Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 1Pt 5:5
Introduction
Don’t you feel like reading no further because you think this message is not for you? That is natural as rarely would you see a man that would accept that he is proud! It is easier to confess fornication, stealing and other grievous sins than to accept we are proud. Of course, what you do with this article is a clear reflection of your heart! Are you planning to just quickly glance through and treat as one of those write-ups? That may not be wise enough as God knows why He brought this your way. Please read to the end and you’ll be amazed at the effect it would have on you!
All men made jest of Noah but God stood by him when he was building the ark. Do you agree that one with God is the majority? Whatever we can resist is what we have power over. Who is bigger than God? How limited we are if resisted by God! A man under divine resistance is doomed forever no matter the accolade and encomiums that men may shower on him.
This write up is for people that want divine support rather resistance. If you don’t mind God resisting you, there is no point reading further, though this is not in your best interest. I also advise that you don’t begin to identify in your heart the persons you think need this. If you think you need no message on pride, it means you think you are humble and even if this makes you feel good, you are advised to read further.
What is pride?
I prefer you gain understanding of what it means to be proud directly from the word of God since it is more effectual in many folds in assisting you deal with the issue of pride in your life.
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Rom 12: 3
This means that the proud man thinks of himself more than he should. He elevates himself beyond measure. He compares himself with others and assumes he is better. He assumes a position that is nobler than his real level. He is a man that is living in self-deceit!
The Amplified Bible rendition of 1 Pet 5:5-6 gives a clearer picture.
Likewise, you who are younger and of lesser rank, be subject to the elders (the ministers and spiritual guides of the church) — [giving them due respect and yielding to their counsel]. Clothe (apron) yourselves, all of you, with humility [as the garb of a servant, so that its covering cannot possibly be stripped from you, with freedom from pride and arrogance] toward one another. For God sets Himself against the proud (the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful) — [and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them], but gives grace (favour, blessing) to the humble. 6 Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you. 1 Peter 5:5-6
Pride is when we find it difficult to play the role of a servant. The proud wants to be respected rather than respect others. They would rather give advice than be advised. They wear the garment of pomposity such that no matter how much they try to conceal their arrogance, it can always be smelled several metres away. Their voices reflect it, even if you look carefully, when they wear something simple, you will notice it. Pride is the smoke that no basket can cover. It is a net that cannot hold water. Proud people boast and see others as inferior to them. They esteem themselves higher and better than others.
When we find it difficult to queue and it is tough to respect our subordinates and people placed below us, what do we exhibit? If many of us have the power to raise the dead, unless the Lord deals with the pride in our hearts, we could use that anointing to kill anyone that dares to challenge our authority or disobey our instructions; so as to “to teach others lessons”.
Even in the choruses we sing in many Christian gatherings today, prideful words are not only used, the way we sing and dance sometimes show that we need the help of the Holy Spirit urgently!
Dear reader, it feels good when you are first in the class. It is certainly sweet to be classed as a first among equals. I would rather get an award as the best staff in my working place than to be ridiculed as a worm that has to be carefully ejected. We all desire to occupy positions that we would be proud off.
However, in our happiness and attempt to show the world the great things that we have achieved and the lofty heights we have attained, we have to be very careful of who gets the glory. Once we begin to praise ourselves and make moves to make men praise us the more, pride is no longer a distant relation, it has become as close as our dear family members! Let us look at an example in Acts 12:21-23.
And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. 22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. 23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
The passage is a typical description of what pride is all about. It is thinking more highly than one ought to think. Think of it, it starts with thinking! A man that is not proud in thought cannot speak with pride neither can he exhibit a prideful behaviour.
Pride triggers:
Even though each of us is born with the nature of sin and tendency to be proud (I expect you to disagree except you are not proud), there are often some things that trigger it. If you think back, there are some people that were assumed to be humble before until something or someone pulled the trigger. Some of what I consider could trigger pride are:
- Being rich.
I was faced with much hunger such that I was tempted to beg between July and August 1989. The following month, I got a job and I found myself in the best hotel in Makurdi while on an official trip. Before the end of September 1989, you would not believe how I started harassing the hotel staff with all pride whenever I needed anything until the Spirit of God dealt with me. If you are suddenly becoming rude because you have more money now, then consider 1Tim 6:17. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. - Brilliance.
