The language of pride goes after the covenant of works. The only way out is thru the new covenant, cut the cord of the old covenant, and state that the grace of Christ supercedes the works of the law.

A. The Pride of Gifts

“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:4

Every child of God is unique. When pride creeps in, divisions will occur. Satan tries to taint every gift with pride to render the saint useless for the kingdom of God.

“But he gives more grace. Wherefore he says, God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble.” James 4:6

Examine the following statement from a formerly prominent Christian leader: “Without my ministry thousands will perish.”

When pride prevails, we pray, preach, comfort, or console to be thought good by others, rather than to do good to others.

William Gurnall said, “We set ourselves upon a spiritual pedestal and, in a manner of speaking, expect those we serve to worship at the shrine of our good works.”

God has told us that he will not share His glory with anyone.

“For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory to another.” Isaiah 48:11

When pride fills us with notions of our own spiritual sufficiency, we can receive little from the gifts of others.

“But to every man some form of the Spirit’s working is given from the common good.” 1 Corinthians 12:7

Those who think themselves inferior without much to offer: be content with your condition.

Great gifts lift a saint up in the eyes of men, but they also tempt him to pride. Do not envy those with great gifts; instead pray for them. You have the help of their gifts, but not the temptation of their pride.

1. Pride wants to grow where the best gifts have been bestowed.

Humility is the place of protection from pride. Flattering lips spread a net for you.

“A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth works ruin.” Proverbs 26:28

They will try to convince you that your spiritual accomplishments are due solely to you.

2. Where pride flourishes, the Body of Christ suffers.

Christ is the great physician, we are the assistants.

3. Grace withers where pride grows.

Proud thoughts will cost you a measure of grace. When pride and grace sit at the same table, pride shows itself a glutton and grace leaves the table unfed.

4. Where pride reigns, God chastens.

God will not allow a weed to grow in His garden without some action to remove it. He may let you fall into sin that will humiliate you before men obliging you to crawl home in shame. Hezekiah boasted of His treasure. Uzziah was lifted up to become a leper.

“But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense.” 2 Chronicles 26:16

5. Where gifts are bestowed, God call an audit.

You will be held accountable for the talents you have and the manner you used them. Maybe you serve the church tirelessly which is commendable. Who gets the credit for your activities?

William Gurnall said, “A proud soul who take credit for his good works is a thief and steals from God himself.”

“For while one says, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are you not carnal?” 1 Corinthians 3:4

B. The Pride of Grace

The measure of grace or Godly attributes God gives a person.

Gifts equips us to do whereas Grace equips us to be.

How can a saint become proud of His grace?

1. Trusting in the strength of your own goodness. The poverty of Spirit is refused.

Poverty of Spirit: Seeing that you really know that there is nothing good within you.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3

The law reveals our poverty, and Jesus removes it. Men who know their spiritual poverty are the only ones who by faith can lay hold upon the true riches of grace.

We are to lean on God for every need.

Spurgeon said, “Those who are of no account in their own eyes are the blood royal of the universe. These alone have the principles and the qualifications for the heavenly kingdom.”

Paul said, “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.” 2 Corinthians 3:5

When Peter boasted of the strength of his grace, he set himself for a fall.

“But Peter said unto him, ‘Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.’” Mark 14:29

Christ in mercy let Peter fall to reveal the heart and dismount him from his pride.

Knowing that you are weak keeps you from wandering too far from Him.

“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” 1 Corinthians 1:27

When you see that your own cupboard is bare and everything you need is in His, you will go often to Him for supplies. When one boasts of his spirituality, they will find themselves in all sorts of trouble. You begin to think that no error can penetrate your soul; that you can handle any situation, that you church is the church. An arrogant confidence will make you critical and unsympathetic toward your fellow Christians.

“Brothers, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering yourself, lest you also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1

God warns about over confident spirituality.

“Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” 2 Corinthians 10:12

2. Proud by relying on the worth of our grace.

Thinking that we can be good enough to please God is rooted in pride.

“For they being ignorant of God’ righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” Romans 10:3

And seeking to establish their own righteousness – Their own method of acceptance with God.

Examples: Do more, pray more, praise God more. You can never do enough.

The first entrance into the calling to salvation, is to renounce our own righteousness by faith, which God freely offers us in the Gospel.

a. The ignorance of the law (which we ought to know) does not excuse anyone before God. especially those that are of his household.

b. Ignorance always has pride associated with it.

C. The Pride of Privileges

It is used to puff up Christians.

1. Pride of the prominent place.

To keep the heart low when the man is in a high place. Don’t get blinded by your own glory when your ministry flourishes, or think that it is your doing.

There will be souls in Hell who will say “we cast out devils.” Matthew 7:22

2. Pride of knowledge.

“Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but charity edifies.” 1 Corinthians 8:1

3. Pride of persecution.

“For, on behalf of Christ, you have had the privilege granted you, not only trusting in him, but also of suffering on his behalf.” Philippians 1:29

The greater the faith, the greater Satan’s wrath.

“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profits me nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:3

“But, for my part, may I never boast of anything except the cross of Jesus Christ, our Master, through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Galatians 6:14

4. Pride of revelation.

“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” 2 Corinthians 12:7

Spurgeon said, “From devout exaltation to self-exaltation is but a step, and that step our nature is prone to take. To be proud is one of the worst of calamities, and therefore to keep us humble the Lord sends us sharp trials.”

You can endure only by God’s grace. You owe everything to God.

“I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in Him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Nothing! Mark the word. He does not say “only a little,” but nothing!

5. Pride of blessing.

When God flows in with more than ordinary manifestation of His love, then the believer is in danger of having his heart secretly swell up with pride. He begins to think that he is the Lord’s favorite. The proper response should be humility and gratitude.

It often originates in:

* Self-righteousness – See Luke 18:11-12
* Possession of wealth – See 2 Kings 20:13

Do not measure your grace by your comfort. Use the time of blessing to work harder for the Lord.

Pride will be a hindrance to seeking God.

“The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.” Psalm 10:4

Pride will be a a hindrance to improvement.

“Have you seen a man who seems to himself to be wise? There is more hope for the foolish than for him.” Psalm 26:12

The fool may learn, but the conceited man will not. There is more hope of a sinful Publican than of a self-righteous Pharisee.

Pride leads men to contempt and rejection of God’s word and ministers.

“Then spoke Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, ‘You speak falsely” the Lord our God has not sent you to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there.” Jeremiah 43:2

Strife and contention result from pride.

“He that is of a proud heart stirs up strife: but he that puts his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.” Proverbs 28:25

You must take His yoke

“Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart” and you shall find rest unto your souls.” Matthew 11:29

Do it His way, with His methods, and on His timing – for His glory!

In today’s theology: It’s the “I can do it” method rather than what Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”

You can’t take His yoke until you shed the one that harnesses you to works.

Renounce every expectation of yourself.

Quite often we see no fruit in our lives because we are rooted in the barren soil of legalism. [works - doing]

“Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness. But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.” Psalm 52:7-8

Let mercy carry the burden of your salvation. – This is not a license to do whatever you want.

“For we are the circumcision, which worships God in the Spirit, and rejoices in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” Philippians 3:3

God wants you to totally lean on the Holy Spirit for everything.

This was taken from William Gurnall’s The Christian in Complete Armour