The spirit of pride has existed long in several Christians and as individuals and has also reduced great men to nothing. Having a look at the word pride, different thoughts comes into one's mind. Someone can be proud in relation to personal achievement so can be very happy or pleased because of what he/she has done, or can be proud of a person or his/her achievements. Therefore, we can say that being "proud" is not an all round negative aspect. It is the habit of showing that you're more better and important than others in a manner that seems displeasing (to others) that has ravaged Christians and spells doom if not well taken care of.
One of the greatest calamities of this destiny killing habit called pride is self deception. It has made many to fail in life. This is a great trap. By this, men are unable to see themselves as they are. This habit never points inward ;but to others, it says "not me, it's them". No wonder Proverbs 6:16-17 says;
- These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
- A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
Emphasis on "a proud look"
God hates this habit because it has a spiritual source. A proud spirit makes one snobbish and arrogant. This spirit kills our ability to obey God's plan and purpose. It is an anti-God habit obviously making it that of a habit of Lucifer. Lucifer was an angel until pride as a spirit became of him and he finally became the devil.
This spirit shows in the life of a man who is turning away from God to seek satisfaction in self. This offensive habit affects our purity,behavior, relationship with God and brethren in the body of Christ. It is the rot of the problem in the church because if a man has a proud habit and another in the same place has it as well, they will compete rather than complement each other. Proverbs 13:10 says ;
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
The body of Christ needs complement and not competition. The hand and leg are not in competition but in complement with each other. This habit(of pride) originates in self righteousness making one to be wise in one's own eyes. There is one thing peculiar to those who carry this spirit of pride in them which is destruction.
Proverbs 16:18 says;
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
This is evident that the spirit of pride causes failure. You can succeed with such. It is a tool for great downfall. The proud feels he/she is a standard everyone must look up to. It is a habit that can bring shame and disgrace. According to Proverbs 11:2,
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
Pride is a sinful habit that focuses undue attention on one self and it has a destructive effect on the fruit of the spirit(Galatians 5:22-23). Having pride is a habit of self worship. It seeks self. It's the opposite of love. Remember, love is a selfless interest in another. Therefore, stay humble in your walk with God and man.
If God does not want us to walk in pride, then we should walk contrary to it. What would be the exact opposite of pride? HUMILITY. No wonder the Bible says in James 4:10
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Therefore, kill this spirit of bride by being humble. Humility is not the derogation of ourselves as individuals, but a reasonable attitude towards ourselves that sees and understands with relative clarity how and what we truly are. Humility can take a man to two places, forward and upward. That is where success is.