Combating Pride Through Faith and Humility

Devotional

Day 1: Pride as Unbelief: Seeking Satisfaction in Self

Pride is a subtle form of unbelief that diverts our satisfaction from Christ to ourselves. It is the inclination to find worth and admiration in our own achievements rather than in the all-satisfying nature of Christ. This self-centeredness is a denial of the truth that everything we have is a gift from God. Recognizing this truth is the first step in combating pride. By acknowledging that our talents, possessions, and even our very breath are gifts from God, we can begin to shift our focus from self-glorification to glorifying God. This shift leads us to boast only in the Lord, as we understand that He is the source of all that distinguishes us from others. [03:32]

1 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV): "For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?"

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you tend to seek validation from others. How can you redirect this desire for approval towards finding satisfaction in Christ alone today?

Day 2: True Humility: Submitting and Drawing Near to God

True humility is characterized by submission to God and drawing near to Him. While pride seeks independence and self-reliance, humility acknowledges God's authority and trusts in His wisdom and love. This involves a conscious decision to submit our will to God's, recognizing that His plans are far superior to our own. By drawing near to God, we open ourselves to His guidance and strength, allowing Him to shape our lives according to His purpose. This act of submission is not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of faith and trust in God's perfect plan. [06:27]

James 4:6-8 (ESV): "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."

Reflection: Consider a decision you are currently facing. How can you actively submit this decision to God and seek His guidance in the process?

Day 3: Acknowledging God's Sovereignty Over Our Lives

Acknowledging God's sovereignty is essential in fighting pride. Pride often manifests in our tendency to boast about our plans and achievements without recognizing God's ultimate control over our lives. We must remember that our lives are in God's hands, and our plans should always be subject to His will. This acknowledgment is a powerful antidote to pride, as it shifts our focus from self-reliance to dependence on God. By submitting our plans to God, we demonstrate our trust in His wisdom and timing, knowing that He works all things for our good. [09:01]

James 4:13-16 (ESV): "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit'—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.'"

Reflection: Reflect on a recent plan or goal you have set. How can you intentionally submit this plan to God's will and trust in His sovereignty?

Day 4: Casting Anxieties on God: An Act of Humility and Faith

Casting our anxieties on God is a profound expression of humility and faith. Proud individuals often refuse to admit their anxieties or seek God's help, believing they can handle everything on their own. However, humility acknowledges our need for God and trusts Him to care for us. By casting our anxieties on God, we demonstrate our reliance on His strength and provision. This act of faith not only alleviates our burdens but also deepens our relationship with God, as we learn to trust Him with every aspect of our lives. [12:17]

1 Peter 5:5-7 (ESV): "Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."

Reflection: What is one anxiety or burden you are currently carrying? How can you practice casting this anxiety on God today and trust Him to care for you?

Day 5: Giving Glory to God: Living in Faith and Dependence

The opposite of pride is giving glory to God by living in faith and dependence on Him. We glorify God by trusting in His wisdom, strength, and grace, making His glory evident to others through our lives. This involves a conscious decision to live in a way that reflects our dependence on God, rather than on our own abilities. By doing so, we not only combat pride but also become a testament to God's greatness and love. Our lives should be a reflection of God's glory, drawing others to Him through our faith and trust in His provision. [18:01]

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally live today to make God's glory evident to those around you? How can your actions and words reflect your dependence on Him?

Sermon Summary

In our journey to combat pride, we must first understand its root: unbelief. Pride is a form of unbelief that turns away from the all-satisfying Christ to find satisfaction in oneself and the admiration of others. To fight pride, we must engage in the battle of faith, recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God. This understanding leads us to humility, where we boast only in the Lord and acknowledge His sovereignty over our lives.

1 Corinthians 4:7 reminds us that everything distinguishing us from others is a gift from God. The opposite of pride is recognizing and cherishing this truth, which leads us to boast only in the Lord. Similarly, James 4:6-8 teaches us that the opposite of pride is submission to God and drawing near to Him. Pride seeks independence, but true humility submits to God's authority and draws near to Him, trusting in His wisdom and love.

James 4:13-16 further illustrates that boasting in our plans without acknowledging God's sovereignty is a form of pride. We must recognize that our lives are in God's hands, and our plans should always be subject to His will. This acknowledgment of God's sovereignty is a powerful antidote to pride.

1 Peter 5:5-7 encourages us to clothe ourselves with humility and cast our anxieties on God. Proud people often refuse to admit their anxieties or seek God's help, but humility acknowledges our need for God and trusts Him to care for us. This act of casting our anxieties on God is a profound expression of faith and humility.

Finally, Jeremiah 13:15-16 and 9:23-24 remind us that the opposite of pride is giving glory to God. We glorify God by living in faith, trusting in His wisdom, strength, and grace. Our lives should reflect a dependence on God that makes His glory evident to others.

