The pride of life

Proverbs 11:2 (AMP) When pride comes [boiling up with an arrogant attitude of self-importance], then come dishonor and shame, but with the humble [the teachable who have been chiseled by trial and who have learned to walk humbly with God] there is wisdom and soundness of mind.

Social media is crazy these days. I have to watch what I read and what I allow to influence my opinions of others. I have to do the same when listening to other preachers. There is something that I noticed that is really popular with click bait, “we have been taught wrong.” There are some things we have had to unlearn, but most it was grounded in self. Listen, I am all for reading the Bible for ourselves, but I also teach that we should not be reading it for our right to live. As I was in prayer yesterday, the words “pride of life” came up and that is what we have to watch out for as ministers of the gospel. As I have written earlier, pride is so very easy to slide back into. Pride is all about self, self-worth, self-gain, self-acceptance, etc.

I was led to read Mark 7. Jesus is confronted by the Pharisees because they have witnessed his disciples did not ceremonially wash their hands before eating. He corrects them with a parable. What got my attention was, about hearing. Remember is Revelations 2 and 3 it was stated “those that have ears to hear let them hear”, this was repeated to all seven of the churches. I wrote about it in my blog titled Echo. This is what I asked myself on reflection of it:

Am I a hearer? Am I putting His Word forefront in my mind? Am I doing (taking action) according to His Word? Am I faithful to His Word? Those were the questions I asked myself. My husband has this checklist for us when we want to make sure we are successful: Am I where God called me to be? Am I doing what God called me to do? Am I doing it with the people God called me to be with? A heart for the ministry of reconciliation is going to answer yes to all three.

Mark 7:14-23 (MEV) When He had called all the people to Him, He said, “Listen to Me, every one of you, and understand: There is nothing from outside a man that by entering him can defile him. But the things which come out of the man are what defile him. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” When He had left the people and entered the house, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. He said to them, “Are you so without understanding also? Do you not know that anything from the outside that enters a man cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart, but into his stomach, and goes out into the sewer, thus purifying all foods?” And He said, “What comes out of a man is what defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adultery, fornication, murder, theft, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride and foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”

The battle of pride is one we fight within ourselves, but not alone. First let us identify what the pride of life really is. The pride of life is leaning on anything other than God, including yourself. It can be about the revelation you received and no one else. It is any thought of superiority to others. We can get so haughty as believers and take the set apart scriptures as self-building and self-protection. The pride of life has to do with an over emphasis of oneself. There is a temptation for gratification, and we seek it out in areas that would not be unhealthy but when turned inward become that way.

How do we combat this pride of life? Ask yourself who am I trying to protect? Ask yourself if this is true or is it my imaginations getting away with me? Ask yourself, who do I care more about? Most importantly, with Christ be glorified in this?

Philippians 2: 4-8 (AMP) Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility], who, although He existed in the form and unchanging essence of God [as One with Him, possessing the fullness of all the divine attributes—the entire nature of deity], did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped or asserted [as if He did not already possess it, or was afraid of losing it]; but emptied Himself [without renouncing or diminishing His deity, but only temporarily giving up the outward expression of divine equality and His rightful dignity] by assuming the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men [He became completely human but was without sin, being fully God and fully man]. After He was found in [terms of His] outward appearance as a man [for a divinely-appointed time], He humbled Himself [still further] by becoming obedient [to the Father] to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Can you think of anyone you can bless outside of your home? Hebrews 10: 24-25 (AMP) says, “and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.” What I love about our prayer team is that they have not only sought to pray for our community, but they also go out and seek ways to bless the community. In 2025 they passed out 750 care packages to teachers and workers within our city schools. Our church has about five faithful people (myself included) who come together and pray on Tuesdays. I can see their growth spiritually and it is encouraging.

Like I said, pride is easy for all of us to fall into. It takes dying daily to ourselves and becoming bondservant to Christ (total submission). Didn’t Christ pay the price for all of this? Yes, He did. The battle has already been won; we just have to surrender to the true King. We are all in different modes of our spiritual growth. I encourage you to mature and seek healing that only Christ can bring. If you notice a cycle of battles, know that it is not from God. However, we can grow stronger in Him through it. Let us continue to seek the best for others and be teachable. Repentance is not a bad word.

Lord, Your Word says You set Yourself against the proud and give favor to the humble (James 4:6). I know we fail sometimes. In fact, we are at times so full of pride that we do not bring You any glory. So I pray for humility for myself and my family. I submit this to You, because I know it is what I want in my life. Lord, You said that pride breeds quarrels (Proverbs 13:10). Make us humble people who receive advice and find wisdom. Take away any pride and give us humble hearts that are obedient to You. Seach our hearts and make a change within us. You said blessed are those who are meek and humble of heart (Matthew 5:5). That is who we desire to be. We desire for Your glory to be seen through us. In Jesus Name, Amen.