Most Christians know that God hates pride. We can quote Bible verses such as, “Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). We can point out that the “pride of life” is one of the three areas of temptation in the world (I John 2:16). We know that God hates a proud look (Proverbs 6:16). Most also know that Satan fell because of pride (Isaiah 14:12-15).
However, have you considered why God hates pride? First, pride causes us to exalt ourselves and take for something that God has done. Pride will cause us to make ourselves a god, which is a violation of the Ten Commandments, as well as an abomination before God. Additionally, pride inhibits our faith.
How does pride inhibit our faith? Pride inhibits our faith because it causes us to trust in our own selves and abilities rather than God. As long as we think we can do something, why do we need faith in God? Faith is based upon dependence on God, while pride is based upon dependence on self. We see that pride and faith are actually at odds with each other. The carnal man is particularly vulnerable to pride because the carnal mind is at odds with God (Romans 8:6). Since the carnal mind is at odds with God, it can’t have faith in Him either.
Pride creates a stronghold for the enemy because pride will prevent us from admitting a need or weakness, prevent us from having faith, and create reasons within us why we should continue to depend upon ourselves. Pride causes us to create a myth about ourselves, which becomes an idol that we worship.
What is the answer? The answer is to be filled with the Holy Spirit of the Lord, to humble ourselves under the hand of the Lord, and to stay connected to the Lord Jesus (Ephesians 5:18, I Peter 5:6, John 15:1-7). Let us learn to depend upon the Lord so that we can walk in faith. Without faith we can’t please him (Hebrews 11:6).
