Today, is the final in our current series. Just to recap what we covered in the seven parts so far:

• Part 1:         The Importance of Pride
• Part 2:          The Nature of Pride
• Part 3:          The Consequences of Pride
• Parts 4 – 7:   Unveiling the 13 Faces of Pride

In this final part of our series, I will be taking us through some strategies to overcome pride. At the outset, I need to say that overcoming pride is not a one-time event. Pride is so subtle that we always have to be on constant guard against it and nip it in the bud as soon as we see any slight indication that it might be present. In essence, overcoming pride is a lifelong process. Satan never gives up trying to trip us up in this area so we must be constantly discerning and always asking the Holy Spirit to reveal if we have become a casualty to its subtle grasp.

1. Be vigilant and sober. We need to be on constant watch because pride has a way of creeping up on us. You cannot afford to let down your guard for one moment. At the end of each day conduct an assessment of your actions for that day.

Be sober, be vigilant: because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. (1 Pet. 5:8-9)

2. Pay attention to your thoughts. Remember that pride has to do with how you think about yourself relative to others and to God. Everything begins in our thoughts. Our thoughts influence our feelings, which in turn influences our behaviour.

Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, (2 Cor. 10:5)

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above very name: (Phil. 2:5-9)

3. Assess your motives. The scriptures tell us how important our motives are to God and that unless love is the motive for our actions our motives are not right.

The heart is deceitful above all things And it is extremely sick; Who can understand it fully and know its secret motives? (Jer. 17:9, AMP)

Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs and examines the hearts [of people and their motives]. (Prov. 21:2, AMP)

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing. (1 Cor. 13:1-3)

Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you da a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. (Matt. 6:1-4)

4. Get an accountability partner. This should be someone to whom you give authority to call you out when they see prideful actions and words being displayed. In effect, you are giving them spiritual oversight. This is particularly useful, because as we have pointed out before, pride is very deceptive and many times we cannot recognize when it is at work in our lives.

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you all be tempted. (Gal. 6:1)

5. Have a changed mindset about receiving. See receiving as allowing the giver to be blessed. You need to recognize when you refuse another’s desire to help that you are robbing them of their blessing. Take the focus of yourself and shift it to the fact that you are helping the other person by receiving from them. It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts. 20:35b)

And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Rom. 12:2)

“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with what measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Lk. 6:38)

6. Constantly remind yourself. Recall from the scriptures how strongly God feels about pride and what are the consequences of pride. You can remind yourself by reviewing Parts 1 – 3. Do not minimize pride. Remember it is sin and it WILL separate you from God.

That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, (Eph. 5:26)

7. Apply the 9 Rs. Remember I said overcoming pride is a lifetime process. When you see evidence of it in your life then apply the 9 Rs.

• Recognize
• Responsibility (acknowledge that you and no one else, not even Satan, is at fault for what you have allowed to enter in)
• Repent (Acts 8:22)
• Receive forgiveness (1 John 1:9)
• Renounce (verbally declare that you are no longer in agreement with pride and it has no authority over you; rather you are taking authority over it.) (Luke 10:19; Matt. 18:18)
• Replace (trade lies from the enemy and the world for the truth of God’s Word; remind yourself that everything you have and everything you have become is because of God. It is not your doing. (Rom. 12:2; Phil. 2:13; Deut. 8:18)
• Resist (the enemy will try to make a comeback, be ready and on guard for him) (James 4:7)
• Rejoice (2 Cor. 2:14)
• Refocus (Phil. 3:14)

Let us fight a good warfare and having done all to stand!!

Shalom.