The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Proverbs 8:13
Pride will hinder your spiritual growth. Just as the mole keeps popping up in the game Whack-A-Mole, pride keeps popping up in our life. God hates pride; therefore, He has given us many warnings of its dangers in the Scriptures. Here are some things that accompany pride: arrogancy, evil speech, contention, shame, foolishness, destruction, a haughty spirit, a fall, being brought low, divisiveness, separation, loneliness, selfishness, boastfulness. Pride is the opposite of love and humility.

Since pride leads to destruction and downfall, what do we do about it?

1.     We must not immediately deny that we don’t need to deal with pride. We can even deceive ourselves. We are often blind to its existence. We must ask God to reveal it to us, then confess it as sin.

2.     Have an attitude of gratitude for God and others. Acknowledge that everything comes from God. Avoid comparing yourself with others, as comparisons lead to pride. Don’t keep score!

3.     Take on the role of a humble servant. Give praise to God and others.

4.     Seek God’s help and the accountability of others. Accept rebuke from the Word of God and others. Often, others see our pride before we do. God will actively transform your life from a proud, boastful, selfish person into a humble servant if you will participate with God in this endeavor. He changed the disciples’ lives; He can change your life.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Ron Cox – Director of HOPE Ministry