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Aren't You
Too Proud?
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A man convinced many that he had finished college. He got a job in an
office. However, time came when he was required by his office to take the
board exam. Since he could not present a transcript of records that was
needed before taking that exam, he became afraid that his lie might be
discovered, so he stopped reporting for work. He locked himself in his room
and talked to a statue of stone in his room. He received the ability to ‘heal the
sick’. Later, it became evident that an evil spirit had possessed him, and he
became violent.

Indeed, because of his pride, he lied and would not admit he had not
finished his studies. As a result, he lost his job, his girlfriend, and even his
sanity.

You might ask, “Can that happen because of pride?” Let us see what the
Bible says:

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

(1 Peter 5:5)

“…. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee
from you. …. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
(James 4:6-10)

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

(Proverbs 16:18)

A proud person does not trust God in the area he is confident (Habakkuk
2:4) nor does he submit himself to God nor resist the devil who is proud
(Isaiah 14:12-14). As a result, God opposes him. He falls and his life is
destroyed. That is what happened to the man in our story. So…

DO NOT BE PROUD!

To stir yourself away from pride, here are some suggestions:

DO NOT COMPARE YOURSELF WITH OTHERS.

In comparing themselves with Apostle Paul, the false teachers in Corinth

claimed to be better speakers (2 Corinthians 10:10). In response, Paul said:

“We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who

commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and
compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.” (2
Corinthians 10:12)

Yes, it is foolish for you to compare yourself with others. See for example
the following result of such actions:

John and Michael lived in the same apartment. Each time John shared
something good that happened in his work, Michael had a better story. One
time, John was so enthusiastic about a job development. But fearing that
Michael would try to surpass his story again, John decided to keep his story for
himself.
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Indeed, unhealthy comparison hinders good relationship with the one to

whom you are comparing yourself.

Are you like Michael? … How often do you speak and brag about
yourself? ... What is your motive? ... Do you want to inspire others and glorify
God? ... Or, do you just want to be recognized? …

In order to be recognized and looked up to, do you brag about your

credentials − abilities, status, talents, educational attainment,
accomplishments (2 Corinthians 11:15-30)? Are you doing that to shame
others? ... to insult them? ... to cause them to be envious? ... Do you crave
the adulation in being the center of attention? ...

If you want to boast, boast of your weakness. Be like the Apostle Paul who
said:

“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness….” (2
Corinthians 11:30-31)

Have you told someone, “You are just a novice! And you are the one who
is supposed to teach me? I am the one with more experience!” Is it obvious
that you so believe in yourself that you can no longer listen and learn from
others?

If you are tempted to compare yourself with others, just compare yourself
with what Christ would do if He were in your situation. Paul said:

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”

(1Corinthians 11:1)

He also told the Philippians:

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility

consider others better than yourselves….”
(Philippians 2:3-11)

Did you consider yourself better and more important (NAS) than others? ...
Were there instances where you insisted on having your own way? ... If so,
you had been proud!

You might ask, “What if my ways are really better than others. What
should I do?”
It is good if you pray for people whom you think are less qualified than
yourself. Do something also to help them in their weakness, instead of
belittling them.

HONOR OTHERS

Paul wrote to the Roman believers:

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above
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yourselves.” (Romans 12:10)

If you were in a group that succeeded in a project, whose work did you
first give the credit to—that of others or yourself? ... Did you value the
contribution of others in the group? … or, you did not even notice it? …

LOVE ONE WHO REBUKES YOU

“Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he
will love you.” (Proverbs 9:8)

When you are rebuked, criticized or counseled, do you get angry? ... Do
you say, “I don’t see anything wrong with what I did!… You don’t understand
me! Why is it that I get the blame?” ...Instead of reacting at once, why don’t
you first really listen?… Could it be pride?…

Do you think you are so important that you act as if God’s purposes would
not be accomplished without your help? ...

“If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives

himself.” (Galatians 6:3)

DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN A DEBATE WHICH DOES NOT HELP IN HOLINESS

Are you so confident of your doctrine that you are ready to argue and
defend it? ... When you argued, were some saved from sin and hell in the
process? Were they strengthened in their faith? ... If not, it was vain for you
to argue! (1 Timothy 1:3-7) ...

