The Dangers of Pride

The Dangers of Pride

By Apostle Felix

18  Your boast becomes a prophecy of a future failure. The higher you lift up yourself in pride, the harder you’ll fall in disgrace.

Proverbs 16: 18

First and foremost, we have to look at what pride is not. Pride is not confidence. Of course, they are people that may have confidence in their abilities, and that can be called pride. But the display of confidence as opposed to timidity is not pride. One can have a confident disposition, unlike others with a timidity disposition. A positive self image is not pride. Seeing yourself in a positive light should not be mistaken for pride. A joyful attitude is not pride. For others, to be depressed and nursing self pity  emotions is a sign of humility. But humility should not be treated as weakness and having an outlook of defeat. Pride is not driving an expensive car, living in a mansion or wearing Gucci suits and shoes. However, some can draw identity from what is on their bodies and the car they are driving. That can be termed as a low self esteem.

1Pe 5:5  In the same way, the younger ones should willingly support the leadership of the elders. In every relationship, each of you must wrap around yourself the apron of a humble servant. Because: God resists you when you are proud but multiplies grace and favor when you are humble.

1 Peter 5: 5

What is pride then? Pride is the resistance to submit to God’s authority and His finished work. It’s the rejection of God’s will for your life. In the above scripture, apostle Peter addressed pride as a resistance to authority. Oftentimes, many tend to think that the rich are the proud. Honestly speaking, we can find both the rich and the poor who are proud. And on the contrary, we will have find the rich and poor who are humble. Is the rich or the poor submitted to the work of Christ? If both have done so, then they are both humble. Humility is a submission to God’s finished work in Christ. The New Testament humility has got to do with accepting and believing in what Christ has done for us.

6  But he continues to pour out more and more grace upon us. For it says, God resists you when you are proud but continually pours out grace when you are humble.” 

James 4: 6

This may not sit well with some people. But we do have proud believers. How? It is when a believer insists on trying to work for his or her salvation. The Bible does not tell us to work for our salvation, but it does tell us to work out our salvation. There is huge difference between the two statements. The former suggests that we have to do something in order to contribute to what the Lord has done, while the latter is manifesting the life of God in us.

12  My beloved ones, just like you’ve always listened to everything I’ve taught you in the past, I’m asking you now to keep following my instructions as though I were right there with you. Now you must continue to make this new life fully manifested as you live in the holy awe of God—which brings you trembling into his presence.

Philippians 2: 12

The practice of shadows is pride. Jesus is the substance. Why then should we still continue practicing the shadows when we have the substance.

16  So why would you allow anyone to judge you because of what you eat or drink, or insist that you keep the feasts, observe new moon celebrations, or the Sabbath?
17  All of these were but a prophetic shadow and the evidence of what would be fulfilled, for the body is now Christ! 

Colossians 2: 16, 17

Pride is subtle. It is subtle because it hides in religion. Religion is a fraternity that is ritualistic based. Rituals are used to contact divinity. Christianity is not a religion, but is a relationship. Unfortunately, we find ritualistic practices in christianity such as water, oil, salt and other elements used as spiritual elements to contact divinity. That’s not christianity. It is works that are motivated by the flesh, and that is called pride. Christianity is a child of grace and is sustained by grace. Therefore, grace is in short supply where religion is practiced. 2026, let us consult the builder of the church, Jesus Christ and allow Him to build His church, by His grace and not by works.