If there is one thing God hates so much, it is pride. The scripture uses so many strong words to describe God’s disposition to the proud. It says God detests and repels the proud. So, we understand that the easiest way you put yourself out of favor with God is to have pride. Many will think this is not for them because they are as humble as the word itself. But, there are a few things that God classifies as pride that we have for so long not realized. (Pro. 16:5 NLT; James 4:6)

The most basic form of pride we all know about is when a person sees himself as better than everyone else. It is also when someone is boastful or feels established by his own achievements.  When a person exalts himself above others because of what he has, we also call it pride. Pride is making yourself superior to others, especially in a disdainful way. Boasting about your feats and belongings can also be called pride. We call it pride when a person credits himself more than necessary. Everyone agrees that all these are forms of pride.

God agrees too. He did not go easy on king Nebuchadnezzar when he tried making himself the center of a picture he didn’t create (Dan. 4:25-35). Nevertheless, God has a higher standard. There a few things, beyond all that is mentioned above –common especially to believers –that God regards as pride. He tells us that this is not all there is to the matter.

God wants us remember at all times that we are what we are by His grace (1 Cor. 15:10). The Pharisees –and many believers today put their confidence in their achievements, titles, position in church, and even themselves. They put their confidence in the flesh. By acting self righteously, they have exhibited pride. 

Jesus was always strong on the Pharisees because they had this form of pride. They believed so much in their works as what saved them. They felt they were in a rightstanding with God because they obeyed the laws. But to be in rightstanding with God is more than obeying laws. It is pleasing God. 

A good number of Christians still live self righteously. They believe in the saving works of Christ but think it is by their works that they can keep that salvation. Though our salvation ought to produce good and fruitful works, it is not what saves us (Eph. 2:8-9). Seeing it as your strength rather than God’s grace is a form of pride. Such people tell God “I am sufficient for myself, I don’t need your help”. Such people behave in like manner as Nebuchadnezzar did. 

Another form of pride that we don’t talk about enough is self-dependence. While there is a class of people that believe they don’t need help, another class recognizes their need of help but search for that help within themselves. They don’t feel the need to “disturb” God with their issues.
One thing that made David such a humble man was his willingness to take every matter to God, regardless of how serious or trivial it was. There are believers who are struggling with sin, understandably so, we are all work in progress. But only a few deem it fit to let God in on the matter. Many of us want to bear that burden on our own. We feel it’s our cross and we must carry it alone. When we fail to involve God in matters that we struggle with, we tell Him “I am sufficient for myself, I don’t need your help”. 

Proud people always find it demeaning to ask for help and when they do ask for help, they do it conceitedly. However, there is humility in asking for help. God regards it as humility to be able to come clean about our weaknesses and ask for help (2 Chro. 7:14). Why do people even struggle to do these things on their own? So they can say “look God, I did it myself” ?

And this is what scripture says about people who exhibit pride: God repels them. But He gives grace to the humble. That’s why as a believer struggling alone with sin, each time you tell yourself it will be the last time, you end up falling harder. By rejecting God’s help, you have exhibited pride. Self righteous people are of the same category. They are people who outrightly reject the sacrifice of Christ. 

However, when you humble yourself before God, recognising your limitations, weaknesses and frailty. When you humbly acknowledge that it was grace that saved you and only grace can keep you saved, He gives you even more grace. When you involve Him in matters concerning your weakness, He gives more grace. Titus 2: 11-12 tells us grace teaches us how to live as godly people. 

To those who abase themselves before God, He lifts and gives more grace (Jam. 4:10). To those who make themselves more than they really are, He brings down (Prov. 29:23). Grace only comes to the humble. 

Pride is rejecting God. The message of Jesus Christ, the gospel –which is an embodiment of grace –can only be accepted by the humble, those meek at heart. The scripture is clear on this matter. In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.” Psalm 10:4 Today presents you an opportunity to accept Jesus as Lord. Say this prayer: Dear Jesus, I thank you for your sacrifice of love for me. In all humility, I accept you as my Lord and Savior. Amen

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Prayer: Lord Jesus, in any way I have been proud, forgive me please. Help me to be more humble, that I may obtain more and more grace from you. Amen.