What is the outcome of your debates? Did it

result in “envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction”? If
so, you are conceited:

“If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound
instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited
and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and
quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil
suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who
have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to
financial gain.” (1 Timothy 6:3-5)

Does this mean you are not to answer any question when others have
different points of view? No. The Apostle Peter gives us a clear command:

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give
an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that
you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” (1 Peter 3:15)

Such readiness is seen in the lives of Apostle Paul and Apollos:

As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath
days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and
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proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. (Acts 17:2-3)

Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews

and Greeks. (Acts 18:4)

For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from

the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
(Acts 18:28)

Indeed, not all debates are evil and expose pride. Some may be used for
the good of others.

DO NOT PRETEND TO BE WISE!

Pride can also be seen in the conceit that you know everything about the
topic of conversation:

Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the

standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become
wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is
written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; and again, “The Lord
knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” So then, no more boasting
about men! ... (1Corinthians 3:18-21)

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool
than for him. (Proverbs 26:12)

It is not wrong to be wise. The Lord commands that we be wise (Matthew

10:16). Wisdom is needed in life (Hosea 4:6).
However, we are not to be “wise by the standards of this age”. Such
wisdom does not lead us to know God better:

“For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not
know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached
to save those who believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:21)

This means that all the principles, beliefs and convictions which are contrary
to the knowledge of God are part of worldly wisdom.

Do you trust in your own intelligence? … your wisdom? ... Do you feel as if
you know everything there is to be known about doctrines, methods and
other things about the Bible or God? ...

Remember:

“The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he
ought to know.” (1 Corinthians 8:2)

When someone talks about a topic you already know, do you listen? ... If
not, you do not yet know what you need to know!

DO NOT TRUST ON YOUR OWN ABILITIES

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If there was someone who pleased God by his own ability (his flesh), it
would be the Apostle Paul. However, in his service to God, he said:

“If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I
have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the
tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;
as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness,
faultless.” (Philippians 3:4-6)

“and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

(Romans 8:8 NAS)

How about you my friend? In pleasing God, whom do you trust? ... In
what you are doing, do you trust in your strength and abilities? ... in your
financial capability? ... in those whom you know? ... in those who know
you? ...

Do not be like the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar! He trusted in his own

ability ... and he became mentally sick (Daniel 4:28-37). Like that of
Nebuchadnezzar, your pride can cause you to be deceived:

“For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives

himself.” (Galatians 6:3 NAS)

Be truthful to yourself. Admit any sin God may reveal to you now:

“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the
truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8 NAS)

Check ( ) the sins you have committed.

MY PRIDE (1Peter 5:5; Proverbs 18:18) IS SEEN WHEN:

♦ I compared myself to others (2Corinthians 10:12).
♦ I considered myself better than others (Philippians 2:3-11) that I asserted
that they do things my way or according to my standard or was not
gracious with their mistakes.
♦ I valued/honored myself more than I valued others (Romans 12:10)
♦ I envied others’ possessions, victory or fame (James 3:16).
♦ I spoke as if I know everything that can be known about a topic
(1Corinthians 8:2). As a result, there were times that I dominated the
conversation.
♦ I acted as if God’s work would not be accomplished without me.
♦ I trusted my own intelligence, money or connections to accomplish God’s
work (Philippians 3:4-6; Romans 8:8).
♦ I got mad at the one who rebuked me (Proverbs 9:8).
♦ I thought I cannot deviate from our family’s tradition.
♦ I participated in a debate which did not help either toward the salvation of
others or their edification. Instead, it resulted in “envy, strife, malicious
talk, evil suspicions and constant friction.” (1Timothy 6:3-5)
Suggested Prayer: “God, I no longer want to boast of my abilities. I shall
now seek to honor others. I shall follow your humility. When I want to
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boast, I will boast of You in my weaknesses.”

“But let him who boasts boast in the Lord.

For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved,
but the one whom the Lord commends.”
(2 Corinthians 10:17-18)

If you want to be forgiven in any of the sins listed here, you may write
me at equippers@msn.com. You may also want to read this 2 page
link: http://www.scribd.com/doc/22396398/Do-You-Want-to-
Always-be-with-God-who-Reigns.

Questions for Discussion:

1. How did you see your pride when you read this chapter?
2. Read Philippians 2:3-11. How did Jesus demonstrate the opposite of pride?
… If you imitate Jesus, what will you do now?