Understanding Pride

Pride is sneaky. It doesn't usually look like arrogance or boasting. More often it shows up as defensiveness, inability to admit fault, unteachability, or the subtle belief that you're better than others. Pride puts self at the center where God belongs. It resists correction, refuses help, and isolates us from both God and others.

Scripture says God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. That's not arbitrary; pride makes us unreachable.

How Pride Shows Up

• Defensiveness: Unable to receive correction or feedback
• Comparison: Constantly measuring against others
• Self-sufficiency: "I don't need help from anyone"
• Contempt: Looking down on others
• Credit-seeking: Needing recognition and praise
• Unteachability: Already knowing everything
• Blame-shifting: Never at fault

The proud man competes. The humble man serves. Pride asks "How do I look?" Humility asks "How can I help?" One builds walls. The other builds bridges. Choose carefully which you're constructing.

Fighting Pride

Acknowledge it: The first step is admitting pride is there.

Seek feedback: Ask others where they see pride in you.

Practice gratitude: Recognize what you didn't earn.

Serve others: Put yourself in low positions willingly.

Stay connected: Pride grows in isolation.

Remember reality: You are dust. And loved anyway.

Your Action Steps

This week: Ask someone close to you where they see pride in your life.

This month: Serve in a way that no one sees or acknowledges.

This quarter: Notice when defensiveness rises and ask what's underneath it.