How does pride hinder our relationship with God and others? Setting the Scene Mark 9:34: “But they kept silent, for on the way they had been arguing about who was the greatest.” What Pride Looks Like • Self-promotion—eager to be “the greatest” • Comparison—measuring ourselves against others • Concealment—silence when confronted, showing pride’s fear of exposure Pride Puts Distance Between Us and God • Isaiah 57:15—God dwells with “the contrite and humble in spirit” • James 4:6—“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” • Psalm 10:4—Pride leaves “no room for God.” Effects: hardened heart, prayerlessness, resistance to Scripture’s correction Pride Fractures Relationships with Others • Philippians 2:3—commands humility over “selfish ambition” • Proverbs 13:10—“Where there is strife, there is pride.” • 3 John 9—Diotrephes, who “loves to be first,” rejects fellow believers Symptoms: competition, suspicion, irreconcilable conflicts Jesus’ Cure: The Way Down Is Up Mark 9:35: “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” • John 13:14—Jesus washes feet, exemplifying servanthood • Matthew 23:12—humbling oneself leads to true exaltation Cultivating Humility Daily 1. Yield plans and reputation to the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6). 2. Serve in unnoticed tasks (Galatians 5:13). 3. Confess pride promptly (1 John 1:9). 4. Remember every gift is from God (1 Corinthians 4:7; James 1:17). 5. Speak to honor Christ and uplift others (Ephesians 4:29). A Closing Picture When pride bows, grace flows—drawing us closer to God and knitting our lives together in humble, Christ-like love. |
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