PRIDE
Pride is a heart-attitude sin that overflows into a person’s motivation, decision-making, and activities. Pride is at the root of nearly every problem we struggle with in counseling!
The heart of pride is focused on “self.” Prideful people believe they deserve better than what life has brought them. They become sorrowful, resentful, and even jealous of other people and their successes. Pride breeds self-pity, which is a major component in depression. Typically, people who struggle with pride will live life based on how they feel and expect everyone else to accommodate them and adapt to their moods.
Two key characteristics of pride are independence and rebellion. It should not be too difficult for us to understand why this is so. The truth is we all want our own way about things, and we usually will do almost anything to have it our way. The sinful nature leads us to desire independence, and we rebel at the thought of being under anyone’s control or authority.
In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for Hashem. Psalm 10:4 (TLV)
In our hearts, we say as Pharaoh did, “Who is the Lord that I should obey Him?” Exodus 5:2 (TLV)
Hashem (*God) Hates Pride
All who fear the LORD will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech. Proverbs 8:13 (TLV)
The heart of pride brings devastating consequences that Hashem ordains: a hardened heart and consequences of this sin.
In your life, pride will cause your heart to harden toward God. Consequently, God will not allow you to prosper. He will bring you dishonor, which is the last thing a prideful person wants.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 (TLV)
Pride brings opposition from God. He will not share His glory with anyone or anything.
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5 (TLV)
The prideful person is self-deceived. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” Galatians 6:3 (TLV)
Often prideful people are mistakenly diagnosed with “low self-esteem” because their actions and attitudes appear to be self-depreciating. Low self-esteem is a person’s belief regarding the degree to which he is worthy of praise.
The prideful person already thinks very highly of himself or herself! People infected by pride typically think so much of themselves that they believe the world should revolve around them.
The only thing important to prideful people is getting their needs filled. It may be an emotional need, a desire for attention, or a resistance to conform to social norms in order to be seen as an individual. Prideful people struggle with bitterness, revenge, conceit, self-pity, a competitive nature, gossip, slander, and vanity. They display a desire to be noticed, which is disguised as shyness. They typically have a lust for attention, approval, and praise. Those who attempt to build them up psychologically only assist them in further self-indulgence.
How to GET RID OF the Sin of Pride.
Pride is a heart-attitude sin that overflows into a person’s motivation, decision-making, and activities. Pride is at the root of nearly every problem we struggle with in counseling!
What Cures the Prideful Heart?
First, begin by confessing, or admitting, to Hashem (God) that you struggle with the sin of pride. Confession is agreeing with Hashem. You might pray a simple prayer similar to this one:
AvinuMalkeinu(Abba) Father,
I confess to you that I struggle with the sin of pride in my heart and my life. This pride leads me to act out selfish desires and is hurtful to other people. I ask for the help of the (RuachHakodesh) Holy Spirit to change my heart so that I become selfless and learn to serve others as I consider them before myself. Thank You for the forgiveness that is mine through the Lord YeshuaHaMashiach (Jesus The Messiah), and I pray these things for Your glory. In Yeshua (Jesus) Name. Amen.
The next step is to begin to practice humility, a denial of self. Humility is considering others better than yourself and requires an examination through the Word of Hashem of the actions and attitudes of daily life.
Then He, Yeshua (Jesus) said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow Me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for Me, you will find true life. And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose or forfeit your own soul in the process?” Luke 9:23–25 (TLV)
Meek Doesn’t Mean Weak.
Yeshua(Jesus) displayed the ultimate in humility when He condescended to come to earth as a human being. He denied Himself and deprived Himself of heaven and all its glory for 33 years for you and me. Because our goal is to become like Yeshua in character and attitude, we are to practice how Yeshua lived His life. Yeshua was described as “meek and lowly.” Meekness is an internal quality that comes with humility. As a heart attitude, it is the opposite of pride. The one who is meek in heart is not concerned about self and readily puts the interest of others before his or her interests.
Being meek does not mean weak; in fact, it means just the opposite. It takes great strength to be humble before Hashem and others. This really goes against the grain of the sinful nature. It is possible, however, for even the most prideful person to become humble. Humility is a fruit of the Spirit, and Hashem joyfully responds to those who desire it.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith Hashem (God) has given you. Romans 12:3 (TLV)
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Romans 12:16, (TLV)
Pride begins to change to humility when we understand how despicable we actually are without YeshuaHaMashiach (the Messiah). Humility comes when we internalize the truth that nothing in the life of a Messianic Jewish Believer is to be about us. It is all about YeshuaHaMashiach and Him only. We cannot possibly dwell on “what I want” or “what I think is better or right” and be able to serve others or ask what would bring Hashem glory. Heart change begins to take place when we practice the principles in the verse below:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3–4 (TLV)
Serving Suggestions.
Here are some suggestions to begin to serve others:
Go out of your way to help another person.
Give up something you want to do for the sake of another’s pleasure.
Consider the opinion of a person you think is “beneath you” and follow his or her suggestion.
After practicing these suggestions, you will find joy returning to your life. Your world will open up to others as your heart opens up. As you continue to place others above yourself, your desire to serve them will grow, and life will become full of joy.
Article by Gavriela Frye, Secretary of the Messianic Jewish Alliance of Italy.
