Overcoming Pride: Embracing Humility and Dependence on God
Summary
In our time together, we explored the theme of pride and its impact on our lives. Pride is a formidable adversary, often lurking unseen, much like a lioness in tall grass. It can tear apart families, derail careers, and stifle personal growth. The key to overcoming pride is humility, as emphasized in 1 Peter 5:5-7. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humility is not about thinking less of ourselves but about recognizing our dependence on God and others.
We must learn to humble ourselves under God's mighty hand, trusting that He will lift us up in due time. This requires us to let go of our prideful tendencies, such as refusing to seek help or holding onto unforgiveness. Pride can manifest in various ways, including an unwillingness to accept feedback or a reluctance to submit to authority. It can even disguise itself as self-reliance, where we believe we can handle everything on our own without God's guidance.
The story of Pharaoh and Moses illustrates the contrast between pride and humility. Pharaoh's pride led to his downfall, while Moses' humility allowed him to fulfill God's purpose. Sometimes, God allows us to face rejection or failure to teach us humility and reliance on Him. We must be willing to ask for what we need, even if it means facing multiple rejections, trusting that God's timing is perfect.
To tame pride, we need to make three moves and adopt one attitude. First, we must recognize that pride is often invisible to us, requiring us to seek God's help in identifying it. Second, we must stay low, embracing humility and avoiding the temptation to elevate ourselves prematurely. Third, we must adopt an attitude of indifference to others' opinions when they conflict with God's will for our lives. Finally, we must remember that God is preparing us for a move, and our elevation will come when we align our humility with His purpose.
Key Takeaways:
1. Pride's Destructive Nature: Pride can silently destroy relationships, careers, and personal growth. It often hides in our hearts, making it difficult to recognize without God's help. We must actively seek humility to counteract pride's influence. [03:14]
2. Humility and God's Timing: Humility is essential for aligning with God's timing. We may face delays in our advancement, but these are opportunities for growth. God's elevation comes when our humility matches our abilities. [04:26]
3. The Role of Rejection: Rejection can be a tool God uses to teach us humility. Like Moses, we may need to persist through multiple rejections to learn reliance on God's word rather than human approval. [12:57]
4. Invisible Pride: Pride often hides in our hearts, making it difficult to see. We must ask God to reveal it to us, as relying solely on our perception can lead to self-deception. [15:29]
5. Dependence on God: True humility involves recognizing our dependence on God. When we say "I can't," we open the door for God's power to work in our lives, transforming our weaknesses into strengths. [23:46]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:11] - The Cost of Moving
[03:14] - Pride: A Hidden Beast
[04:26] - Humility and God's Timing
[05:46] - Standing Firm in Faith
[06:30] - God's Restoration Promise
[08:00] - The Challenge of Pride
[09:13] - Unforgiveness and Pride
[10:58] - Pharaoh vs. Moses: Pride vs. Humility
[12:57] - Learning from Rejection
[14:05] - Three Moves to Tame Pride
[15:29] - The Invisible Nature of Pride
[16:37] - Authority and Submission
[18:45] - The Danger of Self-Reliance
[21:48] - The Power of Humility
[23:46] - Dependence on God
[25:01] - Pride in Adversity
[27:53] - Casting Cares on God
[28:37] - Moving Forward in Humility
[31:17] - The Role of Failure
[32:55] - Trusting God's Plan
[34:10] - Boasting in the Lord
[36:54] - Invitation to the Altar
[37:54] - Moving Forward in Faith
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Peter 5:5-7
2. Romans 12:3
3. Jeremiah 17:9
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 Peter 5:5-7, what is the relationship between humility and God's timing? How does this passage describe the consequences of pride? [04:26]
2. In the sermon, how is pride compared to a lioness, and what are the implications of this metaphor for our personal lives? [03:14]
3. What examples from the sermon illustrate how pride can manifest in our daily lives, such as in relationships or career decisions? [08:00]
4. How does the story of Pharaoh and Moses serve as a contrast between pride and humility, according to the sermon? [10:58]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of humility in 1 Peter 5:5-7 challenge common societal views on self-reliance and independence? [04:26]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the role of rejection in teaching us humility and reliance on God? How can this be applied to personal experiences of rejection? [12:57]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that pride can be invisible to us, and how can we seek God's help in identifying it? [15:29]
4. How does the sermon interpret the idea of "staying low" in the context of humility and pride? What practical steps can be taken to embrace this attitude? [14:05]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where pride may have influenced your actions or decisions. How could embracing humility have changed the outcome? [08:00]
2. Consider a time when you faced rejection. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now, knowing that rejection can be a tool for learning humility? [12:57]
3. Identify an area in your life where you tend to rely on your own strength rather than seeking God's guidance. What steps can you take to shift this reliance? [16:37]
4. Think about a relationship in your life that has been affected by pride. What specific actions can you take to restore humility and healing in that relationship? [09:13]
5. How can you practice "staying low" in your daily life, especially in situations where you feel the need to assert yourself or prove your worth? [14:05]
6. Reflect on the idea of being indifferent to others' opinions when they conflict with God's will. How can you cultivate this attitude in your life? [14:42]
7. What practical steps can you take this week to cast your cares on God, as encouraged in 1 Peter 5:7, and trust in His care for you? [28:37]
Devotional
Day 1: The Silent Destruction of Pride
Pride is a silent force that can destroy relationships, careers, and personal growth. It often hides in our hearts, making it difficult to recognize without divine intervention. Pride can manifest in various ways, such as an unwillingness to accept feedback, a reluctance to submit to authority, or a false sense of self-reliance. These manifestations can lead to isolation and hinder our ability to grow and connect with others. To counteract pride's influence, we must actively seek humility, which involves recognizing our dependence on God and others. By doing so, we open ourselves to grace and the possibility of transformation. [03:14]
"Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him." (Proverbs 26:12, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a recent situation where pride may have influenced your actions or decisions. How can you invite God to help you see and address this pride today?
