"PRIDE, The Ultimate Path to Self Destruction"

ME:

The journey through 1998-2000. My prideful spirit and how God broke me but loved me into humility.

WE:

How do you define pride? (placing SELF desires before God’s desires)

How do you define humility? (Placing others before self)

Miriam Webster - Pride: the quality or state of being proud. such as..

inordinate self esteem: conceit

a reasonable or justifiable self respect

delight or elation arising from some act, possession or relationship. parental pride

So pride can take on more than one meaning and may not always be bad, in fact, can be positive. the pride we are warned of in scripture is like letter a, an inordinate self esteem or conceit.

Maybe you can relate? This kind of pride is an equal opportunity kind of sin not concerned with gender or age. It can rear it’s ugly head anytime and anywhere in any life!

So what? We must be on guard against this deadly killer. if allowed to rule in our spirit, pride will destroy a christian’s good testimony faster than they know what happened. Many don’t understand that pride is the “root” cause of any sin!

Many don’t understand that pride is the “root” cause of any sin!

“the complete anti-God state of mind” C.S. Lewis “Mere Christianity”

“pride is the ultimate path to self-destruction” and further...”if we want to be the men God has called us to be, then we need to do away with pride and stop playing the blame game. Only then will we truly be winners” Pastor Johnny Hunt - “Unspoken”

GOD:

How do you define humility? (Placing others before self)

Miriam Webster - Pride: the quality or state of being proud. such as..

inordinate self esteem: conceit

a reasonable or justifiable self respect

delight or elation arising from some act, possession or relationship. parental pride

So pride can take on more than one meaning and may not always be bad, in fact, can be positive. the pride we are warned of in scripture is like letter a, an inordinate self esteem or conceit.

b. a reasonable or justifiable self respect

GOD:

Who was the first person to experience the sin of pride? (Satan)

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” (, KJV 1900)

Pride and Sin both have the letter “I” in the middle! When life becomes all about ME I am on the same track as Lucifer.

Let’s discuss some key bible passages dealing with the sin of pride.

“Surely he scorneth the scorners: But he giveth grace unto the lowly.” (, KJV 1900)

What does this verse say to you? (pride can cause a judgmental attitude, especially of those who may seem poor and hopeless)

“Pride goeth before destruction, And an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.” (, KJV 1900)

What does this say to you? We should spend more time working our spirit of humility than we do on our pay checks!

“Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Neither let the mighty man glory in his might, Let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, That he understandeth and knoweth me, That I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: For in these things I delight, saith the Lord.” (, KJV 1900)

What does this say to you? (a perfect example of the 2 kinds of pride, one that says hey, look at me!, I have done great things! and the other which says hey, look at how God has done great things and blessed me! all glory to Him! I could never do this on my own!) It’s not wrong to have riches but it’s very wrong to think you deserve them more than someone else. God loves each person as much as the other no matter their financial or mental condition! Praise Him!!!

“And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (, KJV 1900)

c. delight or elation arising from some act, possession or relationship. parental pride

Who did these people have their trust in? (themselves)

“When pride cometh, then cometh shame: But with the lowly is wisdom.” (, KJV 1900)

“Only by pride cometh contention: But with the well advised is wisdom.” (, KJV 1900)

What did the pharisee fail to realize about himself? (that he was a sinner too!)

What was the result of the the publican’s humility? God justified and exalted him. This is important because it teaches us how God views success and that He will see to it that those who admit they are no more than humble sinners will be raised up by Him. We don’t even have to try to be exalted if were humble!

When you consider your own life, which character best describes you? That of the pharisee or that of the publican? (God, no matter my condition, let me live with the attitude of the publican. I desire to be exalted by you not myself. Amen)

YOU:

Have you ever met someone who has absolutely nothing good to say about anyone & yet somehow they get everything right? Discuss

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (, KJV 1900)

Who’s choice is it to live in pride or humility? This verse teaches that it is up to ME to decide whether I will be humble or not. God gives us choice.

Are you noticing any signs of pride in your life? Maybe all is well, the home is nice, the job is good, you’re serving God, witnessing to others & working in the church; BEWARE this is when satan attacks!

“Pride goeth before destruction, And an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.” (, KJV 1900)

READ & HEED this verse! Make the tough choices! If you have friends that are wrapped up in the pride of life, never caring to give God the credit and influencing you in that direction; you would be better off cutting ties with them and making new friendships with people who put God first and others ahead of themselves.

WE:

How would putting others before yourself change the way you interact with your family, friends or co-workers?

Six things you can do to experience God’s exaltation - HUMBLE acrostic

Heed God’s authority over you.

Understand others have authority over you too.

Make forgiveness a priority because God has forgiven you.

Bless those you’ve wronged with an apology you really mean.

Listen twice as much as you speak.

Extend grace by letting others experience blessing they do not deserve.

Extend grace by letting others experience blessing they do not deserve.

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