1 Peter 5:1-10 and James 4:6-10 talk of spiritual conflict that follows any expression of pride. Where we do not deny ourselves, we give ground to the enemy. Our battle is not in the earthly realm, but by using faith in the spiritual realm.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you (James 4:7-8).
If you don’ resist, he doesn’t have to go. Or if you pull the covers over your head and say “O God do something about this”, the evil spirits don’t have to leave. Resisting is your responsibility based on authority you possess in Christ.
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18). The bigger the ego, the harder the fall.
Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).
A life tuned to the melody of grace that I claim I believe is the life that is destined for me. Doing good, being like Christ Jesus, is the answer to any opposition, cynicism, or persecution.
Pride makes us lonely creatures. We are meant to display God’s graces.
Father, Your Word says that You hate a proud look (Proverbs 6:16-17), that You resist the proud but give grace to the humble (James 4:6). Your Word tells me a proud heart is sin (Proverbs 21:4) and that pride goes before destruction (Proverbs 16:18), but humility ends in honor (Proverbs 18:12) and the meek become wise (Proverbs 11:2).
What do we have that has not been given to us from our Father in the first place?
I have learned from Your Word that pride leads to arguments (Proverbs 13:10); that he who is of a proud heart stirs up strife (Proverbs 28:25). Pride ends in a fall (Proverbs 29:23). Pride for this life is not of the Father (1 John 2:16), for You, Father, are Love, and love is patient and kind; it is not proud (1 Corinthians 13:4). As Nebuchadnezzar showed us, those who walk in pride You are able to abase (Daniel 4:37).
You tell me to not be proud, to not be conceited (Romans 12:16). According to Your Word, pride is in the company of “thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, and foolishness” (Mark 7:22). In such company, I so want to refrain from conceit and pride (Psalm 101:5).
You mock mockers, but give Your grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34). So I humble myself before You (Proverbs 6:3), asking Your forgiveness and mercy that I may once more rejoice in You (Isaiah 29:19). This is the one You esteem: “he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at My Word “(Isaiah 66:2). So I come to seek righteousness and humility, that I may be sheltered on the day of Your anger (Zephaniah 2:3). What have You ever required of me but to act justly, show mercy, and walk humbly with You? (Micah 6:8)
You tell us to be completely humble and gentle (Ephesians 4:2). So, I submit myself therefore to You, my God (James 4:7). Hezekiah humbled himself because of the pride of his heart (2 Chronicles 32:26) and so I come to do the same, humbling myself before You (Exodus 10:3). I willingly humble myself before You, Lord, knowing You will lift me up (James 4:10).
You guide the humble in what is right and teach them Your ways (Psalm 25:9). You sustain the humble (Psalm 147:6) and crown them with Your salvation (149:4). So, I humble myself under Your mighty hand, O my Lord (1 Peter 5:6). As an act of faith, I clothe myself with humility and happily receive Your grace (1 Peter 5:5). With Your Spirit guiding me: I refuse to exalt myself; I will not think of myself more highly than I ought; I will not have an exaggerated opinion of my own importance, but I will rate my ability with sober judgment, according to the degree of faith You appointed to me (Romans 12:3).
Father, thank You that You dwell with him who is of a contrite and humble spirit. You receive the spirit of the humble and revive the heart of the contrite (Isaiah 57:15). Thank You that the reward of humility and the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life (Proverbs 22:4). With Your graces, O my Father, I will strive to be compassionate and humble (1 Peter 3:8).
I will humbly accept this word that has been planted in me (James 1:21). Please let Your Spirit guide me to resist pride when it comes.
God's Word on That 