Pride Knocks At The Door
1 Timothy 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
1 Timothy 3:6(AMP) He must not be a new convert, or he may [develop a beclouded and stupid state of mind] as the result of pride [be blinded by conceit, and] fall into the condemnation that the devil [once] did.
1 Timothy 3:6 (GNT) He must be mature in the faith, so that he will not swell up with pride and be condemned, as the Devil was.
1 Timothy 3:6(NLT.) An elder must not be a new Christian, because he might be proud of being chosen so soon, and the Devil will use that pride to make him fall.
Introduction: I salute every saints in Christ as we await the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
🙏 I pray that by the Mercy of God, Grace of our Lord Jesus and Help of the Holy Spirit, we shall not fall by the wayside or perish in Jesus name.
During our family devotion where discussion was centred on Pride, it occurred to me that Pride and Sin are siamese twins that dwells in everyone born of a woman. Until there is consistent ample opportunity to steal in times of hunger and you do not steal, you cannot say you’re not a thief. Likewise, do not say you’re not proud until you have power and money.
🛑 Lack humbles people by force. When children of Israel were in the wilderness moving towards the promised land, God humbled them through hunger so as to make them dependent on Him by the word.
Deuteronomy 8:3(AMP) And He humbled you and allowed you to hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you recognize and personally know that man does not live by bread only, but man lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.
▶️ Christians MUST pass through the wilderness of life with lack orchestrated by God to humble Christians, and make Believers to depend on Him for sustenance by His words. This is for our own good because Pride is always at the door to gain entry.
Deuteronomy 8:16-17(NLT) He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. He did it so you would never think that it was your own strength and energy that made you wealthy.
🛑 Pride is as deadly as Sin. When Christians are comfortable and lack nothing, it is easy for Satan to take advantage and makes Believers to forget God and trust in uncertainty riches.
Deuteronomy 32:15(NLT) But Israel soon became fat and unruly; the people grew heavy, plump, and stuffed! Then they abandoned the God who had made them; they made light of the Rock of their salvation.
▶️ The Lord helped Paul to lock out Pride by allowing infirmities in his life to humble him because of the abundance of revelation he had.
2 Corinthians 12:7-9 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
🛑 The nature inherited from Adam was an infection from Satan, originally known as Lucifer who fell as a result of Pride because of his beauty, as he wanted to be like the Most High who created him.
Isaiah 14:14(AMP) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.
▶️ Character of Believers has tendency to change from Humility to Pride when the splendor of money and power comes into being. Pride dwells inside human nature inherited from Adam through Satan.
Hear what Scriptures say concerning Lucifer;
Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
Ezekiel 28:17(NLT) Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth and exposed you to the curious gaze of kings.
🛑 Pride has easily destroyed many Christian homes.
❓Why do you think spouses find it difficult to apologise to each other even when offended and feel justified? It is Pride.
❓Why do you think Christian spouses disrespect one another? It is Pride
❓Why do you think spouse who commits adultery will tell the partner to do the worse after confessing for better for worse at the beginning? Pride has gained entry.
🛑 Collapsed Christian marriages originate from Pride the siamese twins of Sin that knocks at the door and destroy homes designed to do well but could not due to inability to rule over Pride.
Hear what God told Cain when Pride was at the door to make him the first murderer;
Genesis 4:7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”
▶️ Inability to rule over Pride that dwells in human nature has made Christian couples commit murder. Saying that you’re not proud is saying you’re not a sinner, therefore you cannot deal with what is Unknowingly dwelling in you.
1 John 1:8(AMP) If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude and lead ourselves astray, and the Truth [which the Gospel presents] is not in us [does not dwell in our hearts].
❓What then shall we do as Christians to disallow Pride that knocks at the Door of our hearts?
1️⃣ Possessing mind of Christ
Philippians 2:5-7 (AMP) Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being.
2️⃣ Constant renewals of mind by the word
Romans 12:1-2 (AMP) I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
3️⃣ Relying on God’s Grace in difficult times
2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (AMP) Three times I called upon the Lord and besought [Him] about this and begged that it might depart from me; But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!
4️⃣ Be extra Careful when prospering.
Deuteronomy 8:10-14(NLT) When you have eaten your fill, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and laws. For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, that is the time to be careful. Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.
5️⃣ Remember past deliverance by God
Deuteronomy 8:15(NLT) Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock!
6️⃣ Always remember what is possessed is from God through Jesus Christ.
Deuteronomy 8:18(NLT) Always remember that it is the Lord your God who gives you power to become rich, and he does it to fulfill the covenant he made with your ancestors.
7️⃣ Always ask for God’s Mercy and Help in the place of prayer without self-justification.
Psalms 30:10 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.
✍ Finally brethren, we are all susceptible to be proud due to Human nature inherited from Adam and Devil uses Pride to make Christians fall. Therefore, let us consistently and constantly walk in the Spirit so as NOT to open doors for Pride in our comfort zone.
Galatians 5:16(AMP) But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).
✋ Maranatha
