Pride (Part 3 of 4) - The DO's and DON'T's of Pride

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. Proverbs 3:7, 8

A wise man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident. Proverbs 14:16

Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the placed of the great; for it is better that he say to you, “come up here,” than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen. Proverbs 25:6,7

It is not good to eat much honey; so to seek one’s own glory is not glory. Proverbs 25:27

As we have seen, the heart of pride is idolatry. This idolatry can be external (other gods) or internal (ourselves). In both cases the worshiper must by nature look to his gods for provision and in return provide adoration. If the god is ourselves, then we will be puffed up, exalting ourselves and seeking our own glory – all the DON’TS in the passages above. If we are the “source” of strength and provision, then we will be self-confident and necessarily be ready to rage against any that would diminish our perceived position of power. Do I puff and spew when I don’t get my way? Am I offended when I’m not honored before my peers? What would my friends say about me in private? Do I dare ask them?

The antidote to this is the “fear of the Lord.” This is the chief “DO” command and the ultimate fix for pride. Just recognizing that we are in the presence of THE KING, we will humbled. How do we cultivate fearing the Lord? We can practice daily by acknowledging in thankfulness His provision in everything we see and experience. From the mundane of brown dirt that brings forth life to the glory of union with our spouse, we can exercise giving thanks in all circumstances.

For the kings of Israel, Deuteronomy 17:14-20 outlines the principles for just rule. Specifically, the king was to write of copy of the law in a book for himself. This book was to be read “all the days of his life” with the result that he would “learn to fear the Lord his God” and that “his heart may not be lifted above his brethren.”

Finally, you should pray. In Psalm 86:11-12, David asks that God would “unite my heart to fear Your name.” Our marching instructions are clear in this battle with pride: ask God to unite your heart to fear Him, meditate on His law daily, and give thanks.