The Milly J

All of us have pride, no matter our age and status. Many of us hold our pride like it’s the last thing we have on earth and some equate pride as having self-respect but is pride a good thing? There are two kinds of pride, there is the “I’m so pride of you” type of pride, where it comes from a good place. Then there is the self-righteousness pride and according to scripture self-righteousness pride is not a good thing at all, in fact, that type of pride is listed as one of the sins God hates, Amos 6:8; Proverbs 8:13;  Proverbs 16:5. Many argue that a little bit of pride is good for you but beware “A little leaven leavened the whole lump,” Galatians 5:9 (NKJV). A little bit of this and a little bit of that can turn into an epidemic. The bible lists various situations that can occur when you are in self-righteousness pride. The bible states destruction comes, disgrace, a fall, it’s the way of evil, hopelessness, will be brought low, God will oppose it,  Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 16:18; Proverbs 29:23; James 4:6; Proverbs 26:12, it’s not sounding good my friends! Satan who was kicked out of Heaven was full of pride. He wanted to exalt his throne before God, can you believe the audacity? Well, his pride helped him get a one-way, irrevocable exit ticket right of Heaven, Isaiah 14:12-15. Do you want to have the same character trait as Satan? I don’t think so. I just ate a piece of humble pie just thinking about that! 

  

Why does God hate pride so much? 

First, I believe the most important reason he hates it, is that it removes him out the picture. Before anyone can be on earth, they had to be birth, a baby doesn’t come out of nowhere. As much as scientist are trying you can’t “make” a baby, you still need a man’s sperm and a woman’s egg. That is the order God created it and it still applies today. In fact, even if you “implanted” someone with sperm, the sperm has to come from a man. You can’t create a fake sperm to make a baby, it’s not going to work, although, I’m sure someone is in the lab with their lab coat on trying. What is the point here? Ultimately God created us and allowed us to be birth on this earth. So, if someone put you here, the least you can be is respectful, since we owe him our lives. However, when we get into self-righteousness pride we forget who put us here and think somehow we are made out of thin air and we are our own person and no one can tell us anything or we can do anything we want with our lives and to others.  

Second, Self-righteousness pride disconnects us from God, Isaiah 59:2. We can’t have a relationship with him with that kind of pride in us. Repeatedly, we are given stories in the bible how God wants a relationship and wants us to be holy. He doesn’t want lip service, righteousness appearances, with no true conversion, Isaiah 29:13; 2 Timothy 3:5-7; Matthew 15:8-9; Titus 1:16.  Many of us have self-righteousness pride and don’t even realize it. We think we know it all, and are constantly criticizing what others are doing and not looking at our own sins, Matthew 7:3-5. We refuse to admit when we are wrong Proverbs 28:13, or because of our “works” somehow we are righteousness in God’s eyes, Ephesians 2:8-9; John 6:22-29; Matthew 7:21-23 or some who are waving their education, status, titles, wealth to be superior to others, Luke 18:9-14; Mark 8:36; Philippians 2:3; Galatians 3:28; Proverbs 14:31; 1 John 3:17; Romans 12:16; Many don’t realize when you are in self-righteousness pride it turns away you from God instead of closer to him; Psalm 10:4. 

Third, Pride causes us to sin even more. How you may wonder? Well, when we think we are untouchable, and that we don’t have to answer to nobody, or we think we are “all that” and no can say anything to us, we think we can do anything. We can steal from others, cheat, lie, abuse drugs, alcohol, and sex, be disrespectful to our family members, friends, and co-workers, be a troublemaker, Mark 7:20-23; 1 John 3:4; Galatians 5:19-21; Hebrews 10:26; Proverbs  

13:10. You can spin out of control, thinking there will be no consequences. Disobedience will move in your house and sleep in your bed. Pride will fluff your pillows and sin will make you breakfast. If we are not careful, we think Pride is okay, and it becomes a character trait we can’t shake off. 

  

So how do we get rid of Pride? 

Repent-I’m amazed how repentance is not preached as much as having faith. Many struggle with faith because they haven’t repented, yet it’s the least topic to be spoken about. In any regards, we have to repent. We have to admit when we identify in fact we are in self-righteousness pride. Once we confess this sin, we must make a turn away from it and do better and be more humble, John 8:11. Repentance should be a change a heart not just your actions or your words. Remember wherever you treasure, so will your heart, Matthew 6:21.    

Ask for forgiveness-We must ask God for forgiveness for being in self-righteousness pride. I don’t know why people are afraid to ask for forgiveness, but God is a safe place. You can go to him and say as simple as this, “God I ask for forgiveness of my self-righteousness pride. I know that is not your will for my life that I should be stuck in any kind of sin. I come humbly before you to be your student as you teach me your word and will. Please forgive me.” God wants us to humble ourselves before him, 1 Peter 5:6. We have to come to go to God and admit when we are wrong and confess our sins. Some people put their entire lives on social media but won’t come before God as if he sees nothing. We have to learn to come before God and apologize. The most he’ll do is forgive you. 

