“…God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble”. – James 4:6 (NKJV)
Webster’s first definition of pride is “an overly high opinion of one’s self and exaggerated self-esteem and conceit.” Lynne Namka, author of the book “Having Pride for the Wrong Reasons – Healthy Pride and False Pride,” stated, “False pride is destructive when you are proud of doing something that hurts others. With false pride, it is pure ego. A person might be proud of being lazy, stubborn, or even bullying and hurting others.”
She warned, “Beware of gloating about your ability to put others down,” and “The need to obtain power over others thwarts your ability to have loving relationships.” Lynne Namka further highlighted that egotistical self-shouts, “My way! My way over others,” are when one is attempting to change the reality of how things are in the moment. Basically, the ego is trying to preserve itself.
Individuals with false pride are given to bragging and boasting and exemplify dishonesty, arrogance, and conceit (Psychology Today). This self-aggrandisement – or better, grandiosity – is, in fact, at the very core of what most professionals regard as highlighting a narcissistic personality disorder.
More importantly, Proverbs 16:5 states, “The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: they will not go unpunished.”
Pride is an attitude that should not be associated with any believer. It drains the anointing of God and chases the Spirit of God from us. All believers must fight to humble themselves and obey God’s purpose in their lives because pride is the key that can turn the gate of good into the gate of evil.
Beloved, the selfish concept of I, me, and myself is a resident evil that has its genesis in Lucifer’s declaration, “…I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:13-14 – KJV).
Lucifer led a rebellion with the support of some of the angelic hosts to dethrone God. He was defeated and banished from heaven (Luke 10:18). Satan’s fall “like lightning” indicates that his judgement in heaven was swift and obvious.
The sin of false pride is hatched in the bowels of hell, and all those who are enveloped in this diabolical doctrine need to repent lest they experience eternal death and damnation. Proverbs 16:18 (NKJV) states, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Beloved, let’s humble ourselves before Jehovah God.
Read: Proverbs 11:2; Galatians 6:4
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 18:7-16; Romans 10:5-21; Romans 11:1-10; I Chronicles 2:18-55; I Chronicles 3; I Chronicles 4:1-8