Day 2: Aligning with God's Timing through Humility
Humility is essential for aligning with God's timing. Often, we may face delays in our advancement, but these are opportunities for growth and preparation. God's elevation comes when our humility matches our abilities, allowing us to fulfill His purpose effectively. Embracing humility means trusting in God's timing and being patient as He works in our lives. It requires letting go of our prideful tendencies, such as the need for immediate recognition or success, and instead focusing on developing our character and deepening our relationship with God. [04:26]
"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 14:11, ESV)
Reflection: Consider an area in your life where you are eager for advancement. How can you practice humility and patience as you wait for God's perfect timing?
Day 3: Learning Humility through Rejection
Rejection can be a tool God uses to teach us humility and reliance on Him. Like Moses, we may need to persist through multiple rejections to learn to depend on God's word rather than human approval. Rejection can be painful, but it also provides an opportunity to grow in faith and character. By embracing rejection as a learning experience, we can develop resilience and a deeper trust in God's plan for our lives. This perspective allows us to see rejection not as a failure but as a stepping stone toward fulfilling our God-given purpose. [12:57]
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent rejection you experienced. How can you view this situation as an opportunity to grow in humility and reliance on God?
Day 4: Unveiling the Invisible Nature of Pride
Pride often hides in our hearts, making it difficult to see. We must ask God to reveal it to us, as relying solely on our perception can lead to self-deception. Pride can disguise itself as self-reliance, where we believe we can handle everything on our own without God's guidance. By seeking God's help in identifying pride, we can begin to address it and cultivate humility. This process involves being open to feedback, willing to admit our weaknesses, and recognizing our need for God's strength and wisdom in our lives. [15:29]
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds." (Jeremiah 17:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: Ask God to reveal any hidden pride in your heart. What steps can you take today to address this pride and cultivate humility?
Day 5: Embracing Dependence on God
True humility involves recognizing our dependence on God. When we say "I can't," we open the door for God's power to work in our lives, transforming our weaknesses into strengths. This dependence allows us to experience God's grace and strength in ways we could never achieve on our own. By acknowledging our limitations and seeking God's guidance, we can navigate life's challenges with confidence and peace. Embracing dependence on God also means trusting in His plan and timing, even when it differs from our own desires or expectations. [23:46]
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you struggle with self-reliance. How can you invite God to work in this area and transform your weaknesses into strengths?
