Anyone who lays a strong emphasis on the word “I” is a proud person. Satan lost his beautiful position in heaven because of “I”. Anyone who intends to satisfy God must be humble; his emphasis must be in “Him” (That is, in Christ Jesus!)
Satan is a prime example of pride. He initiated pride and fell for the sake. Satan lost his position in heaven because of pride.
“And war broke out in heaven… So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:7-9).
Just as Satan is an example of pride so is Jesus an example of humility.
Jesus Christ is the prime example of humility. He humbled himself and was willing to do the will of God at all costs. (Revelation 5:1-4; Philippians 2:5-8). Therefore, God awarded him the highest honor as the king of the entire universe (earth and heaven inclusive).
“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven, on earth, and under the earth…” (Philippians 2:9-11).
God debased Satan to the lowest part of the earth with a promise to eternally condemned him to hell fire on the last day.
Be humble! Aspire to live your life in Christ Jesus; train your mind to declare, “I am what I am by the grace of God!”
Emulate Jesus Christ who is the prime example of humility.
Make humility your lifestyle to enjoy God’s premium benefits in every aspect of your life.
See some questions and answers on Pride versus Humility:
What did Satan lose as a result of pride?
He was instantly judged by God and condemned to a permanent place of punishment called hell fire.
“…The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone… will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).
He was banished in heaven and cast to the earth pending his permanent punishment of hell fire.
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!… you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit” (Isaiah 14:12-15).
He became a “Lesser Personality” to all creatures. (Revelation 12:11; Isaiah 14:15).
“Those who see you will gaze at you… saying: ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble… But you are cast out of your grave Like an abominable branch… Like the garment of those who are slain… Like a corpse trodden underfoot” (Isaiah 14:15-17).
What did Jesus Christ gain as a result of humility?
He was awarded the highest authority in the universe – The King!
“And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:13).
He became the only channel of salvation for mankind.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).
Paul used his personal experience to analyze how Satan can manipulate anyone into pride through personal achievement.
The enemy can trick someone to mistake God’s grace and blessing as mere fruits of human labor (which is a practice detested by God). Paul used his life as an example and said,
“…And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).
Lesson on Pride of achievement
God created humanity to depend on him. He wants us to look up to him for every help that we need.
Even when we have adequate provisions, God still wants us to gratify whatever we have towards him.
The Creator simply does not want us to be self-sufficient. He is our sufficiency.
Meanwhile, human flesh tends to do the opposite of God’s expectations.
The flesh wants self-gratification, which makes us prone to Satan’s temptations.
Meanwhile, since we Christians have the Spirit of God in us, we can mortify the desires of the flesh.
We can yield ourselves to the leadership of the Holy Spirit, which will make us satisfy God.
Hence, every child of God should be sensitive not to entertain human gratification that can cause us to sin against God.
(This fact does not negate the fact that we can be thankful of our achievement and have a sense of accomplishment in it).
Prayer Against Pride of achievement
Dear God, please give me the grace to see you in all things that happen in my life.
Let me glorify you in my achievements. Enable me with the courage to honor you with everything I have.
Let your Holy Spirit empower me to live a pleasant life before you always so that I can qualify for more blessings.
For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.
Everyone (including Christians) is prone to the temptation of pride.
Children of God must take extra caution not to fall into the pitfall.
Every child of God must cautiously make efforts not to fall for Satan’s trick of self-pride!
No doubt that Satan – the enemy of righteousness – would first attempt pride as an attack tool to make a successful Christian stumble into sin.
The enemy would tempt a Christian to be self-focus and/or be self-gratifying without the consciousness of glorifying God. (A practice considered detestable to God).
Instead of anyone becoming obsessive about his (or her) achievement, he should make efforts to divert due glory to God.
It is un-disputable fact to state that no one can successfully make anything happen without the help of God.
“…A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven” (John 3:27 KJV)
Christians to learn from Apostle Paul (in the bible); with the use of his personal experience, he analyzed how Satan can manipulate anyone into pride – through his personal achievements.
Paul stated,
“…And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
Concerning this thing, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me,
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).
Summary Lesson on Humility vs Pride
God created humanity to depend on him. He wants us to look up to him for our needed help.
God does not want us to be self-gratifying or be self-sufficient.
Satan will attempt to make anyone be obsessed with his achievements without the consciousness of glorifying God.
God wants us to gratify our success to him – Even if our personal efforts are involved.
To Be Reminded Of Christians’ Need To Take Caution
The flesh wants self-gratification. We must not allow it.
Satan wants us to choose the pathway of pride to trip and fall. We must not allow him.
God dislikes any gratification that voids the praise of his name. We must give God his due honor.
Christians must yield to the leadership of the Holy Spirit and refuse to satisfy the desires of self.
Don’t get confused about Pride
It is important to note there is nothing bad in taking pride in achievement if due honor is given to God.
Pride of achievement is only considered erratic when a person pretends he has earned his success without God’s help.
Never Forget!
God wants to take pride out of us to bless us more.
God wants to demonstrate to everyone around that he is the brain behind our success.
It is certain that everyone does not have the same measure of faith.
Some have strong faith while others struggle with their beliefs.
Also, some young believers model few others that they consider to be more spiritual.
Those followers can be tempted to sway any direction based on their examples they follow.
Therefore, everyone should consider it an obligation to be cautious as he or she practices Christianity.
The fact that Christians must be good examples for other people to emulate cannot be overemphasized.
All Christians – both young and old should carefully exercise their liberty in God.
Every Christian must ensure to live an exemplary lifestyle that will glorify God since some known and unknown protégés may be following.
Prayer of Grace to Lead by Good Examples
Dear God, please make me a good Christian, and let me be a good example for other people to follow.
Help me not to be a stumbling block for other people’s grace and salvation.
Let me faithfully and carefully serve you so that other people can witness this and glorify your holy name.
I am also praying for my fellow Christians throughout the world that you please grant them grace to present themselves as good examples that will glorify your Holy Name.
Humility is the key. Jesus Christ washed the feet of his disciples to demonstrate humility, and he challenged them to do likewise. Jesus Christ said,
“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (John 13:13-15 NIV).
We should not only faithfully serve God, but we should also provide for the needs of other people. Christians should help their fellow believers and seek for their welfare.
It is important that God’s saints work in unity, and they should understand that “whatever happens to one believer has happened to all believers!”
In other words, no Christian should be obsessed with his or her position (or personal integrity) and consider others to be inferiors.
While we cannot all be leaders, we are all called to serve one another – and we must do so with all humility and sincerity. Every Christian must honor the true symbol of Christianity – which is love!
Prayer to serve with Humility
Dear Jesus Christ, I receive your grace by faith to love other people genuinely.
I want to make positive contributions to other people’s lives.
Please help me to achieve this!
Empower me to support my fellow Christians whatever I can offer within my capacity.
Let me have a genuine interest in the success of others, and let me contribute my quotas of positive efforts into their lives.
Please, help me to represent you well here on earth so that you can be pleased and bless me.
Please let your love dwell richly in my heart from now on and always.
we need.
Dear God, please give me the grace to see you in all things that happen in my life.
The fact that Christians must be good examples for other people to emulate cannot be overemphasized.
Believers in Jesus Christ are required to be humble and serve other people.
Dear Jesus Christ, I receive your grace by faith to love other people genuinely.
