Overcoming Pride

Romans 12:3 NIV
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of
yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with
sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to
each of you.
Four Characteristics of Pride:

1. Pride is thinking more highly of yourself than you ought.
2. Pride is an inwardly directed emotion that carries both a positive
   and negative meaning.
   Proverbs 11:2 NIV
   When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes
   wisdom.
   Proverbs 13:10 NIV
   Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who
   take advice.
   Proverbs 16:5 NIV
   The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not
   go unpunished.
   Proverbs 16:18 NIV
   Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
3. Pride is a sin.
   Proverbs 26:12 NIV
   Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for
   a fool than for them.
4. God opposes the proud.
   1 Peter 5:5 NIV
   In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your
   elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another,
   because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
   Numbers 12:3 NIV
   (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else
   on the face of the earth.)
   Numbers 20:8-12 NIV
   “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly
   together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its
   water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they
   and their livestock can drink.” So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s
   presence, just as he commanded him. He and Aaron gathered the
   assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them,
   “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” Then
   Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water
   gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. But the
   Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me
   enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not
   bring this community into the land I give them.”
   Speak what God is saying.
   Partial obedience is still disobedience.
   Don’t exchange eternal blessing for temporary gratification.
   Pride shows lack of trust in God.
   Four Thoughts That Point Toward Pride:
   • With pride comes inflation.
   • With pride comes entitlement.
   • With pride comes assumption.
   • Pride can mask itself in false humility.

Three Ways to Overcome Pride:

1. Serve.
   Matthew 23:11 NIV
   “The greatest among you will be your servant.”
2. Be humble.
   Being selfless isn’t thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself
   less.
3. Give.
   1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV
   Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may
   lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares
   for you.
   Trusting in God is at the heart of humility