There are two practical problems impeding our abiding with Christ: the constant interruption caused by our sin, compounded by busyness. So a starting point is to more deeply understand the nature and extent of sin in our lives, and the specific temptations we may have towards pride, fear, gluttony, lust, and other derivative sins. These sins manifest themselves in ways that are "clingingly, deftly, deceptively entangling" (Hebrews 12:1, Amplified Bible).

The root of all these is the sin of pride. Pride separates. It separates us from God, from our authentic self, and from others in our life. How? Pride drives fear in us - of losing control, of disapproval, of being criticized, and of change. Pride is comparative, in that it encourages us to view life in light of others, instead of in light of Him.

Pride also deceives - it leads us to think more highly of ourselves (Rom. 12:3) and blinds me from seeing and acting out of my true dependence on Him (Phil 2:1-11).

Busyness is another dimension that causes sins of omission and misappropriation of resources. As achievers, we can become wrapped up in activity and no longer take the time to hear His still small voice. The worse-case scenario is that our activities “for God” fuel our pride. It is one of the enemy's most deadly strategies. Many have experienced how the thrill of ministry success can become a narcotic -- the goal we pursue until we are exhausted and disillusioned. When we place the "doing for God" ahead of "being with God", we suffer the consequences. (Luke 10:38-42).

Pride makes us feel special and unique. This statement does not refer to the uniqueness of being created in the image of God; rather, it’s the undue self-esteem which makes us feel more important that other people or other members of the body of Christ.

Pride leads us to concentrate on our rights instead of our responsibilities. We’re always looking at how our rights have been violated, instead of looking at how we can be responsible and accountable to God and people.

Pride produces hardness of heart. We become insensitive to the needs of others. The first sign of harness of heart is when we begin to withhold love from others.

Pride produces a lack of forgiveness. “Why should I forgive them? They hurt me.” Have you ever said that or thought that?

Pride produces self-pity. Self-pity is a bottomless pit; it’s never satisfied. We get into self-pity because we violate the scriptural injunction not to compare ourselves and others. (2 Cor. 10:12)

Pride produces fear of man. We become more concerned with what people think than with what God thinks. There are usually two causes: one, we haven’t seen the greatness of God for the situation; and two, our focus is on ourselves, rather than God.

Pride produces an unteachable spirit. How long does it take us to repent when conviction has been brought by the Spirit of God? If it takes a long time, there’s some work the Holy Spirit needs to do in the area of pride. (Proverbs 29:1.)

Pride prefers selfish interests over others’ needs.

Pride will not admit mistakes. We blame others and excuse ourselves; and then we say, “You’re picking on me. What are you doing that?”

Pride leads to stinginess. We are afraid there will not be enough left for ourselves.

Pride is sarcastic in humor. We cut other people down with humor. Sarcastic humor implies, “You’re not going to be elevated above me in any way; therefore, I’m going to cut you down so that I can look down on you.” Listen, godly humor edifies; it builds up, and it’s very creative. Anything sarcastic is not from God, because God does not have a sarcastic heart.

Pride leads us to rely on our own wisdom and understanding. It brings about an inability to see clearly, to think things through, and to hear the Word of the Lord. If pride has a place in our hearts, we’ll misunderstand what God is saying.

Pride produces an independent or non-submissive spirit that leads us to adhere to the letter of the law, neglecting the spirit of the law.

Pride causes impatience with others which we may label as a personality conflict. There is no such thing as a personality conflict in the body of Christ. It’s not a question of who’s right or who’s wrong, but how I respond. We need to learn to give up our right to be right and to meekly seek out the best in others (Matt. 5). By the way, this is not being a doormat, but rather a lover of others.

Pride responds with judgment, slander, and criticism – sometimes speaking the truth to someone who doesn’t have a right or a need to know. Pride also produces lies as we attempt to “win with words” and control disagreements rather than truly understand each other.

Pride produces discontentment. Are we discontent with where God leads us and the people He has put us with? Do we covet a more spiritual spouse or friends? Are we always wanting to be somewhere else, doing something else? If God has led you where you are, get your heart in the situation until you are content with where He’s led you; stop looking somewhere else! God does not authorize spiritual butterflies or spiritual bumblebees.

