2. Introduction Pride is used in our society as a good thing (country, job, family, charity, awards, etc.) but in the Scriptures it is always bad and leads to destruction (Pr. 16:18). God hates the prideful and arrogant (Pr. 8:13) But the danger is that it is hard to detect in ourselves and may seem minor to us compared to other sins (cf. Pr. 14:12). Let us examine ourselves by the Bible and make application to our lives (1 Thess. 5:21-22).

3. Pride Hardens the Heart against God Jesus warned that the sin of pride (along with many other sins) proceeds from within the heart and defiles the person (Mark 7:21-23). Pharaoh chose to harden his heart and refused to let God’s people go (Ex. 8:8,15,32; 9:16-17). Jesus exposed the hypocritical and hardened hearts of the Pharisees (Mt. 23:27-28). Even the righteous King Hezekiah succumbed to temptation to this sin (2 Chr. 32:25).

4. Pride Destroys Humility The prideful person thinks too highly of himself and is wise in his own opinion which destroys the humility he should have (Rom. 12:3, 16). He trusts in himself that he is righteous and views others beneath him with contempt. (Luke 18:9ff) He doesn’t put others first but thinks of how it will benefit me instead (Phil. 2:3ff). “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).

5. Pride Destroys Godly Sorrow for Sin The Corinthians had the godly sorrow that led them to repentance (2 Cor. 7:10), but the prideful person is sorrow that he got caught. He has a hard time admitting sin and asking for forgiveness (1 John 1:8, 10; Pr. 28:13). He is often harsh with others, which stirs up anger, and lays heavy burdens on others to bear (Pr. 15:3; Matt. 23:4). God has only promised to be with the one of a contrite and humble spirit. (Isaiah 57:15)

6. Pride Destroys Generosity The prideful who are rich generally will hoard their riches in their haughtiness instead of sharing it with others as God has graciously given to them (1 Tim. 6:17-19). Instead of being content and happy, they are ungrateful and miserable (1 Tim. 6:6-10). So they continue in their pursuit of pleasure instead of helping others while they may appear to be righteous before others. (2 Tim. 3:1-5; Titus 2:16)

7. Pride Destroys Souls “What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26) Even if you don’t realize that you have a problem with pride now, your sin will be exposed on the Judgment Day (1 Tim. 5:25; Rom. 2:5). “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted”. (Luke 18:14)

8. Conclusion Satan may not be able to tempt you to murder, but if he can get you to be prideful, you will suffer the same fate they will (Pr. 16:18). You can overcome the sin of pride but you must humble yourself (2 Chr. 32:26; 1 Cor. 10:13). Pride may be preventing you from obeying the Lord like Naaman for a time (2 Kgs. 5:11-12). Have the godly sorrow that you will lead you to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:38) or be restored!