Spiritual pride is a dangerous and destructive sin that can lead to devastating consequences. The Bible warns us against it, mentioning it several times in the New Testament. In James 4:6, we are told “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” We see this clearly illustrated in the story of Nebuchadnezzar’s prideful arrogance in Daniel 4. In his pride, Nebuchadnezzar thought he was greater than God and refused to acknowledge him as the true ruler of the universe. The Lord responded with a punishment that humbled Nebuchadnezzar and reminded him of His authority and sovereignty.
In Matthew 23:12, Jesus warns us against spiritual pride in no uncertain terms, saying “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” This serves as a reminder to us of the consequences of allowing pride to take over our spiritual lives. If we are not careful, our pride can cause us to lose sight of our purpose and mission in life, as well as the importance of humility and obedience to God.
Our pride can also lead us to mistreat others and become selfish or even abusive in our relationships. When we are prideful, we tend to view ourselves as being superior to those around us, leading us to behave arrogantly toward them and treat them with a lack of respect. In Proverbs 16:18, we are warned “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
It is important for us to remember the dangers of spiritual pride and to guard our hearts against it. We must continually strive to seek humility and rely on God’s grace and forgiveness in order to stay on the right path. With His help, we can remain humble and obedient and follow Him without allowing pride to lead us astray.
In Philippians 2:3-4 we are reminded that “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” This is a powerful reminder of how important it is to stay humble and remember that God’s glory should be our ultimate goal. It is only through humility and obedience that we can truly be blessed in our spiritual journey.
So, let us also remember the warning of Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Seek humility and obedience to God in all that we do, so that He may be glorified in our lives. By doing this, we will experience his blessings and stay on the path of righteousness.
God give us the strength and wisdom to do so. Amen.
Live Fearless 