Pride?

by Sheila South

A The Kids & Me Contributor

At this time of year when so much emphasis is placed on exercising and celebrating "pride", perhaps we should consider how…

Pride Prevents Progress.

Pride prevents progress because progress begins where pride ends: with humility, honesty, repentance, and a willingness to change. 

The fall of Satan is often presented in Christian teaching as the ultimate example of how pride prevents progress. Rather than accepting his God-given position, Satan (aka Lucifer or the angel of light) - desired exaltation beyond what God had appointed.

Satan’s pride did not elevate him—it destroyed him.

In Isaiah 14:12–15, Satan repeatedly says:

"I will ascend..." "I will exalt my throne..." "I will be like the most High."

The emphasis is on self-exaltation. Pride convinced him that his assigned place was not enough. Pride blinded Satan to reality.

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. ~Proverbs 16:18-19 (NIV)  

Pride Prevents Progress in Personal Growth

In our day-to-day lives, pride can have similar effects on us.  We can be blinded to reality.  Pride can actually bind and limit our growth.

Personal growth begins when a person is willing to recognize his shortcomings and make necessary changes. Yet pride stands as one of the greatest obstacles to that process. Pride resists correction, rejects accountability, and refuses to admit weakness. It convinces a person that he is already right, already sufficient, and has little need to change. As a result, pride keeps him stuck where he is, preventing him from becoming what he could be. True growth begins with humility—the willingness to learn, to be corrected, and to change.

• Pride will prevent a person from seeing and admitting one's own error.

• Pride will prevent a person from receiving correction.

• Pride will prevent a person from learning from mistakes.

• Pride will prevent a person from admitting ignorance.

• Pride will prevent a person from garnering important life lessons from past experience.

• Pride will prevent a person from seeking help.

• Pride will prevent a person from learning from those who know more.

• Pride will prevent a person from accepting wise counsel.

• Pride will prevent a person from cultivating a teachable spirit.

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. ~Philippians 2:3

Pride Prevents Progress in Healthy Relationships

While pride hinders personal growth, its effects do not stop with the individual. Pride inevitably spills over into our relationships with others. A person who refuses to admit his faults before himself will often refuse to admit them before others. The same pride that resists correction also resists reconciliation, forgiveness, and selfless love. As pride elevates self, it diminishes the value of others, creating barriers where there should be unity. For this reason, pride not only prevents progress in personal growth—it also prevents progress in healthy relationships.

• Pride will prevent a person from apologizing sincerely.

• Pride will prevent a person from making restitution for wrongs committed.

• Pride will prevent a person from moving toward mending a broken relationship.

• Pride will prevent a person from seeking reconciliation after conflict.

• Pride will prevent a person from forgiving.

• Pride will prevent a person from serving others selflessly.

• Pride will prevent a person from celebrating the success of others.

• Pride will prevent a person from recognizing one's dependence upon others.

 "For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted" — Luke 14:11 (NIV)

Pride Prevents Progress

in Maturing into Christlike Character

Satan -the angel of light who fell because of pride- said, "I will exalt myself."

Jesus, though equal with God, humbled Himself and became obedient unto death (see Philippians 2:5–11).

One sought exaltation and was cast down.

The Other embraced humility and was exalted by God the Father.

• Pride will prevent a person from changing course when headed in the wrong direction.

• Pride will prevent a person from showing genuine gratitude.

• Pride will prevent a person from responding graciously to criticism.

• Pride will prevent a person from exercising compassion toward those who fail.

• Pride will prevent a person from showing patience toward difficult people.

• Pride will prevent a person from growing in wisdom.

• Pride will prevent a person from valuing others above self.

• Pride will prevent a person from submitting to God-ordained authority.

• Pride will prevent a person from confessing sin openly and honestly.

• Pride will prevent a person from loving others sacrificially.

 "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God..." — Psalms 10:4 (KJV)

Pride Prevents Spiritual Restoration

The gospel of Jesus Christ itself follows this pattern of humility rather than pride.

No one comes to God by asserting his own goodness. A person comes to God by acknowledging one's need. Salvation begins when pride is laid down and mercy is sought.

The tax collector in Jesus' parable would not even lift up his eyes to heaven but cried, "God be merciful to me a sinner." He went home justified because he approached God with humility rather than self-exaltation.

• Pride will prevent a person acknowledging his transgression against a Holy God.

• Pride will prevent a person from acknowledging daily sin.

• Pride will prevent a person from exercising true repentance.

• Pride will prevent a person from recognizing his need for grace.

• Pride will prevent a person from trusting God.

• Pride will prevent a person from surrendering his will to God's will.

• Pride will prevent a person from entering heaven.

  
  

Pride keeps a person clinging to who he is; humility allows him to become who he should be. Progress begins the moment a person values truth more than ego, repentance more than excuses, and growth more than self-protection. 

As we hear the many references to “pride’ this month, let us be reminded each time of the many ways pride prevents progress.

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