The Danger of Pride

No one wants to think of themselves as a proud person. Proud people aren't easy to live with. They often find themselves alone. Who wants to be proud? Actually, pride often goes undetected beneath a layer of religion. It spends a long time festering underneath, and then ultimately shows its ugly self.

Judges 14:1-2 - One day when Samson was in Timnah, one of the Philistine women caught his eye. When he returned home, he told his father and mother, “A young Philistine woman in Timnah caught my eye. I want to marry her. Get her for me.”

God anoints whom he will with the power of his Spirit for ministry. This does not equate with knowing God intimately. Furthermore, this does not mean that God will have maximum effectiveness through a life that has been anointed by God. Closeness with God and maximum effectiveness for ministry lies in the choice of the individual - the choice toward pride or humility.

Pride asserts self as king, while often maintaining a posture of religious humility. It is deceptive and wicked. Pride draws attention away from God and puts it on self. The human hunger for glory is large. The deep desire to feed ego is almost insatiable. With the continual feeding of ego comes the greater appetite.

Pride thrives in the shadows of religious function. The appearance of godliness provides a good mask. Presenting a front of obedience to God but living a life of independence from God is the hallmark of pride. Philippians 3:19 There is an obvious contradiction here that the proud individual misses. Self-deception is the fruit of pride.

Many other dangerous and wicked fruit come from pride. Self-idolatry is among the worst. For God has said, "You must have no other god but me." Exodus 20:3 From self-idolatry comes the quick downward spiral of feeding the flesh through sexual immorality and other forms of rebellion. This was exemplified through the life of Samson.

Jesus is not Lord of the proud person. He will not share his throne with another. Sooner or later, the Spirit of God will remove himself from the proud one and stand in opposition to that person. 1 Peter 5:5 This is the greatest danger of pride… to be opposed by God.