Very often, people who wrestle with pride will live their lives based on how “they feel” and expect everyone else to accommodate them and adapt to their moods.

And if others don’t adapt…. the moody and self indulgent person will either cut you off (punish you) or they will lecture you (to wear you down) until you give in to their “brilliant thinking”. (Also known as CONTROL!)

Pride is a heart-attitude that overflows into a person’s motivation, decision-making, and activities.  It’s a super deceiving evil, and can become treacherous and territorial.

Pride is at the root of nearly every problem we struggle with in the ministry of counseling!

The heart of pride is focused on “self.”

Prideful people believe that they “deserve better” than what life has brought them.  They become sorrowful, resentful, and even jealous of other people and their successes.

Pride breeds self pity, which is a big feeder for depression.

Two big characteristics of pride are independence and rebellion.  It shouldn’t be too difficult for us to understand why it’s this way.

The truth is, we all want our OWN WAY about things, and we usually will do almost anything to have it OUR WAY!  This deceptive sinful nature leads us to crave independence, and we rebel or rage at the thought of being under anyone’s control or authority.

“In his pride the wicked heart does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God,”   Psalm 10:4 (NIV)

In our hearts we say as Pharaoh did, “Who is the Lord that I should obey Him?”  Exodus 5:2.

The prideful person already thinks very highly of himself or herself!  People who are “marinated in pride” typically think so much of themselves that they believe the world should revolve around them!

The only thing important to prideful people is getting their needs filled.  It may be an emotional need, a desire for attention, or a resistance to conform to basic social standards in order to be seen as an individual.

Prideful people struggle with bitterness, revenge, conceit, self pity, a competitive nature, gossip, slander, shaming others, talking down to others and vanity.

They absolutely display a desire to be noticed, which is disguised as a false humility at times.  They often have a lust for attention, approval, and praise.

Those who attempt to build them up psychologically only assist them in feeding the monster of further self-indulgence.

The Antidote For The Prideful Heart

What is the antidote for a prideful heart?

Begin by boldly and transparently admitting to God that you struggle with the ugly sin of pride.  (Confessing this is is agreeing with God that what you have done is wrong.)

You might pray a simple prayer similar to this one:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I confess to you that I struggle and often indulge in self gratification with the sin of pride in my heart and my life.  This pride leads me to act out selfish desires and is hurtful to many other people in my life.

I ask for the help of the Holy Spirit to change my heart, to clean out this hideous ego and seared conscience that I have indulged so that I can become selfless and learn to serve and honor others as I learn to consider them better and more important than myself.

Create in me a new, clean heart O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires,   (Psalm 51:10).

Thank You for the forgiveness that is mine through the Lord Jesus Christ, and I pray these things for Your glory alone, and not mine, In Jesus’ name. Amen.

In His Shadow,
~ Mary Lindow ^©

Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed as long as complete message and website information for Mary Lindow is included.  Thank You!

” THE MESSENGER ” ~ Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
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Mary Lindow has a passion for encouraging others – all generations, careers or vocations to live expressing excellence through personal integrity, healthy accountability, and wise management of talents and skills. She’s a sought after keynote, inspirational, humorous speaker and teacher across the USA and internationally in Ministers & Spiritual leaders Conferences, and training seminars for various organizations.

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