Pride- Stopping The Blessings Of God

Introduction

· This week we are going to talk about pride. We are going to discover what effects it has on our lives and how the devil uses this as a weapon against the Christian.

· Pride stops the blessing of God from flowing in our lives.

· A prideful person is one that refuses to submit to God. He or she trusts in their abilities, talents and ways more than God.

· The pride of life will ultimately be the cause of your downfall.

· As Christians, we must trust God and replace our will with His will for your life.

· Let us look to the Word of God for wisdom this morning regarding pride.

A. Pride looks to self instead of God.

1. Pride is a selfish act and stops the flow of blessings from God.

2. God hates pride.

(AMP) Proverbs 8 13The reverent fear and worshipful awe of the Lord [includes] the hatred of evil; pride, arrogance, the evil way, and perverted and twisted speech I hate.

3. God distances Himself from the proud person.

(NKJV) Psalm 138 6 Though the LORD is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar.

4. God resists the proud (James 4:6).

5. The wicked do not seek God because of their pride.

a. Pharaoh was full of pride.

(NKJV) Exodus 5 2 And Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go.”

B. The thoughts, plans and will of man should be that of the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and depart from evil. (Proverbs 3:7).

2. Plans that oppose God’s plans are evil.

a. Prideful thinking opposes God’s Word.

b. You should never think of yourself higher than you really are. (Romans 12:3).

3. We must keep our thinking in line with the Word of God.

a. Men should not exalt their own thoughts above what is written in the Word.

(AMP) 1 Corinthians 4 6 Now I have applied all this [about parties and factions] to myself and Apollos for your sakes, brethren, so that from what I have said of us [as illustrations], you may learn [to think of men in accordance with Scripture and] not to go beyond that which is written, that none of you may be puffed up and inflated with pride and boast in favor of one [minister and teacher] against another.

b. The prideful person is really ignorant of the truth.

C. A prideful person may find enjoyment for a season, but ultimately will be exposed and will be brought down.

1. Satan was cast down from Heaven because he wanted to do things his way instead of God’s way.

2. God will bring down the prideful person (Isaiah 25:11).

3. Operating in pride will eventually result in shame, destruction and great loss. Pride will deceive you.

D. God will establish you when you trust in Him and His Word.

1. Make God’s plans your plans, His thoughts your thoughts, His will your will.

2. You will have great success when you do things God’s way.

3. God will establish you in His Word.

a. With God’s plan, the end is better than the beginning.

(NKJV) Ecclesiastes 7 8 The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit

4. Humility is a way to get rid of pride.

(NKJV) James 4 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

5. Live a directed, not a driven life.

6. Be conformable, not comfortable.

Conclusion

· The pride of life comes with a big fall. It is best to be found humble and about our Fathers business.

· Pride places blinders on a person. They are lead astray by their own thoughts that they do not need God. They are spiritual lost.

· God resist the pride.

· When we seek God 1st, die to self, do the will of God, we set our self up for great success.

· We must establish the Word in our hearts today.

· Let’s live a life that is directed by God and not driven by man.

· Let’s live a life that we conform to the things of God and not get comfortable in our Christianity.

· Let us pray!

Salvation Call/ Altar Call