Today, we are talking about pride and how we can combat it.

In last week’s post, we talked about putting new wine in an old skin.  It is important to be recreated in the image of God.  It starts with our heart, and if you didn’t see the post from last week, you can check it out here. 

Once we are recreated inside, it is important to change the outside.  It starts with our attitude.  Today we are talking about pride.

Pride is destructive.  It sent Satan tumbling to the earth (Luke 10:18).  Pride made Goliath the giant mock God and sent his head rolling on the ground.  Jesus said that it’s easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven.  

Why?  Pride.

Our Text

2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

Proverbs 11:2 KJV

Pride brings Shame

Remember the story that Jesus told about the banquet?  He said not to seat yourself at the most important part of the table because when someone better comes in you will be asked to move to the lowest part.  You will have shame because you lifted yourself up in pride (Luke 14:8-11).

Said a different way….

16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Matthew 20:16 KJV

It is important to recognize that with pride comes shame.  When we walk in pride, we are just waiting to fall.  The two go hand in hand.  

To be proud is to be void of wisdom. 

Wisdom includes Humility & Lowliness

When you are wise, you are lowly in thought.  That is what verse 2 of Proverbs chapter 11 says. You aren’t position minded.  In the kingdom of God, the more mature you are the more you are supposed to be a servant to others.  

Laying your life down in humility is the greatest form of honor you as a Christian can have.  

How do I grow in humility?

So the next logical question is how do I grow in humility.  It is great to know what to do, but the true question is how do I change?  

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Proverbs 9:10 KJV

If wisdom and humility are connected, if you get more wisdom you’ll grow in more humility too.  This is where the fear of the Lord comes in.

The “fear” of the Lord

The word “fear” means reverence.  When you give the Lord the place he deserves in your life, you suddenly start to realize that you aren’t all that in a bag of chips. 

In other words, “You don’t have it all figured out.  You aren’t as great as you thought you were.” 

Loving & Serving makes you Spiritual

Everyone wants to have their title or position in the church.  They want to receive honor and recognition for the good things that they did/do.  Remember what Jesus said about those people? 

1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 6:1 KJV

Loving and serving people make you spiritual not your gifts or diploma or experience.  Not a bit of that matters if you don’t love people and serve people the way God wants you to. 

It starts with God

You might be saying, “This is great.  I need to be more humble.  I need to pay attention to others more and make sure to love them and serve them, BUT HOW?” 

It starts with God.  Make sure that you spend time with God each and every day.  “The fear of the Lord…” brings wisdom.  Make sure to give God the place that He deserves in your life, and as you walk with Him and talk with Him, He will show you how to love and serve others.

It won’t be complex or hard. It will just be little simple things that you can do each and every day to show the love of God to others and walk with Him.

If you have enjoyed this post and want to see more like it, check out our other posts here.