Quotes
1) "Moving is expensive. And before you rise, you have to tame your pride. The title for our time today is the pride. Pride is a beast. You thought your mouth was the problem. Pride is a gangster. I done seen pride tear up families. I didn't seen it stifle career advancement. I didn't seen pride derail the best of intentions. Because pride works just like a team of lionesses. It doesn't care about how big you are. Matter of fact, the bigger and the badder you are, the more powerful. Pride can bring you down. And if you don't learn how to tame it, it will tear your life apart. Pride will rob you of the feedback necessary for you to make the improvements necessary to become all that God has ordained you to be." [03:14] (68 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "Humble yourselves under the mighty power of God and at the right time. Nobody forgot about your promotion. God knows your delivery date, but it's not the right time. Because if I promote you, but you've not been humble, proportionate to your talent, the air of elevation will become toxic to everybody around you. So God has delayed your advancement to. But your humility has to match your ability. Okay, okay, okay. I'm sorry. Let me get back to the test. So at the right time, he will lift you wherever. In honor." [04:26] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "He will restore you. He will support you. He will strengthen you. And he's about to place you. He will restore you. He will support you. He will strengthen you. He's about to place you on a firm foundation. I don't care how shaky this season in life has been. I am telling you, God is preparing you for a move. And the reason you know that getting. Is shaking things up around you. Because it ain't already happened. I'm getting you ready for a move as you take your seat." [06:30] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "Maybe pride is refusing to get under the wisdom of somebody that can help you unlock. Okay, maybe pride for you looks a little different. You know, you should go to the doctor, but you got your little protein shake, and you're doctor, CB cmos, and you're. I'm good. Through a doctor who can check your labs. Now watch this. My wife, sitting on the front row, she said, you talking about yourself. I know. Cause I got cmos. And maybe pride for you is unforgiveness. Cause I be doggone, they disrespected me. And I am not forgiving them, because who do they think they are to talk to me like that?" [09:13] (68 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "And God says, I got a question. Who do you think you are to hold somebody prisoner when I have forgiven you and you forgot who I am? The problem with pride is that if you don't tame it, it will wreck you. Good. Get it out. You talking about yourself, pride? It's like Pharaoh. Let me tell y'all something. After the little snake, mustaf turned to the snake, and the second the little. To do for you when you stubborn is I got to bust your head. My question to you is, how long will you keep telling God no and you keep ignoring the trials. It's coincidental when it's providential. God says, I got a plan for your life. And I'm gonna keep coming until I break you. And you say yes." [10:58] (98 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "You better ask for what's yours ten times. On the 10th time, God says, I got it. I'm breaking them. And matter of fact, now that I broke them, they about to open up the bank and give you. They gonna restore. To break you off. Let me do this for you. So I got to give you three moves and one attitude. Three moves and one attitude. Y'all ready? Here's the first move. The first move that's going to help you tame your pride so you can rise. It's gonna come on the screen. What does it say? Because you cannot see pride with the naked eye." [14:05] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "And the way that pride works, it hides in your heart. And Jeremiah chapter 17, says that the heart is deceitfully wicked. So you can't see your pride with your eyes. In order to see your pride, you got to cry out like David did. Lord, test me and know me and see if there's any way in me that's not right. If you depend on your eyes, you will think you are something that you are not. And when God tests you, sometimes the test comes in allowing you to work overtime. Give them the best you got. And not only don't they appreciate it, they don't even tell you thank you. And you say, I don't know, bust my butt. And given all my energy to help. And God says, this is a pride test. That the real issue is not them overlooking you, but I let them overlook." [16:37] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "And the way that I oppose you is that even Satan works for me. The only reason why he can't get you, cause I got him on a leash. But if you don't submit yourself to authority, then I let the leash go. And the purpose of letting the leash. Nobody'S authority, and he ain't submitted to nobody's authority. Then the devil is on your back. Then God says, I'm going to break you back. You can't live your life and only answer to you. Let me talk to Zion Lando. They about to kick me out of Zion Greenbelt. Dondre, one of the ways you can tell whether you are submitted unto or under authority is how you respond to feedback. Agree with your foolishness. Go crazy, and the kids are buck wild. Season when they wild, the power of God is so good, they can run. But the authority of God can whip." [21:48] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9) "And I'm saying to myself, ain't nothing on this list sound fun? Like. I want to get drunk, I want. Is rejoice when I'm suffering. Everybody can get smacked. Everybody. I'm an equal opportunity smacker, Lord. But God says he gives grace to the humble to clothe yourself in humility. I don't want to get low because I don't like how it feels. Because they gonna think I'm a sucker, Lord. What I'm saying to you is that when you get low, you get close to power. Here's how it works. Don't get drunk. Don't go to parties. And you like, Lord, I can't." [23:46] (69 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10) "And God says, if you stay low, he says, my grace will be sufficient for you. Y'all remember Paul? Paul saw a vision from God that was so heavy, so rich, so good that God says, I sent you a little since you're a little one of them little imps, a thorn in your flesh to keep you humble. Because if not, what I'm showing you and where I'm taking you not only will blow your mind, it will puff you up. So you prayed three times to remove it. And God says, in two corinthians, chapter twelve, verse nine, he says, but my grace is sufficient for you. Cause my power is made perfect in weakness. Let me say it to you plain. When you say I can't, God says, that is the right time for my power. My grace is power. Lord, I can't. Lord, I can't say I'm sorry." [25:01] (91 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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