Understanding Spiritual Warfare: Victory Through God's Presence, Prayer, and SurrenderSample

Conquering Pride

I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have as an ally more than God. And, I can’t think of anyone I’d hate to have opposing me more than God. I imagine you feel the same!

It might come as a surprise to find that one particular heart attitude can put God and you on opposing sides. James warns, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. So, humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:6-7, NLT).

The word “opposes” is a word picture from military language. It describes God arranging himself in battle formation against the proud. Clearly, God views pride as a major issue—and with good reason.

Pride was the voice that whispered in Eden when the serpent told Eve, “You will be like God” (Genesis 3:5, NLT), tempting her to exalt herself beyond the limits God had lovingly set. It was the same attitude that led Lucifer to start a war in heaven (Isaiah 14:12, Ezekiel 28:14-17). It is the temptation in all of us to put our desires and opinions above the truth of God’s Word, leading us towards our own rebellion against him.

Proverbs 16:18 warns us, “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall” (NLT). Pride blinds us to our dependence on God and leads us astray from the safety of obedience to his loving commands.

Here are a few signs that pride might be taking root in your heart:

• Self-reliance: trusting our own wisdom instead of seeking God's guidance.
• Inability to admit wrongs: justifying actions instead of confessing sins.
• Craving recognition: needing applause or validation to feel significant.
• Comparison and competition: measuring our worth by others' successes or failures.
• Critical spirit: harshly judging others while ignoring personal faults.
• Resistance to correction: bristling against feedback or instruction.

Pride is subtle because at first it can simply look like strength or confidence. The difference is the heart attitude. Strength and confidence can co-exist with submission to God; pride resists God’s help and insists on its own way.

Jesus gives us the model of a humble heart. Though fully God, he humbled himself, taking the form of a servant and obeying the Father all the way to the cross. In his humility, we see the path to new life, real freedom, and true greatness (Philippians 2:5-8).

If pride is growing in your heart, bring it to God. Repent and ask him to forgive you. Ask for the humility of Jesus to take root in your heart instead. Look for places where you can serve without recognition or reward, training your heart to serve out of humility rather than pride. Daily surrender to God’s will, asking him to lead you. Then, as your heart aligns with his, watch him lift you higher than you could ever lift yourself.

Reflection Questions

1. Where might pride be hiding in your heart? Do any of the warning signs listed apply to you?
2. What practical steps can you take today to walk in humility before God and others?