Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before the fall."

Pride: to be arrogant, to have a proud look, to be swollen up, to swell in ones' self, faith in self more than God

Haughty: to be high minded, to have pride, loftiness, to have an arrogance of one self, to see yourself above others

What's wrong with pride? - It can ruin your relationship with God and with others as well

Pride is a destructive spirit, whereas humility increases you.

So how do you overcome the spirit of pride?

  1. Recognize the dangers of pride.
    1. Pride blinds us to our own weaknesses and makes us rely on our own strength rather than God's.
      1. God is a jealous God and He doesn't want you to put someone or something else before Him. He created you, and he wants to sustain you in this life. Pride can blind your need for God and cause you to rely on yourself.
      2. Romans 8:14 says we know we are children of God when we humbly allow Him to lead us. Pride causes us to listen to our own understanding and direct our own path.
    2. You can recognize that you have the spirit of pride when you:
      1. Don't pray and try to handle problems yourself
      2. Don't go to church to encourage and be encouraged by the saints
      3. Don't read the word of God to listen to His voice
  2. Embrace humility. Philippians 2:3-4 'Do nothing from selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. '
    1. Humility involves putting others before yourself and serving them with a sincere heart. 
      1. What does it look like to serve others today?
    2. Humility involves following the example of Jesus who humbled himself even to the point of death. Jesus - the Son of God - lived a humble life for the sake of the Father and He is the most blessed. When you live like Jesus, you will be blessed.
      1. What does it look like to live like Jesus in this way?
  3. Submit to God's will. James 4:6-7  'But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. '
    1. Submiting to God's will involves acknowledging our dependence on Him and surrendering our plans and desires to His greater purpose. Through this submission we find true freedom from pride and receive God's unlimited grace. 
    2. How will you submit to His will, according to His word, which tells us His purpose and plans and reveal His blessings?

Overcoming pride is a continual process that requires self-awareness and a commitment to humility and a willingness to submit to God's will. When you recognize the dangers of pride, embrace humility, and submit to God, you can walk in the fullness of His grace and experience a deeper relationship with Him and with others. 

What greater way to humble yourself than to surrender your life to Jesus? Consider giving your life entirely to Jesus today.