Pride is a silent killer. Not only does it destroy us immensely but it does so in a way that can happen right under our noses and we won't even know it. Pride, at the core of it's being, is neglecting the need for Jesus in our life and how without Him, we are not whole.
James 4:6 tells us, "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" Imagine what it would be like to have the all-powerful God who simply spoke things into being oppose you. I don't think you want to be on the opposite end of a ring with God, and that's what happens when pride comes creeping into our hearts.
The sin of arrogance comes quietly and subtly. That's why we must have our hearts open to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to bring out thoughts and mindsets that can brew a spirit of pride in us.
Here are five simple mistakes that build up pride in our hearts.
Self-entitlement. Romans 12:3 reminds us, "For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned."
The moment we start thinking about what we deserve too often, we just might be slipping into a pit of pride. That's not to say that we neglect our own needs, but always be on the lookout to see if your entitlement has basis or not.
Fault-finding. The Word of God was meant to be a mirror, not a periscope to peer into the faults and sins of others. While there is benefit to rebuking and correcting those brothers who fall in sin, sometimes our minds can be filled with those thoughts that say, "Thank God I'm not like this person."
Focusing too much on strengths. It's good to know one's strengths, but when we start thinking about our qualifications so much that it starts pushing out the need for the grace of God, we fall in dangerous territory. No one is ever a complete package, and that's because God allows inadequacies in us so that we trust Him at all times.
Absence of positive regard. Imagine you have a friend who needs to borrow some money, and the first thought you have is "this person doesn't honour God with His wealth"—not knowing that he or she has already spent every ounce of savings on a hospital bill. Sure we're all sinners and we're all broken, but always think of others with positive regard, understanding first that there is always a situation that leads to every action.
Demanding respect. It's common today to demand respect just because we hold a certain title, office or position. Jesus, however, exemplified true humility by serving and denying himself perks despite His authority and office. Humility is learning to say no to the perks and opting to serve first before garnering respect.
