Freedom Calls

As a child of the one true God, saved by the unmerited favor of His Grace and the unwavering faith in Jesus Christ, I am reminded of the insidious nature of pride. It is a subtle yet potent enemy that seeks to undermine our relationship with our Creator and distort our understanding of His sovereignty.

Let’s explore the concept of pride, its manifestations, and the dangers it poses to our spiritual well-being.

According to the scriptures, pride is an abomination to God (Proverbs 16:5). It is a declaration of independence from our Maker, a statement that says, “I am responsible for the good things in my life.”

However, this assertion is in direct conflict with the Word of God, which declares, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24 NIV).

This verse reminds us that our salvation is a gift from God, and our accomplishments are but a manifestation of His grace in our lives.

Charles Spurgeon, in his sermon “Pride and Humility,” notes,

“Pride is a poison which is fatal to the soul. It is a cancer which eats into the very vitals of our being, and destroys all that is good and gracious within us.”

He goes on to say,

“Pride is a declaration of war against God, a defiance of His authority, and a rejection of His mercy.”

CS Lewis, in his book “Mere Christianity,” writes, “According to Christian teachers, the essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere fleabites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind.”

AW Tozer, in his book “The Pursuit of God,” states, “Pride is a sinful and destructive thing, and yet it is so subtle and so often masquerades as something else that we may not even recognize it in ourselves.” He goes on to say, “The proud man is not likely to be aware of his pride, for he is too proud to see it.”

Watchman Nee, in his book “The Normal Christian Life,” notes, “Pride is not merely a matter of outward behavior, but an inward attitude. It is not just a question of what we do, but of what we are.” He emphasizes that pride is a fundamental aspect of the fallen human nature and that it can only be overcome by the power of the cross.

DL Moody, in his sermon “The Danger of Pride,” warns, “Pride is a great stumbling block to many. It has ruined more souls than any other sin. It is a sin that is most difficult to get rid of, and it is a sin that will shut many out of heaven.”

Pride is a human telling a God who sacrificed His only begotten Son for their sin that they are responsible for the good things in their life. It is a declaration of independence from our Maker, a rejection of His authority, and a distortion of His sovereignty.

As children of God, we must be aware of the dangers of pride and seek to cultivate humility in our lives.

We must recognize that our accomplishments are but a manifestation of God’s grace and that our salvation is a gift from Him.

References:

* John 5:24 NIV

* Proverbs 16:5 NIV

* 1 Peter 5:5 NIV

* “Pride and Humility” by Charles Spurgeon

* “Mere Christianity” by CS Lewis

* “The Pursuit of God” by AW Tozer

* “The Normal Christian Life” by Watchman Nee

* “The Danger of Pride” by DL Moody