2 Timothy 2:15 | Proverbs 15:33 | Proverbs 16:18
Human beings since the fall carry in them a corrupted nature which is known as Pride. Pride is a worldly virtue which derives its meaning from subtle wickedness, worldliness, arrogance, extreme selfishness with an intention to be all in all – Genesis 3:1-5 | Isaiah 14:12-15 | Ezekiel 28:12-19. In our world today, you hear statements such as – ‘I am proud of you’ or ‘I am proud of my achievements’ or ‘Take pride in your work’. Factually, these statements seem to be correct, but it is far from the ‘truth’. These types of statements are not in the Bible because pride is about the natural wickedness in man, and it has its root in the adversary (satan) and has earned it a billing as a deadly sin. Hence the Bible says “….God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” – James 4:6 | 1 Peter 5:5-6.
John 8:31-32 – for the believer, it is about knowing the truth. And if we are to look at Biblical statements comparable to the worldly statements identified above, we would find that ‘proud or pride’ was never used.
Let us read the following verse – Genesis 4:4 | Genesis 8:21 | Matthew 3:17 | Isaiah 42:1 | Psalm 37:4 | 2 Timothy 2:15 – rather we read about words like respected, soothing or pleased, delight or diligent and nothing to do with proud or pride. Please do not say this is only semantics for every word has its root from the original intention. Even God magnified His word above His name, this confirms words are very powerful – Psalm 138:2. We must be careful in our word selection and proclamations – for the power of death and life is in the power of the tongue – Proverbs 18:21. Let us consider some of the antidotes for pride.
- Knowledge of the Truth – John 1:14, 17 | John 8:31-32 | Ephesians 1:17 | Philippians 3:10 | 2 Timothy 2:15
- Prayer – Mark 1:35 | Luke 5:16 | Luke 6:12 | Luke 24:49
- Communion with the Holy Spirit – Romans 8:14-16 | Acts 1:8 | 1 Corinthians 12:3 | Galatians 5:18
Believers must be careful on their use of words and make sure that we align our speeches and confessions with the Will of God – Proverbs 23:7 | Revelation 12:11.
Discussion
- Let us recommend ways to strengthen ourselves in study of the word, prayer and obedience to God’s Spirit.
- The adversary’s strategy is to attack the prayer life of believers, why do you think this is so?
- Pride is a worldly concept, and its root meaning is derived from the adversary. The Bible says resist the devil and he shall flee away. Let us discuss ways we can resist the adversary.
Prayer.
