Pride: Public Enemy #1

“Pride will always be the longest distance between two people.”

During the Battle of the Wilderness in the Civil War, Union general John Sedgwick was inspecting his troops. At one point he came to a parapet, over which he gazed out in the direction of the enemy. His officers suggested that this was unwise and perhaps he ought to duck while passing the parapet. “Nonsense,” snapped the general. “They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist….” A moment later Sedgwick fell to the ground, fatally wounded.

  Pride is a killer. One of the first victims of pride is relationships. There are many reasons for the great political division in our country today. One of the core issues is pride. How often does a politician admit that they were wrong, or that they don’t know the solution? Instead, each clings to the arrogant belief that they have all of the answers and the other side is all wrong. What is lost is the true need of what’s best for our country.

  Pride is the great divider. Pride and Satan are nearly synonymous. Satan loves pride. It’s truly a devilish evil. Yet, most of us don’t consider pride a heinous sin, but it is. It’s at the top of the list of evils that God hates (Prov. 6:16-17). There are few things that the Bible talks about God hating, but God’s hate for pride is repeated several times in Scripture.

  God not only hates pride, but actively opposes it. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). God hates pride because the proud person tries to displace God. Wayne Mack insightfully writes: “Pride consists in attributing to ourselves the honor, privileges, prerogatives, rights and power that are due to God alone…Pride, at its core, is idolatry of self. A proud person has put himself or herself in God’s place.” Pride separates us from God and causes us to foolishly try to take His place. God loves unity and community. Pride is a catalyst for division.

  Pride is the root of division in the home. Satan separated Adam and Eve from each other with the “pride of life” (1 John 2:16) that they could “be like God” (Gen. 3:5). Why do couples fight? One thinks that he/she is right. Or, they want their way. They may be angry that they feel slighted. Not only does pride cause arguments, it stokes the fire of division.

  The marital division can’t be resolved until one party confesses wrong-doing. I’m embarrassed to admit that over the years, my wife, Jane, has frequently been more Christlike than I’ve been. Even when she was not at fault, Jane would initiate confession and restoration by first taking responsibility. What caused me to cling to anger and offense? Pride.  

  Pride is the root of division in the church. You’ll rarely find division in a church over a biblical issue. More frequently, it’s over power or someone has an agenda. Sometimes they’ll cloak pride with a veneer of “spirituality,” much like the Pharisees. Pull back the façade and underneath is pride. For example, there was great division in the Corinthian church. The Apostle Paul addresses it in the first three chapters of 1 Corinthians. What was the core sin? Pride. When there’s more heat than light among God’s people, you can almost be certain that the root issue is pride.

  What’s the cure? We must cultivate humility. I’m not sure when it happened, but humility is rarely valued in the Church today. Yet, if anyone should be characterized by humility, it should be a Christian.

  First, we know from Scripture that there is nothing that we have (talent, finances, position, etc.) that we didn’t receive. Then, you can’t accept the gospel until you admit the evil of your own heart, your inability to merit any favor with God and total dependence on God’s mercy and grace for salvation. Apart from Christ’s cross, we’re hopelessly lost and doomed.

  Routinely confess your sin to God.  Too few have a regular practice of rigorous honest self-examination. In light of God’s Word with the Spirit acting as a surgeon, we must investigate the condition of our own heart. Coupled with confession, (1 Jn 1:9), it’s an essential practice of humility.

  Acknowledge your sin to others (James 5:16). When we’ve wronged others, we must honestly confess it to them and take personal responsibility. Humility before God is incomplete unless there is also humility before others. A true test of our willingness to humble ourselves is a willingness to share with others the weaknesses that we confess to God.

  Be gracious and patient when you’re mistreated (1 Peter 3:8-17). When something is unjust we want to react and rectify it. Patiently responding to the unjust accusations and actions of others demonstrates our strength of godly character and provides an opportunity to put on humility.

  Actively submit to authority, the good and the bad (1 Peter 2:18). Our culture spurns submission and idolizes individualism. We must purposefully and actively work on submitting to those that God has placed as authorities in our lives. Doing so is a healthy way to humble yourself.

  Receive correction and feedback from others graciously (Prov. 2:1). Look for the kernels of truth in what people offer you, even if it comes from a dubious source. Learn to pray, “Lord, what are you seeking to teach me through this?”

  Purposely associate with those of lower state than you (Luke 7:36-39). Our culture is very status conscious. We seek to socialize upward or at least laterally. Resist the temptation of being partial to those with status or wealth. Jesus was verbally chastised by the Pharisees for socializing with the poor, those they considered vile sinners and those of lowly state. Jesus’ social circle went from high to low. Does ours?

  Serve others (2 Cor. 4:5). Serving others reduces our focus on ourselves and builds the Kingdom of God. When serving another costs us nothing, we should question whether it’s truly servanthood.

  Be quick to forgive (Matt. 18: 21-35). Forgiveness is one of the greatest acts of humility we can do. It acknowledges a wrong has been done to us and releases any right of repayment for the wrong. It’s the denial of self.

  Habitually speak well of others (Eph. 4:31-32). Saying demeaning things about others puts them down, but elevates us. Sincerely speaking well of others encourages and builds them up. Start each day with: Who can I encourage and build up today?

  If you love God, you love what He loves. But God’s enemy, Satan, loves pride. By Christ’s cross, commit to a lifestyle of daily dying to self and living through Him (Gal. 2:20). That’s the foundation for true humility. 

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