By: Avwokpeta, Esivwe
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Prelude
Daniel 4:29-30 – 29 At the end of the twelve months he was walking [a]about the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?”
Acts 12:21-23 – 21 So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. 22 And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” 23 Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.
…I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power and the honour of my majesty Nebuchadnezzar
…and the assembled people shouted, it is the voice of god and not man – Herod
The problem with the statement of these men was based on self- recognition instead of God-recognition.
There is this inner urge in man to display one’s own worth and value before others in order to gain praise, respect, glory, and command. Little did they know that, this urge is borne out of the spirit of pride. According to one writer Wyyne Mark, he said and I quote, “pride consist in attributing to ourselves the honour, privileges, rights and power that are due to God alone”.
Pride at it’s peak, is idolatry to self.
Let us ask ourselves few questions.
✓Do I brag about myself a lot?
✓Do I often refuse help from others because they don’t worth helping me?
✓Have I acted like I’m better than someone?
✓Do I feel like being worshipped for my generosity and possession?
✓How is my reaction as a husband or wife when I’m told what is right?
✓Do I intimidate others with my position and influence?
✓Am I struggling with pride, ego and arrogance?
If you don’t deal with this monster with bible truth, it has the potence to deal with you. So how can we deal with pride?
#1. Remember that Pride will always Lead to a Fall – Prov. 16:18, Isa. 2:12, 1 Cor. 10:12
One of the biggest ships in the world called Titanic was built and adored by so many at its time. It was received that the chief designer, Thomas Andrew, the captain, shipyard worker, and others made similar statement and what was the statement? “That God Himself could not sink the ship”.
In April 15,1912 just the first time the ship voyages the sea, it crashed with a massive Iceberg, sank and over 1500 people on board died in the North Atlantic Ocean. Prov. 26:12.
#2. Apply Biblical Dissonance
Our resource person Min. Adegoroye in the just concluded youth leadership gave a strong hint on how to overcome addiction. In his illustration, a man took a lady to an hotel. Before the intended canal affair, the lady went to shower. The man was prompted to check her bag and behold alongside with other things, he saw an HIV prescription management card that revealed that this lady is an HIV patient, immediately the man’s urge for sex vanished and that was how he left the lady. The card became a dissonance or barrier. (Dissonance in the context of our discussion is an instance of disagreement) two things walking in adherence.
So, in dealing with pride read meditatively and keep scripture handing like Gen. 2:7 and James 4:13-14.
Whenever you are tempted to be proud, quickly use these biblical truths. Someone asked the question, “do you know who I am? and the response was, you are just a dust…”
#3. Esteem Others Better Than You Are
This may be tough but it is very effective to deal with pride. Phil. 2: 3-4, Rom. 12: 10. According to a philosopher Socrate, he said, and I quote, “true wisdom is knowing you know nothing.”
#4. Be Thankful for God’s gifts and privileges – 2 Samuel 7:18,1 Corinth.4:7, Ecclesiastes 9:11
The rich fool died because he ungrateful to God and attributed the glory to himself instead of thanking God who granted him the privilege.
Conclusion
We have reviewed some few tips on how we can deal with this monster pride. God detest it and we must avoid it by all means in order to escape the wrath of God almighty.
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