It is estimated that 5 million Americans suffer from Narcissistic Personality Disorder, or NPD. On top of that it's estimated that 10 million Americans suffer from the less serious Destructive Narcissistic Pattern. Amazon.com carries more 28,000 books that have to do with self-absorption and a quick Google search reveals that the word most often used in advertising is, "You".
We live in a culture that is supremely self-focused to say the least. At the root of this self-interest is really pride (def. "An excessively high opinion of oneself") and pride in the life of a Christian is problem. In Isaiah 66:2 God says, "...But this in the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word." If God is looking for a humble person to use, and pride is the antithesis of humility, then pride is a major problem in the life of a Christian.
Jonathan Edwards said, "Pride is the first sin that ever entered into the universe, and the last sin that is rooted out." Pride is one of those things that seems easy to spot in others, but proves difficult to see in your own life. As I was studying today I observed three truths about pride:
1. Pride was the First Sin (Jude 6, 2 Peter 2:4, Isaiah 14:12-15)
We tend to think that the sin of Adam and Eve was the first sin, but in fact there was a sin prior to this. Prior to the fall in Genesis 3, Satan and his demonic angels rebelled and were cast from heaven. We see in Jude 6 that the reason that Satan and the demons were cast out was that they "did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling." In Isaiah 14 we see Isaiah describing the judgment of God on the king of Babylon, but then He seems to switch and reference the fall of Satan in verses 12-15. Here we see Satan's rebellious heart when he is recorded as saying, "I will make myself like the Most High." Pride was in fact the very first sin.
2. Pride is the Root of All Sin
Charles Bridges said, "Pride is self contending with God for preeminence". Each time we sin we tell God that our way is right to us and His way is wrong. To tell an all knowing God that our way is better than His is by definition, PRIDE. In Colossians 1:18 Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, speaks of Jesus saying, "And he is the head of the body the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent." Jesus is preeminent. He must be first. He is always right and we must reject pride and submit our lives to His will and ways.
3. God opposes Pride
James 4:6 says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." To live in pride is to live in opposition to God. Think of the implications of having God opposed to you and all you do. When we get in the octagon to go a few rounds with God, God always wins!
We should want to be used by God, but we must remember that God uses those who have a humble heart and posture so this must be our pursuit. Pride is a problem in the life of a Christian. If we are to be used God we must put off pride and put on humility.