1Co 8:1b says “Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth”. When you think you know more than others, arrogance sets in. When a renowned playwright and poet was asked to simplify his works so that more people could enjoy his contribution to literature, he told them bluntly that he does not write for “illiterates”! Who are the illiterates? That include most of us who don’t have degrees in literary arts or skills to interpret complex grammar! - Breakthrough.
Can you remember the state of humility of many of your acquaintances, including men of God before they had a breakthrough that threw them into the limelight? Are they still simple and humble? Only a few. PFN called on a popular pastor few years ago to check his teachings and ensure he remained in the balance of the word of God. He simply rebuffed them and said his ministry should no longer be regarded as a part of the body! I read this in the newspaper and shook my head in disbelief. - Birth.
I have also found out that those born with silver spoon in their mouth have a lot to boast about. That is what aristocracy is all about. That would explain why many woman would still want the name of their fathers to be part of their marital names. Rehoboam’s pride stemmed from this. - Environment.
Have you listen to radio call-in programmes recently? People tell lies about where they live! I have heard ladies boast of where they live, the school their children attend. Men also talk of their background, the countries of the world they have visited even when no one is asking them. Our environment can drive us into pride when we want to be accepted. - Profession.
Many may not agree with me but I think I am in a profession that is dosed with pride. I didn’t see much to be proud of until during my induction. We were told that being Chartered Accountants, we should be proud to be part of the 10% that passed the very difficult examination that led to our qualifications. You would hardly hear a farmer in Nigeria boasting of being a farmer or a mason boasting of his vocation. Are you a professional? Are you a rare expert in a field? Please watch out for pride. - Good look and other natural endowments.
Tell a grandma of over 80 how elegant she looks in her new dress and watch her steps changing! Tell a lady how charming she is and watch her next step! Have you ever watched wrestlers and boxers boast before a match? Tell a musician how inspiring his skills are and more demonstrations will follow. While there is nothing wrong in appreciating and being appreciated, we need to always pass the glory over to God if pride is not to rule over us. Once you bask in the glory and accolade, you are on your way down! - Independent Spirit.
If you think only achievers could be proud, you are mistaken. There are many that the reason for their failure in life is their pride. A poor man that is proud will not seek for help when he should. He would not accept there are things he can learn from friends, relations etc. he would rather chastise anyone better than him / her. I am yet to see a tree that ever makes a forest.
We can go on and on. Dear reader, which is your trigger? You need to know what makes you proud so as to remain humble! It is dangerous to be proud. Herod died and was eaten by worms because of pride. You would have heard it before that pride goes before a fall. John Bunyan said that it is he that is down that needs fear no fall.
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, Rom 1:21-22
How to break the back of pride:
The word of God. A child of God has many things to be proud of. The main thing that can hold us in check is the word of God. There are several verses that talk about pride in the Bible. I have had to meditate on many to remain as I am. If I cease to study and meditate on the Holy Bible just for a week, I cannot imagine the height that my pride would have attained! Daily time with God’s word is a must. Every man is a balloon that the wind of pride wants to carry wherever it wills. The rope holding us in check is the word of God.
Without the word, I don’t know how your heart can be transformed to remain humble. It is dangerous to pray for God to break your pride. He asks that you be humble (meaning you are the one who should do something about it). If you shift the responsibility to God and He decides to answer your prayer, I can guess what your next prayer point would be. It would be similar to that of Elijah as in 1 Kings 19:4- that you are ready to die!
Your friends may also be able to assist you. I have had to change friends in the past for this reason. If the Bible says that whoever walks with the wise shall be wise, it goes without saying that whoever walks with the proud will be proud! Iron sharpens iron. The people you associate with to a large extent determine your character. If you move with the right people, anytime you exhibit an act of pride, their body language will encourage you to repent and retrace your step. If however you are moving with proud people, they will fuel your ego the more until you perish!
Also, you have to be humble. What is humility? Are there examples? How do we attain it?
God bless you.