Pride goes before destruction (Proverbs 16:18).

For the purpose of this article, I am borrowing the description of pride from the Christian Crier (www.patheos.com).

It says that pride is an inwardly directed emotion that can easily offend others and carries with it a connotation that displays an inflated sense of one’s own worth or personal status and typically make one feel a sense of superiority over others and can easily make someone look condescendingly at others.

Pride is a very dangerous feeling which the enemy uses to bring people down. Once you make pride take the best part of you, you become the enemy of God.

According to James….. God abhors the proud

Pride is a spirit when left unchecked, will place you where you do not expect to be. It comes like the sea waves. When it comes it collects the sea sand from under your feet. You will find yourself in it even when you have not taken a step forward. That is why it is important to control it from the very onset. It starts from the mind. It tells you that you are better than everybody.

Arrogance sets in and you don’t appreciate

anything; you are full of yourself.

Pride is symptomised by some of the following attitudes;

Hypocrisy

If you are argumentative,

If you are not appreciative

If you like being glorified

Every good thing should come to you

You always want to control others

If you do not accept your mistakes

If you don’t know how to say sorry

If you don’t take advice

If you are too know

If you are unforgiving

If you like justifying your actions

If you feel better than others

If you are fault finding

If you make people feel worthless

If you are unreasonable

We all have traces of these attitudes and more but God has given us power to overcome them. Humility is the key.

Proverbs 3:34 says God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

If you are good at something do not let it get into your head. Always give the glory to God. Because if he did not give you that which you are so proud of, where would you be. Bible describes pride as vainglory.

If you have a good voice or you have the know how of something, remember that God gave it to you.

Run away from pride. Humble yourself and God will keep you on top.