Six Ways Pride Keeps Us From God
By Angie Lewis
Pride is a dangerous emotion and can eventually lead us to
sinful behavior. There are several areas in our life where we
allow pride to take precedent over our life, and most of the
time we don’t even know it – this is how pride works in a
person. Pride is an excessive high opinion of one self and can
lead to much destruction in our dealings with others and in our
relationship with God.
1. Pride Keeps Us From Admitting Sin
Have you ever been confronted and rebuked about a sin that you
committed? Sometimes because of our pride it’s hard to admit we
sinned, but by admission we sometimes realize that we are sorry
for that sin. It takes our heart to break down in humbleness
before we can admit we sinned or were wrong in our actions. It’s
good when a Christian brother or sister confronts us about our
sin(s), and we should accept correction as a resource to our
growth in the Lord.
Godly sorrow bring repentance that leads to
salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what
earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what
indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what
readiness to see justice done.
II Corinthians 7:10-11
2. Pride Blinds Us To Our Faults
Pride keeps us from noticing our own faults. Perhaps we get into
an argument with our spouse and we think it is their entire
fault because we don’t have any faults. But everyone has faults
and weaknesses. How can we have good relationships if we think
were better than others or if we think we do everything right?
We like to show others their faults, or we like to talk behind
people’s backs and judge them, but that’s not our job.
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For
in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with
the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Matthew 7:1
3. Pride Is An Obstacle To Our Faith In Jesus
Pride keeps us believing in our house, money, status, career,
etc. If we allow pride to rule our heart, we will feel the need
to match a certain status quo in society – its called the “keep
up with the Joneses” attitude. Pride has a way of hardening our
hearts and then we reject Christ for our life. Pride is
definitely an obstacle to our faith in Christ.
People who want to get rich fall into
temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires
that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money
is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money,
have wondered from the faith and pierced themselves with many
griefs.
I Timothy 6:7-10
4. Pride Makes Us Self-Righteous
Self-righteousness is dangerous. It leads to sin. It causes us
to be hateful and bitter towards others and keeps us from
wanting to learn anything from God for our life. Don’t let pride
in your achievements cut you off from God. Your achievements are
because of God.
The Pharisee stood up and prayed about
himself” ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men –
robbers, evildoers, adulterers-or even like the tax collector. I
fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax
collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to
heaven, but beat his breasts and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a
sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went
home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will
be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Luke 18: 11-14
5. Pride Is An Ingredient In Every Argument
Why do we fuss, fight, quarrel, and always have to be right?
Pride does this to us. Pride keeps us protected where no one can
come in and tell us what to do or how to live or how to behave –
we already know all this stuff, right? The next time you are in
an argument with a loved one, smile and walk away and see how
good that feels. How about saying, I was wrong”, or “I need
advice”.
Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is
found in those who take advice.
Proverbs 13:10
6. Pride Keeps Us From Asking Others For Help Or Advice
Have you ever known someone who is so proud they won’t ask for
help or advice, even if they really need the help! Next time
you’re in need of help, advice, or just want to get a second
opinion on something, don’t let pride stand in the way of your
asking one of your fellow Christians for help. They will be glad
to offer any service they can if it will aid in your trust and
confidence in the Lord.
Then Phillip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading
Isaiah the prophet. ‘Do you understand what you are reading”?
Phillip asked. ‘How can I, he said, ‘unless someone explains it
to me'? So he invited Phillip to come up and sit with him.
Acts 8: 30-31
Then Phillip began with that very passage of Scripture and told
him the good news about Jesus.
Acts 8:35
