The Destructiveness of Pride

To say that pride is subtle is an understatement. It's much more cunning than that.

Pride can be likened to an undetected virus that enters your bloodstream and causes underlying changes in character so deceptive that the afflicted person begins to believe his egocentricity is a blessing to those he encounters and any opposing thought is wrong.

Take David, for example. Having seen Bathsheba, he makes decisions that pave the way for him to marry her, which include sending her husband to the battle front where chances of survival were almost nil. It was akin to sending him to his death, but with the reason he died in battle so David would not be accused of murder.

But murder he did commit! It took Nathan the prophet to let David see that. And yet, when Nathan allegorically told him about a man who used his power to oppress another, David even demanded to know who it was, not realizing it was him being alluded to until Nathan pointedly said, "It is you!"

Pride can be that way. It makes you believe you're right. It makes you believe you're superior. Thus, it makes you believe your decisions should take supremacy over all regardless who gets hurt. All along you believe that nothing about you has changed.

The good thing with David is he realized what he did and repented before God. He was forgiven but he still had to suffer the consequences of his prideful action.

It says in the Bible, "Pride gos before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall" (Prov. 16:18 NLT). And: "But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted" (Matt. 23:12 NLT).

You don't even have to be a Christian to know what pride can do. A widely-used quote states, "Those whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make proud."

So how do you protect yourself from pride rearing up its ugly head before it's too late?

Examine yourself in the light of God's word. "God's word is living and active. It is sharper than any two-edged sword and cuts as deep as the place where soul and spirit meet, the place where joints and marrow meet. God's word judges a person's thoughts and intentions" (Hebrews 4:12 GW).

This is how David puts it as translated in the New Living Translation: "Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me, test my motives and affections" (Psalm 26:2 NLT).

We open ourselves to Biblical scrutiny when we desire to live by its precepts. The more we get deeper into God's word, the more constant and continuous is our self-examination. Humility is then sought after, pride is exposed and Christ-likeness becomes the motive.