Conquering Pride: Embracing Humility in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Pride as the Root of All Sin

Pride is often considered the root of all other sins, as it was the cause of Satan's fall and Adam and Eve's disobedience. When we put ourselves on the throne of our lives, we are in direct opposition to the biblical call to elevate Christ above all else. This self-centeredness leads to a myriad of other sins and ultimately to spiritual destruction. Proverbs 16:18 warns that "pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Recognizing pride as the fundamental sin is crucial for spiritual growth and alignment with God's will.

Pride manifests in various ways, such as attention-seeking, a judgmental attitude, and self-reliance. These behaviors drive a wedge between us and God, making it difficult to live a life that glorifies Him. By understanding the destructive nature of pride, we can begin to take steps to combat it and live a life that honors God. [36:02]

1 Peter 5:5-6 (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."

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you put your desires above God's will. How can you humble yourself and seek God's guidance in similar situations moving forward?

Day 2: The Subtlety of Pride

Pride can be subtle, manifesting in ways that are not always immediately obvious. Attention-seeking, a judgmental attitude, and self-reliance are all forms of pride that can go unnoticed but have a significant impact on our spiritual lives. These behaviors create a barrier between us and God, making it difficult to live a life that glorifies Him. Recognizing these subtle manifestations of pride is the first step in combating it.

By identifying and acknowledging these behaviors, we can begin to take steps to address them. This involves self-reflection and a willingness to change. It is important to remember that pride is not just about overt arrogance but can also be seen in more subtle forms of self-centeredness. [45:43]

James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent interaction where you may have exhibited a judgmental attitude. How can you approach similar situations with humility and grace in the future?

Day 3: Humility as the Antidote

Humility is the antidote to pride. It involves lowering ourselves so that God can be elevated in our lives. Philippians 2:1-11 calls us to have the same attitude as Christ, who humbled Himself even to the point of death on a cross. By embracing humility, we can overcome pride and live in a way that glorifies God. Humility is not about thinking less of ourselves but about thinking of ourselves less and putting God and others first.

Embracing humility requires a conscious effort to surrender our lives to Jesus and bring every aspect of our lives under His authority. This means acknowledging our dependence on God and seeking His guidance in all that we do. By doing so, we can live a life that reflects Christ's love and humility. [52:42]

Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you struggle with pride. What practical steps can you take to practice humility in this area?

Day 4: The Danger of Self-Reliance

One of the most dangerous forms of pride is self-reliance, the belief that we can do everything on our own without God. This attitude is a direct rejection of God's authority and leads to spiritual destruction. True Christianity involves surrendering every aspect of our lives to Christ and acknowledging our dependence on Him. Self-reliance can be subtle, often disguised as independence or self-sufficiency, but it ultimately separates us from God.

By recognizing the danger of self-reliance, we can take steps to surrender our lives to Christ and seek His guidance in all that we do. This involves daily prayer, reading the Bible, and seeking the counsel of other believers. By doing so, we can live a life that reflects our dependence on God and His authority. [49:48]

Jeremiah 17:5-7 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.'"

Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. Did you rely on your own strength or seek God's guidance? How can you practice dependence on God in future challenges?

Day 5: Communion as a Reminder

Taking communion is a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and our need to put Him on the throne of our lives. It is an opportunity to repent of our pride and recommit to living under the authority of Christ. In doing so, we find true life and freedom from the destructive power of pride. Communion is not just a ritual but a time to reflect on our relationship with God and our need for His grace.

As we take communion, we are reminded of the humility of Christ and His willingness to sacrifice Himself for our sins. This should inspire us to live a life that reflects His love and humility. By regularly participating in communion, we can keep our focus on Christ and our need for His guidance in our lives. [01:04:18]

1 Corinthians 11:28-29 (ESV): "Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself."

Reflection: As you prepare to take communion, reflect on any areas of pride in your life. How can you surrender these areas to Christ and seek His guidance moving forward?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. Today, we conclude our series on the Seven Deadly Sins by focusing on pride. The early church fathers identified these sins as particularly dangerous because they believed that if left unchecked, they could lead to spiritual death. Among these, pride is often considered the root of all other sins. Pride was the reason for Satan's fall and Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden. C.S. Lewis described pride as the "complete anti-God state of mind," emphasizing its destructive nature.

