glory that belongs to God alone. The Lord will greatly bless those who have a humble heart as they serve in his kingdom.
Grace and Faith Ministries 