Pride needs to be begged to do something. If you need to be begged to do something that’s within your gifts and abilities, ask yourself why. Is it because you want to become the center of attention?

Pride makes excuses before it begins. If the Spirit of God is going to receive the glory in and through your life, don’t make excuses that rob the Spirit of God from receiving any glory. Just shut up and do what you’ve been asked to do.

Pride produces insecurity in our lives because we haven’t seen God for who He is. If we do, we’ll be so excited and expanded with who God is that we’ll then be able to handle the revelation of who we are and put our lives in proper perspective; then we won’t need to be insecure anymore.

Pride expects others to consult us, and is offended when we are not consulted. Pride demands that others go through what you went through. If something was a requirement for you to get to at certain spiritual plateau, then it’s got to be a requirement for everyone else. God is able to bring anyone to maturity on his terms and his timing. In the Bible God often works in places and with people that “religious people” least expect!

Pride is envious or jealous. We don’t rejoice with others’ blessings, but rather concentrate on why we weren’t blessed. Pride is at the heart of this selfishness.

Pride tries to touch God’s glory. Sometimes as I spoke, we saw a number of people come to the Lord; and as I began to relate the stories of what God had done, I found myself taking credit for God’s work. I began to attempt to touch God’s glory, and I found myself drying up spiritually until the Holy Spirit led me to the right perspective.

Pride wants to be strong. We don’t want to receive from others or to be vulnerable so that we have to receive.

Pride also masquerades as false humility – we don’t want to use our gifts or we manipulate others to recognize us with humble-sounding talk or behavior.

Pride produces selective submission. You have no doubt heard it said, “I’ll submit to them because I feel they are spiritually mature; but I won’t submit to this person.” You’d better learn to submit to each person under whose authority God puts you because He does it for a purpose.

Pride creates disloyalty and undermines authority. It is Absalom meeting the people when they come out from David; he hugs and kisses them and says, “Oh, poor David doesn’t understand; tell Absalom about it.” Have you been guilty of undermining authority because of pride?

Pride is ungrateful. Nothing is ever quite good enough.

Pride is suspicious. It is wondering what others are saying about you; suspecting what somebody may be thinking, when there hasn’t been any word communicated. But somehow you think you know; therefore, you act and make decisions based on what you think he’s thinking, which is usually totally in error.

Pride leads us to find unity anywhere other than in the cross of Jesus. We look for unity in our culture, our gifts, our callings, in tongues and languages, in denominations, in our theology; we look for unity anywhere other than in the cross – but that’s where our true unity is.

Here is a great prayer by Andrew Murray:
Lord, out of Your great goodness,
would You make known to me -
and take from my heart -
every bit of pride,
whether from evil spirits or
my own corrupt nature;
and awaken in me the deepest depth and
truth of that humility of Jesus
which can make me available for the work
of Your Light and Your Holy Spirit?
(Philippians 2:1-11).

Pride concentrates on what has not been done. “You know I’ve never been invited to their home. They’ve never had me for a special meal.” Stop concentrating on yourself. Have you ever invited them for a meal? Have you invited them for thirty meals?

Pride insists, “I was right; I don’t need to humble myself.”

In identifying some of the manifestations of pride, we can recognize the areas in our lives where pride may be present. Then through repentance and prayer, we can find victory. We can choose humility just as we choose pride.

The Bible says: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18) and “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, but humility goes before honor. (Proverbs 18:12)

Overcoming the Sin of Pride

References: Hebrews 12:1; Romans 12:3; Philippians 2:1-11; Luke 10:38-42; 2 Corinthians 10:12; Proverbs 29:1; Matthew 5; Proverbs 16:18; Proverbs 18:12

1. As you study these Scriptures ask yourself, “How do these verses apply to me?

2. What are the statements, quotes and examples you most resonate with?

3. How has your pride affected your walk with Christ? Ask the Spirit to reveal this to you.

4. How has your pride affected your marriage? Ask your spouse how they experience you.

5. How has your pride affected your important relationships? Ask your close friends.

6. Who might I need to confess to and ask forgiveness?

7. What prayers and notes from this study resonate? Ask God to help you live them!

8. What can I do differently starting tomorrow? Make an agreement with an accountability partner and commit to prayer and perseverance – and watch God change your heart!