Pride—our culture doesn’t typically give it much thought, but to the early church, pride was considered one of the most destructive of all sins. Trouble is, it’s also a sin that comes pretty naturally to us. So how do we fight it?
Refocus
Instead of trying to subtract pride from your life, try to add something in its place—think servanthood. Being a servant means dying to self whether your act of service is going on a mission trip or opening a door for someone. Focusing less on yourself and more on others is a good step toward defeating pride.
Worship Often
Practicing the discipline of worship removes our attention from ourselves and directs it toward God. Whether in public or private, worship helps us remember that the things that make us most proud—our accomplishments or our talents—are gifts from God. They’re not ours to claim.
Repeat It
Commit Philippians 2:3-4 to memory: “Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Repeat these verses to yourself any time you find yourself worried about getting attention or wishing others would bow to your personal convenience.
Quit Trying
Conquering pride on your own only leads to feeling proud of your accomplishment—which kinda defeats the purpose. Ultimately, only the Holy Spirit can help us take small steps toward unselfishness. Ask God to change your perspective. Ask Him to help you see past yourself and to develop within you a deeper concern for others.
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