Stop thinking God owes you– A lot of us think God owes us, but ponder on that thought, what exactly does God owe you? I’m waiting. I am just as guilty of that thought. Sometimes we think well God “I’m a good person” “I bother no one” “I try to do the best I can” “I follow your word” my favorite “I go to church” “I serve you God” then it comes- “I deserve to have that car, that house, that man, that girl, that job, that increase, and the list goes on. But as you read this, did you notice a pattern here? There’s a lot of “I’s” in there. Somehow, in our good nature, we want things to turn for our benefit and that’s when we think God owes us, but he doesn’t owe us anything. As much as we do on earth with the little time we have, we should be humble and thankful that he still allows us to remain here. So let’s eat another slice of that humble pie. God promises us a blessing in return he expects respect, and obedience but doesn’t owe us anything. 

Identify why or how you got into pride—What made you prideful, anyway? Was it you were the first one to graduate college with a degree and now you feel entitled? Was it an award you received? Is it fame? Maybe it’s the wealth you gain. Whatever it is you have to identify it so you can work to eliminate it from your life. Self-check yourself. Once you identify your sin, make the corrections, James 4:7-17. 

Address that spirit in you– People often like to rebuke people, but you can rebuke the spirit of pride in you. You don’t have to ask someone to pray to rebuke it. You can pray, “I rebuke the spirit of Pride that lives in me and I cast it out of me.” This is spiritual matters at work here, Proverbs 18:21. Yahushua had to rebuke the devil and demons out of people all the time, Mark 16:17; Matthew 4:1-11; Matthew 17:18; Matthew 8:28-34; Luke 4:31-41. Self-righteousness pride is not just a flawed character trait it’s a demonic spirit. Some of us trying to hold on to our pride, but how do you feel holding on to a demonic spirit? I don’t know about you but I’m getting hungry for another slice of that humble pie! 

Pray to God to humble you– This is my favorite part because people forget when they pray there is also a test. God is a master examiner, forget college exams, they won’t compare! When you pray- prayers asking for change, especially a change of character, you’ll be tested in that area all the time until you pass the test. Here’s a scenario, you pray “God please help me be more humble” then God sends a test (unexpected): You are an executive in a corporation and because of financial difficulties; they let you go after working there for 15 years. Now you face no income coming in, you still have a mortgage and your wife is a stay at home mom with four kids. Feeling the pressure yet? You’re still optimistic, so you tap into your retirement account to cover the bills, your wife still can’t work because all the kids are still small and need to be home, you still looking but you’re getting the runaround. Six months pass, no job in site, you cut all the bills you can (cable, eating out, movies, shopping) your retirement account is depleted now you really have to find a job quick. You pass by a clothing store and you see a “need help” sign, you inquire about the position, but it’s not a position you would ever apply for given your education and background but you apply, get the interview but the salary offer is well below minimum wage. Then the temptation comes because of your pride you want to say no, and think maybe you can wait it out, ask help from family, surely, with your qualification you will find something, but your kids have to be fed, you still got a roof over your head. See where I’m going with this? Sometimes the test comes in ways that shake us, wreck us, break us and put us in a position we never thought we would be in. You start to feel discouraged and can’t understand how your life went backward in such a short time. The great news is that God is about restoring. He never let you lose things and not be restored somehow, whether it is that you got your peace back because you realize life is not about a “position” “a title” “things”, or he gives you a recession proof business idea and you never have to worry about someone lays you off. God will walk you through your test but it will not be fun but you will get your prayer answered, it might not come in the way you like, but after this, I’m sure you will be humble. 

I wholeheartedly believe in being practical. We often find out when it comes to spiritual matters we are great listener but sometimes lack action. Nothing will work if you don’t act on what you will accomplish. A car won’t move unless you turn it on and drive. I added these practical steps just as an example if you need help to get started. 

Practical Steps 

Issue: Pride 

Goal: I don’t want to be Prideful 

Meditation Schedule: 

Morning: 5:00 am 

Evening: 7:00 pm 

Meditation List 

Remind myself: I’m not perfect. I’m not better than anyone, God has created everyone in his special way, and I will respect that. 

Remind myself: Everyone has their own destiny and their life doesn’t have to match mines. 

I will: Be respectful to others. I will speak and treat others how I want to be treated. 

I will: Make decisions that are not based on my pride. 

I will: Check myself when I’m I find myself being arrogant or when someone points it out. 

I will: Understand that there is a God and sin has consequences. 

  

Scripture List to Meditate On 

Self-righteousness Pride: 1 John 2:16; Proverbs 29:23; Psalm 10:4; Proverbs 8:13; Romans 12:16; Proverbs 8:37; Isaiah 5:21; Luke 16:15; Jeremiah 9:23-24; 

Being Humble: Philippians 2:3; Matthew 23:12; Proverbs 22:4; 1 Peter 5:6; Colossians 3:12: Ephesians 4:2; 2 Chronicles 7:14 

As you read these blog post be sure to look up the scriptures for the reference, doing so will help you in studying your bible and not just reading it. 

 ~Blessings from Milly J 
 

“Pride must die in you, or nothing of heaven can live in you.” ~Andrew Murray 

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