Pride VS Humility
Humility and self-denial are always admired
but seldom practiced.
We know what it should look like on others.
By: Pastor George Lehman
We need to take note and practice those qualities in our lives.
The Bible makes it very clear: James 4:10 – Humble yourselves.
Anger gets people into trouble, but PRIDE keeps them there!
The true test of a worthy life is not found in possessions, power, position, or prestige.
It is discovered in goodness, humility, service, and character, these are the qualities that reflect a godly life.
Colossians 3:1r George Lehman2 (NIV) – Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Stay humble or stumble. If you’re filled with pride, you’ll slide.
The bible says in the last days:
2 Timothy 3:2 (LB) – For people will love only themselves and their money; they will be proud and boastful, sneering at God…
What is pride?
(The English word as two meanings)
A spirit of conceit* (a negative quality).
A spirit of pleasing, satisfaction or proper self-worth (a positive quality).
*conceit = excessive pride in oneself; have a high opinion of one’s qualities, superiority believing you are better, smarter or more important than other people.
Pride attitude:
Unteachable
Unwilling to submit (submission is actually our test of humility).
I’ve arrived – I have it all together
1 Corinthians 13:4 – “Love is not proud”
The Greek word for pride is nearly always used in the negative sense, meaning arrogant, proud, appearing above others.
What is humility?
(The English word as two meanings)
A spirit of respectfulness, considerate and meekness, submissive (a positive quality).
A spirit of insignificance, inferiority, floor mat (a negative quality).
The Bible in the New Testament nearly always uses humility in the positive sense.
Matthew 18:4(NIV) – Therefore, anyone who humbles himself as this little child, is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
The world’s perception of pride:
The spiritual heart of humility:
Never admit a weakness.
Delight in your weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:10 (Amp) – So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses, for when I am weak (in human strength) then am I truly strong (able, powerful in divine strength).
The world’s perception of pride:
The spiritual heart of humility:
Hold onto your rights.
Give up your personal rights.
Philippians 2:5-8 (Amp) – Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!
Humility is Royalty without a crown; Jesus our greatest example.
The world’s perception of pride:
The spiritual heart of humility:
Seek to clear yourself of blame at all costs.
Wait on God to lift you up.
1 Peter 5:6 (LB) – If you will humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, in His good time, He will lift you up.
Humility is the only true Wisdom by which we prepare our minds for all the possible changes of life.
Pride will kill any progress.
The world’s perception of pride:
The spiritual heart of humility:
Seek recognition and praise for yourself.
Let praise only come from others.
Proverbs 27:2 (LB) – Don’t praise yourself; let others do it.
The world’s perception of pride:
The spiritual heart of humility:
Continually compare yourself with others.
Refuses useless comparisons.
2 Corinthians 10:12 (Ampl) – Not that we [have the audacity to] venture to class or [even to] compare ourselves with some who exalt and furnish testimonials for themselves! However, when they measure themselves with themselves and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding and behave unwisely.
The world’s perception of pride:
The spiritual heart of humility:
Perceives humility as weakness.
Perceives humility as a strength.
Psalm 37:11 (NIV) – But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace. (Humility is the actual strength)
If you’re living with pride and not dealing with it, you’ll not walk in a life that’s worthy, God pleasing and effective to a lost, dying world.
James 4:6 (NIV) – He gives us more grace. That is why scripture says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble”.
Proverbs 8:13 – I hate pride and arrogance.
Proverbs 16:5 (NLT) – The Lord despises pride.
Have you ever wondered why people can be so on fire for Jesus and committed at a time and then drift into a lukewarm unproductive ineffective lifestyle?
Perhaps the answer is found in:
Proverbs 15:25 (NASB) – The Lord will tear down the house of the proud.
Proverbs 16:18 – Pride goes before destruction and a haughty* spirit before a fall.
*haughty = arrogant (Eng) / hoogmoedig(Afr)
There are some people who would rather be the head of nothing, than the tail of something.
Proverbs 11:2 – When Pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.
The proud hypocrite deceives himself into ignoring realities in the conduct of his life that the meek and humble person quickly recognizes and takes into account. The proud person’s vanity pushes him into conduct that will end in shame. The humble person’s attitude stands in vivid contrast, for his wisdom prevents him from pursuing the same conduct. This produces even more wisdom when good fruit is produced because it reinforces his right decision.
They say pride hides a man’s faults to himself and magnifies them to everyone else.
2 Chronicles 12:7 (NIV) – When the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, this word of the Lord came to Shemaiah: “Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak.”
Here’s a test of true humility. Just answer YES or NO.
Do you feel joy when others succeed and are honored?
Do you honestly and openly admit sin?
Do you seek truth from others regarding your weaknesses?
Do you accept criticism graciously?
Do you pursue godliness in all that you do?
Do you turn all worry, anxiety and concern over to the Lord?
Have you felt you could answer YES to most these questions? If most of your answers are yes, take a look at yourself, you may have failed the “Test of Humility”.
Swallow your Pride regularly, It’s non-fattening!
Pride or humility is a CHOICE that we make. Both will have consequences in your life.
James 4:10 – Humble yourselves…
It can and will only be through a humble life, that Jesus will be glorified.