Key Takeaways

1. Pride is a form of unbelief that seeks satisfaction in self rather than in Christ. To combat pride, we must recognize that everything we have is a gift from God and boast only in Him. [03:32]
2. True humility involves submitting to God and drawing near to Him. Pride seeks independence, but humility acknowledges God's authority and trusts in His wisdom and love. [06:27]
3. Acknowledging God's sovereignty over our lives is essential in fighting pride. Our plans should always be subject to God's will, recognizing that our lives are in His hands. [09:01]
4. Casting our anxieties on God is an expression of humility and faith. Proud people often refuse to admit their anxieties or seek God's help, but humility acknowledges our need for God and trusts Him to care for us. [12:17]
5. Giving glory to God is the opposite of pride. We glorify God by living in faith, trusting in His wisdom, strength, and grace, and making His glory evident to others through our dependence on Him. [18:01]
** [18:01]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:16] - The Root of Pride
[00:56] - Pride as Unbelief
[01:50] - 1 Corinthians 4:7: Gifts from God
[04:07] - James 4: Submission and Drawing Near
[07:08] - James 4: Acknowledging God's Sovereignty
[11:00] - 1 Peter 5: Humility and Casting Anxieties
[13:27] - The Beauty of Humility
[17:16] - Jeremiah 13: Giving Glory to God
[19:31] - Jeremiah 9: The Insidious Nature of Pride
[21:34] - The Tactic Against Pride
[22:07] - Personal Confession and Christian Hedonism
[23:31] - The End of Self
[23:50] - Conclusion and Next Series Preview

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 Corinthians 4:7
- James 4:6-8
- 1 Peter 5:5-7

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Observation Questions:

According to 1 Corinthians 4:7, what is the source of everything that distinguishes us from others? How does this relate to the concept of pride? [02:41]
In James 4:6-8, what are the two actions mentioned that are opposite to pride? How do these actions demonstrate humility? [04:31]
How does 1 Peter 5:5-7 describe the relationship between humility and casting anxieties on God? What does this suggest about the nature of humility? [11:57]
What does James 4:13-16 say about making plans without acknowledging God's sovereignty? How is this related to pride? [07:47]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God help combat pride, according to 1 Corinthians 4:7? [03:32]
In what ways does submitting to God and drawing near to Him, as mentioned in James 4:6-8, challenge the independence that pride seeks? [06:11]
How does the act of casting anxieties on God, as described in 1 Peter 5:5-7, serve as an expression of faith and humility? [12:17]
What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between acknowledging God's sovereignty and the fight against pride? How does this understanding impact our daily lives? [09:01]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a recent situation where you found yourself boasting or feeling proud. How might recognizing that everything you have is a gift from God change your perspective in similar situations? [03:32]
Consider an area of your life where you struggle to submit to God's authority. What steps can you take to draw nearer to God and trust in His wisdom and love? [06:27]
Identify a specific anxiety you are currently facing. How can you practice casting this anxiety on God, and what might be the impact on your faith and humility? [12:17]
Think about your future plans. How can you incorporate an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty into your planning process? What changes might this bring to your approach? [09:01]
Reflect on a time when you sought satisfaction in yourself or the admiration of others rather than in Christ. How can you shift your focus to boast only in the Lord? [03:32]
How can you make God's glory evident to others through your dependence on Him? Identify one practical way to demonstrate this in your daily interactions. [18:01]
Consider a situation where you have been reluctant to admit your need for God. How can you cultivate a habit of expressing your dependence on Him, both privately and publicly? [13:27]

Sermon Clips

Unbelief is a turning away from the all-satisfying Christ to look for and find satisfaction in anything else, and pride is a turning away from that all-satisfying Christ in order to find satisfaction very specifically in self and being made much of by others. [00:01:01]

The opposite of pride is the recognizing and savoring or cherishing the truth that everything I am and have is a gift from God in which I may not boast except to give him glory. The way therefore to battle unbelief at this point or to battle pride at this point is to believe. [00:03:23]

Submit yourselves there therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Now I see two opposites of pride in those verses, don't you? One, submitting yourself to God and two, drawing near to God. [00:04:31]

The way boasting expresses itself in this text is by unbelief in the sovereignty of God in the details of your life. Unbelief in the sovereignty of God in the details of your life is the flip side of pride. You say I'm going to Deluth for Christmas. [00:07:47]

The sovereignty of God has to do with whether you get home from church today, has to do with your business and whether it prospers or not, has to do with your health and whether you get sick and die or not. Did you see the implication there for health? [00:09:00]

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God that in due time he may exalt you. Cast all your anxieties on him for he cares about you. Now notice something very beautiful here. Peter says humility should be like a big garment. [00:11:23]

Casting your anxieties on God puts you in a category different from proud people. One, proud people don't want to admit they've got anxieties. They want to look so together. We dress like we're together, we walk like we're together, we do our business like we're together. [00:12:27]

God hates pride but the reason he hates pride is because he loves people. People who are not proud find more grace, James said. They draw near to God and he bears their anxieties and works omnipotently for them. God loves to work on behalf of those who wait for him in humility. [00:13:24]

Hear and give ear, be not proud. This is 13:15. Hear and give ear, be not proud for the Lord God has spoken. Give glory to the Lord your God before he brings darkness. Now that text is very simple to divide into the pride and its opposite. [00:17:18]

The opposite of pride is giving glory to God. But how do you do that? What does that mean? We all know here, don't we, that you don't give God glory by adding some of your glory to his glory and therefore increasing his glory. That's blasphemy. [00:17:51]

Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the Mighty Man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches, but let him who glory is glory in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practice steadfast love, justice, and righteousness. [00:19:31]

Christian Hedonism is the final solution. It is deeper than death to self. You have to go down deeper into the grave of the flesh to find the truly freeing stream of miracle water that ravishes you with the taste of God's glory. [00:23:09]

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Combating Pride Through Faith and Humility

Devotional

Day 1: Pride as Unbelief: Seeking Satisfaction in Self

Day 2: True Humility: Submitting and Drawing Near to God

Day 3: Acknowledging God's Sovereignty Over Our Lives

Day 4: Casting Anxieties on God: An Act of Humility and Faith

Day 5: Giving Glory to God: Living in Faith and Dependence

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Combating Pride Through Faith and Humility

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