Have you ever considered the dangers of pride? With pride, it is easy to be in danger and not realize it. Life is full of traps that we can fall into, and pride is one satan uses repeatedly to appeal to our sinful nature.
Pride is defined as: a high or inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc. [1] We can be deceived by our own pride and many times it takes others bringing it to our attention. Sometimes God Himself brings it to our attention through the work of the Holy Spirit.
A Pharisee was Filled with Pride
A certain immoral woman had come to Jesus while He was at the house of a Pharisee. She humbled herself before Jesus and wept at His feet. As she put expensive perfume on the feet of Jesus the religious leader was filled with pride instead of compassion. Luke 7:39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!” [2] The Pharisee’s pride blinded him so he could not feel any empathy toward this desperate woman.
God Opposes the Proud
Pride is a sin because it gives a self-centered perspective on life. God desires us to have a God-centered perspective. In our story the Pharisee has fallen into the pride trap. We often find ourselves extremely proud of what we have accomplished and who we are. In turn, we don’t give thanks to the Lord, our true source of strength and skills. The Lord is the one who gave us these abilities and opportunities for the purpose of growing His Kingdom.
God Gives Grace to the Humble
James 4:6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.[3]
Are you struggling with pride? Ask the Lord Jesus to help you. As we pray and meditate on God’s word, He will transform our life and lead us away from pride into humility. To hear more on the dangers of pride, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/seeking-the-lord-changes-my-life-sinful-woman
[1] https://www.dictionary.com/browse/pride
[2,3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.