Pride is essentially putting oneself on the throne of one's life, which is in direct opposition to the biblical call to elevate Christ above all else. This self-centeredness leads to a myriad of other sins and ultimately to spiritual destruction. Proverbs 16:18 warns that "pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Pride can be subtle, manifesting in ways like attention-seeking, a judgmental attitude, and self-reliance. These behaviors drive a wedge between us and God, making it difficult to live a life that glorifies Him.

To combat pride, we must embrace humility, which involves lowering ourselves so that God can be elevated in our lives. Philippians 2:1-11 calls us to have the same attitude as Christ, who humbled Himself even to the point of death on a cross. By surrendering our lives to Jesus and bringing every aspect of our lives under His authority, we can overcome pride and live in a way that glorifies God.

As we take communion today, let us remember the sacrifice of Jesus and commit to putting Him on the throne of our lives. If you have never surrendered your life to Christ, today is the day to do so. In Christ, we find true life, free from the destructive power of pride.

###

Key Takeaways

1. seeking, a judgmental attitude, and self-reliance. These behaviors drive a wedge between us and God, making it difficult to live a life that glorifies Him. Recognizing these manifestations is the first step in combating pride. [45:43]
3. Humility as the Antidote: Humility involves lowering ourselves so that God can be elevated in our lives. Philippians 2:1-11 calls us to have the same attitude as Christ, who humbled Himself even to the point of death on a cross. By embracing humility, we can overcome pride and live in a way that glorifies God.

4. The Danger of Self-Reliance: One of the most dangerous forms of pride is self-reliance, the belief that we can do everything on our own without God. This attitude is a direct rejection of God's authority and leads to spiritual destruction. True Christianity involves surrendering every aspect of our lives to Christ.

5. Communion as a Reminder: Taking communion is a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and our need to put Him on the throne of our lives. It is an opportunity to repent of our pride and recommit to living under the authority of Christ. In doing so, we find true life and freedom from the destructive power of pride.

### [45:43]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[33:38] - Mission Trip Celebration
[34:45] - Introduction and Prayer
[35:24] - The Seven Deadly Sins
[36:02] - The Root of All Sin: Pride
[37:25] - Biblical Perspective on Pride
[38:02] - Defining Pride
[39:21] - Pride as Self-Throning
[40:24] - The Fall of Satan
[41:23] - Adam and Eve's Disobedience
[43:07] - The Dangers of Pride
[45:43] - Identifying Pride in Our Lives
[49:48] - The Danger of Self-Reliance
[52:42] - Embracing Humility
[54:57] - The Call to Surrender
[64:18] - Communion and Reflection
[70:36] - Closing Prayer and Song

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Proverbs 16:18, what is the consequence of pride? How does this align with the sermon’s message about the dangers of pride? [37:25]
In Philippians 2:1-11, how did Jesus demonstrate humility? What specific actions did He take that exemplify this trait? [54:00]
James 4:6-10 mentions that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. What steps does James suggest we take to humble ourselves before God? [59:16]
The sermon mentioned that pride can manifest in subtle ways. What are some examples given in the sermon of how pride can subtly show up in our lives? [45:43]

