Pride is a subtle and sneaky killer of our lives. It’s so sneaky that we don’t see it or know that it is there but it kills the most central and important areas of our lives. Pride indeed goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18). Pride is one thing that destroys most relationships, individuals, organizations and it is something God hates.
Some few signs that one is walking pride include:
- Refusal to listen to advice;
- False sense of entitlement;
- Blaming others for your mistake;
- Taking all credit for success;
- Attention seeking;
- Believing that you are better than everyone else;
- Never apologetic for your faults;
- Always wanting to be served than to serve.
There are so many fallouts caused by pride but in this writ-up, we would examine a few.
- Pride obstructs our relationship with God.
Psalm 10:4 – “In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room from God.”
Pride predisposes people to sin especially by magnifying Self-interest. A prideful mind is usually about ‘me’ focusing on ‘me’ than allowing God have His way or ‘me’ magnifying ‘me’ over God in my life. Pride cuts us off from God. Pride is literally a tool of the devil to alienate us from God because in our minds we think we have it all, we can do it, so what do we need God for? This is a very dangerous place to place to be.
- Pride wrecks our relationship with people.
Romans 12:16- “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.”
Have you ever had a friend or loved one who won’t just listen? Who talks about themselves all the time? Who seems to be able to show you everything you need to work on in life but doesn’t seem to recognize any shortcomings of theirs? Well that’s what pride does. It makes us feel superior above others, interrupts communication, hurts people and it can eventually isolates you. We are created to fellowship with others. Humans are created to operate in relationships. Even God functions through relationship and that is why we have the God head-Father, Son and Holy Spirit, working in synergy. We are better when we work together but if we operate in pride, we isolate ourselves.
- Pride makes us underrate prayer
Pride causes us to think we have all under control and as a result we don’t see any season to pray. We get to the point where we think we don’t need God. As a result, when we try to do things only with our own ability and they become impossible, we end up living in fear and anxiety. When you think you can do all things on your own ability, you start thinking prayer is not necessary. Life becomes more stressful when we do things depending on our strength. Relinguish pride and pray to God in every situation. There is peace in Christ.
- Pride kills our ability to grow
Pride won’t allow us learn, grow or keep developing. With pride we ask questions like “why do I need to learn anything?” We feel we have it all. This is such a dangerous place to be in. As long as we live, we should be continually learning and growing. No one knows it all.
- Pride nourishes Ingratitude
Pride stirs up a sense of entitlement, believing you own everything and as a result you live in ungratefulness for all God provides. There’s nothing better we do to be more deserving. It’s all God’s grace and he can take it all in the twinkle of an eye. So, becareful not to be caught in the web of ingratitude.
- Pride makes us a “People-pleaser“.
Pride makes you want to look around and see everyone manifying you or focusing on you more than others or even morethan God. Avoiding self-magnification seems tough because we all want to be applauded by all but this ends up making us to compromise our godly standards to receive applauds. Be humble, and God will lift you up. Humility also ignites a cordial relationship with fellow humans while pride only ruins such relationships.
Just a few signposts indicating one may be walking in pride have been highlighted in this post. Finding a solution to any disease starts by identifying the disease.You can take some time to do an introspection and identify some signposts which may be unique to you, indicating that you are walking in Pride. Then take some intentional steps to walk in humility.
BEWARE! Pride is a sneaky killer. It kills our relationships with fellow humanss. It wrecks our relationship with God, keeps us from learning and causes us to lose the good things God has in store for us.
Remember Proverbs 16:18 which says “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall..”
God bless you.