Good Person. Bad Choices. Part 4: Pride // Jamie Nunnally

Victory Fellowship Church Podcast

Pride is a trap the world sets for us. In this message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally shares how we can defeat pride.

1 John 2:16 "For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father but are from this world."

What is pride?

Pride is a mindset of self-focus that leads to an incorrect assessment our ability and our importance.

Romans 12:3

Pride is misplaced confidence in self, instead of God.

Pride can reveal itself through:

Arrogance – I am better at something than I really am.

Gal. 6:2 "For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself."

Assumption – I know more than I really do.

1 Cor. 8:1-2 But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know.

Entitlement – I deserve more than I really do.

Self-sufficiency – I can handle more than I really can.

Control – I am in charge of more than I really am.

James 4:13-16

Elitism – I don't need others as much as I really do.

False humility – I am worse than I really am.

You don't have to talk about how bad you are in order to convey how good Jesus is.

Why is the pride a big deal?

1. God hates pride and opposes proud people.

Proverbs 6:16-17 – "These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look."

James 4:6 "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Pride turns God from your advocate to your adversary.

2. Pride will hurt you.

Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

You can either be humble or be humbled.

3. Pride is the first sin.

1 Tim 3:6 "He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil."

How to defeat pride:

1. Repent.

1 Cor. 4:7

When you begin to realize how incredible God is, you will also begin to recognize how

incomplete you are. A right perspective of God gives you a right perspective of yourself.

2. Practice humility.

1 Peter 5:5 "Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Humility is correctly determining who's in charge and acting accordingly.

3. Don't be your own biggest fan.

Proverbs 27:2 "Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips."

4. Serve others.

Mark 10:44-45

The more you serve, the more you look like Jesus.

5. Be Accountable.

1 Thess. 5:11

Keep people around you who aren't impressed with you that will challenge you and correct you.

Are you caught in the world's trap of pride?