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I don’t know why it took me so long to Bible-mark this topic. I sure need it. When I open the door of my heart just a crack, pride pushes its way in and takes up residence. Consider some effects of this sneaky sin:
-Pride keeps me from forgiving others.
-Pride causes my service to be motivated by recognition instead of love.
-Pride seeks to glorify self instead of God.
-Pride keeps me from admitting when I’m wrong or saying ‘I’m sorry.’
-Pride keeps me from submitting to my husband.
-Pride causes me to pick out the faults in others.
-Pride prevents me from resolving issues with others.
-Pride makes me want things my way.
-Pride keeps me from learning.
-Pride makes me want to be the best and be liked the most.
-Pride seeks validation from the praise of others.
-Pride makes me want to present my life as perfect and all together.
-Pride keeps me from trying anything I think I won’t excel at.
-Pride prevents me from having a close relationship with God.
As you might imagine, there are plenty of Scriptures that address this subject. When I see that I’ve let pride impact my life, I can spend a few moments in quiet meditation on some convicting verses. Many of the passages will include some insight into humility as well. In the front of your Bible, write:
Pride- 1 Sam. 2:3
Talk no more so very proudly; let no arrogance come from your mouth, for the Lord is the God of knowledge; and by Him actions are weighed.
Underline “Talk no more so very proudly; let no arrogance come from your mouth.” Circle the words “talk” and “mouth.” Draw a square around the words “proudly” and “arrogance.” It’s notable that pride often shows itself in our speech! At the end of the verse, write Psa. 138:6.
Though the Lord is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar.
Circle “the proud” and underline “He knows from afar.” When you start feeling like God is distant, it’s time to do a heart check. At the end of the verse, write Prov. 11:2.
When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.
Circle “pride” and “humble” and underline “shame” and “wisdom.” What a contrast! At the end of the verse, write 21:4.
A haughty look, a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked are sin.
Circle “haughty look” and “proud heart” and underline “are sin.” At the end of the verse, write 28:25.
He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.
Circle “proud heart” and underline “stirs up strife.” Circle “trusts in the Lord” and underline “will be prospered.” Could it be that a proud heart keeps us from trusting in the Lord? At the end of the verse, write Obadiah 1:3.
The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; you who say in your heart,
“Who will bring me down to the ground?” Circle “pride of your heart” and underline “has deceived you.” Edom’s problem was pride. They trusted in their advantages instead of God. Underline “who will bring me down to the ground?” Look down to the end of verse four and underline “I will bring you down, says the Lord.” Draw a line connecting the two phrases. At the end of verse three, write Matt. 23:11,12.
But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant, and whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Circle “exalts himself” and “humbles himself.” Underline “will be humbled” and “will be exalted.” In the margin next to “exalts,” write “lifts high.” When we exalt ourselves, we’re trying to place ourselves above others. At the end of the verse, write Luke 11:43.
Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.
Circle “you love” and underline “best seats” and “greetings.” Jesus’s harsh rebuke of the religious leaders was for their pride. They soaked in the attention and wanted to be acknowledged and treated special. They began to feel like they deserved it, after all. At the end of the verse, write Rom. 12:3.
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
Underline “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think.” At the end of the verse, write 2 Cor. 10:17,18.
But “he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
Circle “glories” and underline “glory in the Lord.” Draw a squiggly line under the rest of the verse. At the end of the verse, write Phil. 2:3.
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Draw a square around “nothing.” Circle “selfish ambition” and “conceit.” Underline “in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” At the end of the verse, write James 4:6.
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Circle “proud” and “humble.” Underline “God resists” and “gives grace.” Another sharp contrast! At the end of the verse, write 1 Pet. 5:5,6.
Likewise, you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.
Draw a square around “all of you.” Circle “be submissive to one another” and “be clothed with humility.” Underline all of verse six. In the margin, write “formula for church unity.”
*To enhance your personal Bible study or turn this into a family devotional, include study and discussion of individuals who paid the cost (or almost did) for their pride or were rebuked for their pride:
King Nebuchadnezzar- Dan. 4:28-37- Circle “I” and the two “my’s” in v. 30. ln the margin write “One ‘I’ and two ‘my’s’ do not make a happy guy” (Scott Balbin). In v. 37, underline the last sentence.
Naaman- 2 Kings 5:9-14
Saul- 1 Sam. 15:17ff
Haman- Esther 6 & 7
The Praying Pharisee- Luke 18:9-14
The Older Brother- Luke 15:25-30
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