PRIDE - Impacting Righteously

There is a rampant problem called Pride.

Pride…

– Is Entitled

– Leads to rebellion.

– Despises responsibility and accountability.

– Elevates self.

– Cannot admit wrong.

– Usually does not say I am sorry.

– Is profoundly stubborn.

– Is insensitive to others; hypersensitive about self.

– Leads to denial.

– Is defensive, deflecting, blames others.

– Does not care about the pain of others.

– Is unwilling to make positive change.

– Will eventually be debased.  Proverbs 16: 18; Isaiah 2:11-12.

First, I understand the necessity for humility for all. I must examine myself.

“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16: 18.

I also am responsible for observing and making wise decisions on who I will marry. Can you imagine being married to someone like this? Then why do it? There are people walking around inside and outside of the churches who do not know humility.

If a person has not yet had a humbling touch from God, a heart change, and has not been discipled, mentored, trained in righteousness and humility, please do not believe that you as a woman can accomplish the feat of training him after you marry him. As women, we are to live righteously, in humility and with wisdom.

It would be wise to never use any Bible verses as an excuse to marry pride or marry into any type of unrighteousness.

For example, in 1 Peter 3: 1-2,  Paul, the Apostle says, “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation (behavior) of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear…”

This passage is giving instructions to women who have already married. This is not encouragement for single women to marry men who disobey God.

It is very important for men and women to use great wisdom when choosing a life partner in marriage. This is a passage addressing wives; not girlfriends and not fiancee’s. This is not a passage to encourage women to make unwise, unsafe moves to marry someone who doesn’t obey God.

The good Lord knows what a wife in this situation is up against, and instructs her on how to conduct herself, so that she will be pleasing to Him, and may win her husband. Not everyone will be won. The Bible did not say he will be won, but that may be won.

Pride is the very reason some people are so hardened and will not get better. They cannot admit in the first place that there is anything wrong! God will change people, but they are often too hardened and proud to humble themselves before Him and repent. God does not force anyone, but honors people’s free will.

Men and women should never assume in advance of marriage that their spouse will change after marriage. The idea that a man may change is not an excuse to become involved in such a risky situation in the first place. The principle here is the wife’s obedience to God. On behalf of God, she is honoring and submitting to her husband (as long as she is not sinning against God to submit).

This is in spite of the husband’s disobedience and consequent poor leadership. Pride can lead to very stiff- necked and cold-hearted callousness.

If a woman marries a prideful man, it will negatively and heavily impact every aspect of their marriage.

This is such an important topic, because pride is so common and so destructive. Pride is attached to any other sin we can think of. When women pay attention and don’t make light of red flags or ignore them, they can save themselves a lot of heartache. Finally, pride is one of those topics that the Bible revisits over and over again. All of the Bible is important, but certain topics are repeated over and over for emphasis. It is very important for all people to be humble.

“Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.” Proverbs 18: 12

Here are a few more verses on pride:

“ Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.” Proverbs 16: 5

“For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.” Galatians 6: 3

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4: 6-7.

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” 1 John 2: 16