The Cure for Pride
“Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.” - Proverbs 16:5
Pride is at the root of our sin. Adam ate of the forbidden fruit because, in that moment, he believed he knew what was best for him, despite God telling him otherwise. And the plague of pride has infected man ever since.
Jonathan Edwards wrote an article identifying several symptoms of pride (article link). Included in the symptoms he described were:
Fault Finding
Pride focuses on the good we see in ourselves, and the faults we see in others. Pride resists the work of the Spirit in refining our hearts, and instead focuses on changes that we believe others need. A convicting verse from the Bible, or a convicting word from a sermon, is applied in the proud mind to others instead of to self.
A Harsh Spirit
The spiritually proud speaks harshly of others, including those in the church family. Pride leads us to belittle others’ struggles in “well-meaning” gossip, where we disparage others in order to lift ourselves up. This poison can also manifest itself in Pharisee-like prayers, where we pray for others as if they are beneath us, less holy, and we are thankful that we are “not like them”.
Defensiveness
The proud take offense easily, focusing on any injury incurred, speaking openly about it with bitterness. Defensive speech is highly divisive in the church, inviting our brothers and sisters to choose “our side” in the case against the one who has wronged us. The humble Christian welcomes the challenge or rebuke of others as a calling to repentance and refinement, an opportunity for growth.
Desperation for Attention and Respect
Pride causes us to seek satisfaction in the praise of others. We can become desperate to be noticed for our spiritual gifts or acts of service. Then we adopt a poor opinion of anyone who does not give us the respect or attention we believe we deserve.
We all struggle with pride in its many forms. Even as we read this list, we are likely tempted to think of others who display these symptoms, instead of allowing the Spirit to work on our own hearts! How can we break free of these sinful habits? How can a fault finder instead see the good in others? How can one with a harsh spirit begin speaking in gentleness? How can the easily offended change their perception about how they have been wronged or mistreated? How can the approval seeker lay down his or her need for praise?
Thankfully, God did not leave us alone to find answers to these questions. We do not fight this battle alone. He graciously provided the one and only cure – the cross. When we turn to the Gospel and invite the Holy Spirit to do its transforming work in our hearts, we can then lay down our me-centered view of the world and look to Jesus.
Paul highlights this in Romans 11:17-20 –
“If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble.”
Jesus is the root that nourishes us, gives us life. How quickly we forget and boast in our fruit! Jesus lived a perfect life, died for our sins, then rose on the third day to conquer sin and death. For the joy set before him! How can I boast in anything, lord anything over another, when I have been given everything that I have from our good and merciful Father in heaven?
When we are fault finding, or harsh, or defensive, or starved for attention, we are believing that our satisfaction, our joy, our hope, can be found in holding a superior position to others, or earning a greater reputation than others. The Gospel cures us of this curse! God is our creator and provider; every good gift comes from Him. Even our repentance and faith are gifts. So when I reflect on God’s work of salvation on my behalf, I get a clearer picture of myself – a sinner saved by grace, desperately needy, weak and poor. I see that like others I am prone to mistakes, imperfect and still have lots to learn. I see that I don’t need the attention or respect of others when I reflect on the love that Jesus has for me; in Him I am accepted and loved, and He is pleased with me!
Isaac Watts beautifully described the cure for pride when he wrote the hymn “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” over 300 years ago:
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the Death of Christ my God:
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his Blood.
May we remind ourselves, and each other, to look to the cross of Christ daily (hourly! by the minute!) to kill the ever-growing sprouts of pride in our hearts. As Paul writes in Philippians 3, may we all “consider everything loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord”!