• cheat instead of lose
• lie about your past
• need the final word
• buy things to impress people who aren ’ t even paying attention to you
• exaggerate the truth to impress others
• think about yourself all the time
• surround yourself with those who agree with instead of challenge you
• carefully craft a reputation that isn ’ t real
Did any of those statements ring true for you ? Did they describe the way you act , think , or feel ? Have you seen any of those behaviors creeping into your life ?
It is astounding how many different ways pride can damage areas of our lives . It ’ s no wonder that it is listed in Proverbs 6:17 as one of the top seven deadliest sins .
The famous story of Jesus going into the wilderness to pray and fast for forty days is
found in Matthew 4:1 – 11 . It is during that time that the devil visits him and tempts him in three specific ways . At the root of all these temptations is pride . For the first two , the enemy starts with this phrase : “ If you are the Son of God ” ( vv . 3 , 6 ). He is attacking Jesus ’ authority , status , and position . Then , on the third temptation , he takes Jesus to a high mountain and says to him , “ This could all be yours , if you would bow down and worship me ” ( see v . 9 ). Again , an attack of pride : he tempts Jesus to give in by luring him with worldly achievements , accolades , and honor .
Jesus resists the temptations and successfully completes his forty days of prayer and fasting . In the next chapter in Matthew , Jesus gives the Sermon on the Mount . These are his opening remarks : “ Blessed are the poor in spirit , for theirs is the kingdom of heaven ” ( Matt . 5:3 NIV ). He is not referring to being poor financially but is actually speaking against pride . He is challenging us to walk in a spirit of humility and avoid pride in our lives .
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