Interpretation Questions

Why is pride considered the root of all other sins according to the sermon? How does this understanding impact our view of other sins? [36:02]
How does the example of Jesus in Philippians 2:1-11 challenge our natural inclinations towards pride and self-reliance? [54:00]
The sermon highlighted the danger of self-reliance as a form of pride. Why is self-reliance particularly dangerous to our spiritual health? [49:48]
How does taking communion serve as a reminder to combat pride and elevate Christ in our lives, as mentioned in the sermon? [01:04:18]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when pride led to a negative outcome in your life. How could embracing humility have changed the situation? [37:25]
In what areas of your life do you find it most challenging to surrender control to God? How can you take steps this week to bring those areas under His authority? [56:49]
The sermon mentioned that pride can manifest as a judgmental attitude. How can you actively work to replace judgment with compassion in your daily interactions? [47:59]
Identify a specific way you can practice humility in your relationships this week. How can you follow the example of Jesus in Philippians 2:1-11 in these interactions? [54:00]
The sermon discussed the importance of recognizing and repenting of pride during communion. How can you make your next communion experience more meaningful by focusing on this aspect? [01:04:18]
How can you cultivate a habit of seeking God’s guidance in your decisions rather than relying on your own understanding? What practical steps can you take to make this a regular practice? [49:48]
Think of a person in your life who exemplifies humility. What specific traits or actions do they display that you can learn from and incorporate into your own life? [54:00]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Pride is putting yourself on the throne of your life. And the reason that that is so deadly, the reason that this is something that we need to be careful of as Christians, as followers of Christ, is because the idea of putting yourself on the throne of your own life is directly in contrast to what Scripture calls us to. The Bible calls us to lay ourselves down, to put Christ and elevate Christ in our life, on the throne of our life, not ourselves." [39:21] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The Christian life is about bringing everything under the authority of Christ. Everything? Everything. But here's the problem. We like to do Christianity a la carte. I'll give you Jesus this part of my life. I'll give you this, but you can't have this. As I was studying this week, there was a story back in medieval times when the knights would get baptized because they had to be baptized into the church. When they get baptized, they would, they would be baptized, but what they would do is they would hold their sword up out of the water in a sense saying, okay, you can have me, God, except for this." [57:21] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The way that we fight pride is we run to Jesus and we bring everything under the authority of Christ. We say Jesus is not me. It's you. This is the call of every Christian. It's not to be comfortable. It's not the cherry on top in your life. It is a call to deny yourself. To die to yourself. To bring it under Christ. To kill pride. To choose Jesus. And then in doing so allow Him to elevate us so that God may be glorified in our life." [01:02:41] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Pride tells us to seek after to elevate ourself. And in doing so leads us into destruction leads us into losing our life. Spiritual death and sometimes even physical. But when we lose our life in Christ when we surrender when we deny ourselves we give our life to Christ we are given real life. John 10.10 says the thief's purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy but I have come that you may have life and life to the full. In Christ when we deny ourselves when we die to ourselves we actually find life and we are elevated with Christ." [01:06:54] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We are called to have the same attitude as Christ. When we humble ourselves, we step into that calling that God has for us to have that attitude of Christ. Pride is telling us elevate yourself, lift yourself up, make yourself the leader and in charge of your own life. But God's word says, no, take the attitude of Christ, humble yourselves and in doing so, when we wrap ourselves up in our identity in Christ, when we're with God and we say, Jesus, you're the leader of my life, we are actually elevated with God or elevated with Christ so that God may be glorified." [54:57] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Pride is dangerous to our spiritual life. It's dangerous to our physical life. It's dangerous to our life as a whole because it separates us from God. It drives this wedge between us and our relationship with God and it's so deadly because we need God in our life. We're dependent on God in our life and we see all throughout the Genesis narrative constantly sin and pride is driving this wedge between us and God." [43:07] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "When we place ourselves, here's the thing. When we say I am on the throne of my own life, when I'm the leader of my own life, what happens is is now our joy, our pleasure, our wants, our needs become the most important thing. And so we become willing to do whatever it takes whatever is important to us to get pleasure, to get joy, to get what we want and so we seek after it in our life and it leads us down a path of other sins. I don't have that so I'm just going to take it. I don't like this so I'm just going to lie about this. I don't want to feel this way so I'm just going to avoid that." [43:56] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The ultimate danger of pride in the life of a Christian. Again, pride says, do it on your own. You don't need anything. You're the king of your own life. And the problem with this is it flies in direct contradiction to everything the Bible teaches. To be a follower of Christ, if we say, I want to be a follower of Christ, at the most basic core tenet of the belief is surrendering our throne to God. It's saying, it's not about me. It's not about me. It's about God through me, in me, using me." [55:36] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The greatest idol that we wrestle with in our world today is not Baal. It's not Molech. It's you. It's you. It's me. It's us. We are the greatest idols in our life. And that comes from pride. And so the question is if pride leads us down a path of destruction, the only way out is what? It's complete surrender to Jesus. It's bringing everything under the authority of Christ. And so the question is have we done that in every area of our life? Or are we beginning to do that in every area of our life? Because let's be honest. It's a journey." [01:01:31] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The way that we spend our time. Are we bringing our driving under the authority of Christ and saying not me but you God. I want to live the way that you've called me to. The way that we fight pride is we run to Jesus and we bring everything under the authority of Christ. We say Jesus is not me. It's you. This is the call of every Christian. It's not to be comfortable. It's not the cherry on top in your life. It is a call to deny yourself. To die to yourself. To bring it under Christ. To kill pride. To choose Jesus. And then in doing so allow Him to elevate us so that God may be glorified in our life." [01:02:41] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?