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Articles
Problems of the Proud
Few issues of the heart are as subtle or as powerful as pride. Like a cancer that comes unnoticed, pride will bring about one’s destruction if left unchecked and untreated. Pride is often thought of as arrogance and thinking too highly of yourself. While that is true, pride also manifests itself by simply thinking of yourself too much. Selfishness and self-centeredness are symptoms of a proud heart. James 4 highlights the problems pride poses in the hearts of men.
Pride causes contention with others, (James 4:1-3). Division amongst God’s people comes when we pursue our own pleasure and desires. Christians ought to pursue peace with one another (James 3:18). Peace results from seeking the best interest of others over our own desires. Conflict is the result when we get that reversed. Whenever there is division amongst God’s people, selfishness and pride is a big part of the problem.
We see pride in action when we “speak against one another” or when we unfairly judge our brother (James 4:11). When we hold others accountable to our own standard instead of God’s word is to put yourself in the position of the Judge. That role belongs to God alone. How arrogant must I be to try to act in place of the Almighty?
Pride causes contention with God, (James 4:4-6). It is impossible to seek after the lusts of the world and also seek God’s will. When our motives lead us to pursue our pleasures above all else, whether we know it or not, we make the choice to oppose God (James 4:4). God is opposed to those who are opposed to His will (James 4:6).
Such pride is evident when you act like you are in total control of our life (James 4:13-14). Everything revolves around the desires of the proud man, without even the acknowledgment that God may have other plans in mind. Such a person fails to seek God’s will for their life (James 4:15).
Perhaps the most egregious demonstration of pride is seen in our stubbornness against God. Am I ever more proud than when I read God’s word but insist on doing whatever I want anyway? “Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17)
Humility brings God’s grace (James 4:7-10). Pride is a powerful evil. Thankfully, overcoming such a force is not accomplished through any mighty feat of your own, but simply through submission to God (James 4:7). You only have to “draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:8a). We must allow God to purify our heart by seeking Him, and Him alone (James 4:8b). Our strength comes not through personal will-power, but from God’s grace when we wholly surrender our lives to Him (James 4:6).
Humility is demonstrated when we diligently pursue peace with our brothers and sisters in Christ and refuse to act as their “Judge” (James 4:11-12). Humility means God’s will always takes priority when making decisions in our life (James 4:15). Humility also means are committed to doing the right thing and following the Lord, no matter the cost (James 4:17).
As powerful as pride is, humility triumphs over pride every time we allow humility to have a chance. No matter how much the cancer of pride has spread in a person’s heart, God’s grace is always able to offer cleansing to any willing to come to Him. The problems of pride may be many, but the gift of God’s grace is always greater.
