I wish I could say that pride was an easy sin to overcome, but it's not. Within anyone and everyone is a level of arrogance that makes us believe that we are fine without God. The only thing that can free us from a heart ruled by pride is an identity rooted in Christ.
James 4:6 says, "But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'" It's a scary thing to think of God opposing someone and that's what the Bible tells us about how God deals with pride. What's more scary is the reality that we all struggle with pride.
At the heart of pride is an arrogance that claims that Jesus is not enough for us. When we refuse to accept correction, we're saying that we no longer need God's grace and forgiveness. When we arrogantly boast of our good works, we search for the approval of man more than God's. It goes on.
How do we deal with pride? Many people wrongly assume that a degrading image of the self is the key - that we should look down on ourselves. I've seen Christians call themselves names and put themselves down on social media and in face-to-face conversations and it does them no good. Putting down the self only produces false humility and not genuine humility that acknowledges God. Moreover, it destroys the image and likeness of God in us.
True humility comes by acknowledging the noteworthy in you - the gifts, skills, talents, accolades, relationships and such - and coming to a deep revelation that all of these things come not based on your own terms, skill and capacity. They come simply because of the grace of God.
Deuteronomy 8:18 says, "But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today."
Every good and notable thing in us should not be ignored or belittled because it was and is God who puts and keeps them there. However, we must also forget that our strengths and victories come simply because of what Jesus has done for us, not because of what we do for ourselves.
Humility comes not because we fail to see the good and pleasing in us, but because we see all the wonderful things in us and recognise God as the source and truly live as if God can give and take away all we have at any moment. We become humble not by belittling our worth, but by acknowledging the unlimited worth in us that comes because Jesus has put all His worth, value and righteousness on what was once worthless prior to His intervention.
