Combating a Spirit of Pride When Cultivating a Purposeful Life

In our pursuit of cultivating a purposeful life of faith, a spirit of pride often emerges as a formidable obstacle that hinders our growth and fulfillment.

And, if we’re honest, it acts as our silent killer because we’re often blind to this plank of a stronghold.

We’re good at calling out the obvious, textbook definitions of pride in others, but we often minimize the specks of pride wreaking havoc in our hearts and minds (or maybe that’s just me).

But we’re smart gals after all, and we’re up for the challenge of uprooting what has no place in the confines of our homes, the dynamics of our workplaces, the sacred walls of our dwellings of worship, or even in the way we celebrate and interact with our fellow sisters in Christ.

The short of it, pride robs us of the peace and security we long for.

So let’s delve into the dangers of pride, explore its impact on our lives, and discover effective strategies to overcome it through the wisdom we find in Scripture in order that we may live a purposeful life in Christ.

Reflecting On Our Prideful Hearts

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

The Bible provides us with numerous examples of pride and its detrimental effects. Woven throughout Scripture, we witness the consequences of pride and the gravity of this stronghold.

And yet, we’re tempted to believe that we wouldn’t make the same mistakes as “those people”.

But we have the benefit of the full story, don’t we?

The scope from the beginning of seeds sown to consequences reaped is often sprawled before us with an unfair advantage.

Here’s the truth: full-blown pride isn’t sown in our hearts overnight. 

No, our pride is subtly tucked away in our hearts by the enemy who is craftier than that.

Living a purposeful life for Christ means we have to stop tuning our eyes from recognizing blatant acts of pride within us and start sharpening our swords to dismantle the covert acts of pride being sown under the radar of our hearts.

Breaking the Spirit of a Prideful Heart in Ourselves

Recognizing and addressing the spirit of pride within ourselves is crucial for our personal growth and the edification of those around us. 

By overcoming our pride, we prevent ourselves from becoming stumbling blocks to God’s commissioning of us as we seek to live a purposeful life for the Kingdom.

Moreover, when we allow pride to fester within our hearts, we become hurdles to others, hindering their own spiritual journey.

Overcoming pride requires introspection and a genuine desire to align our thoughts and hearts with Christ’s example of humility.

Only through sincere self-reflection can we begin to break the chains of pride that hold us captive.

Three Ways to Overcome Pride in Your Life Today

So, if we’re not going to be prideful gals, who are we going to be?

Combating pride and embracing a purposeful life begins with humility.

We must actively engage in practices that foster both self-awareness and a spirit that’s unpretentious or unoffensive.

Here are three practical ways to overcome pride today:

1. Combat Pride by Remaining Teachable

Cultivating a teachable spirit allows us to acknowledge we don’t have all the answers and there is always room for growth. 

Embracing a posture of humility opens doors to learning from others and being receptive to constructive criticism.

In practice, think: “What can I learn from this experience or person?”, “Where are my blind spots on this matter?”, or “How is God to be glorified here?”.

2. Combat Pride by Asking for Help

Pride often convinces us we must handle everything on our own, fearing that seeking help might be a sign of weakness. 

However, by humbly seeking assistance when needed, we not only alleviate the burden on ourselves but also foster a sense of community and interconnectedness.

In practice, think: “Who has dealt with this before?” or “What is the enemy whispering to my heart vs. what do I know to be true about God?”

3. Combat Pride by Creating Intentional Habits of Humility

By consciously practicing acts of humility in our daily lives, we can chip away at the stronghold of pride.

Simple acts like serving others, actively listening, and expressing gratitude can go a long way in cultivating a humble disposition.

In practice, think, “What gift has God given me that I can share with others?”, “What gift has someone shared with me that meant so much in my time of need?”, or “How can I be a better listener than a problem solver today?”

What Does The Bible Say About Pride?

Meditate on these Scriptures to overcome pride and live a purposeful life:

Proverbs 11:2: “When arrogance comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.”

James 4:6: “But he gives greater grace. Therefore he says: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Romans 12:3: “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”

1 Peter 5:5-7: “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Galatians 6:3-5: “For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Let each person examine his own work, and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else. For each person will have to carry his own load.”

1 Corinthians 1:26-31: “Brothers and sisters, consider your calling: Not many were wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, so that no one may boast in his presence. It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption—in order that, as it is written: Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Pride is Detrimental to Building a Purposeful Life

Pride not only hinders our spiritual growth but also steals our peace and security which have already been graciously gifted to us. 

When we let pride take root in our hearts, it undermines our relationships, causing strife and discord.

Moreover, pride dismisses and interrupts the favor God intends to bestow upon us. To live a purposeful life, we must recognize the destructive nature of pride and actively work to combat it.

When we allow pride to take precedence, we become consumed by a false sense of self-importance and lose sight of the true meaning and fulfillment that come from embracing God’s purpose in us. 

A Prayer to Help Our Prideful Heart

Father God,

We humbly come before You, acknowledging the prideful tendencies that hinder our growth and purposeful living. We ask for Your forgiveness for the times we have exalted ourselves above others, dismissed Your favor, and caused division in our relationships. Help us break the chains of pride and replace them with a spirit of humility.

Grant us the wisdom to recognize our need for growth and the courage to remain teachable in all areas of our lives. Enable us to set aside our pride and seek help when we need it, understanding that true strength lies in our ability to admit our weaknesses. Guide us to develop intentional habits of humility, so that our lives may be characterized by service, gratitude, and a genuine love for others.

We surrender our prideful hearts to You, Lord, and ask that You transform us from the inside out. May Your Word be a lamp unto our feet, leading us on the path of humility and purpose.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Demolishing Pride to Live a Purposeful Life

Pride can be a significant stumbling block on our journey toward a purposeful life, but it doesn’t have to be.

Through remaining teachable, seeking help when needed, and cultivating intentional habits of humility, we can overcome pride and live in alignment with our true purpose—to bring glory to God in our work, worship, or season of waiting.

Meditating on the Scriptures and approaching each day with a humble heart helps us receive the abundant blessings God already has in store for us.