The Dangerous Deceiver
If you think you are somebody too important to stoop down to help another (when really you are not), you are living in deception. Galatians 6:3 (The Passion Translation, TPT)
The Bible warns us against pride. Pride is a very subtle, yet very dangerous deceiver. It can creep in and influence our lives quite easily if we do not keep our guard up. The most dangerous thing about pride may well be the fact that those who are in pride are so convinced that they are not. Pride causes us to overestimate ourselves and that can lead to big trouble.
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Romans 12:3 (New Living Translation, NLT)
Pride gives people an arrogance; an inflated sense of importance. We can be influenced by pride in our overall lives, or we can be prideful just in a specific area. There are even some people who are prideful about being humble! False humility is simply a form of pride- it’s a sneaky form of pride that puffs someone up because they believe they are putting others first in what they do. Sometimes it is referred to as a martyr complex. It says, “Look at me and how much I am giving up and sacrificing for others. Look how low I have made myself!”
Paul tells us all to conduct an honest evalauation of ourselves. If there is any area of our lives in which we believe we are excelling, we should take a close look to make sure no pride is involved. That does not mean we should beat ourselves up and discredit the good things we do or the positive aspects of ourselves. An honest evaluation is just that- honest. Ask Holy Spirit to show you any areas in which pride is trying to get in or has already gotten in. Then repent of it. It’s that simple. And if, in your pride, you insulted or treated someone else wrongly, go to them and ask their forgiveness. That is true humility- to take responsibility for a wrong you’ve committed and to make it right.
Pride is very dangerous because, when pride gets in, it can blind us to its very presence. Therefore, it is so important to stay constantly on guard for it. Every single day we should go to the Lord and ask Him to point out any pride we may have so we can repent of it and get rid of it. The devil, who stood in the very presence of God, was ruined by pride. Don’t think it cannot happen to you.
If anyone respects and fears God, he will hate evil. For wisdom hates pride, arrogance, corruption, and deceit of every kind. Proverbs 8:13 (Living Bible, TLB)
Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 (Holman Christian Standard Bible, HCSB)
