Combatting Pride

Jesus told a parable to some self-righteous religious leaders (Pharisees) to reveal their sinful, spiritual arrogance (Luke 18:9-14).

In His story, Jesus described two men who prayed. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a sinful businessman.

When the Pharisee prayed, he thanked himself for his own righteousness, exalted himself above the sinful businessman, and rattled off the religious works he believed justified him before God.

However, when the sinful businessman prayed, he could not even lift his eyes to heaven. In humility, he beat his chest and pleaded with God to have mercy on him, a sinner.

Jesus concluded this parable by telling the self-righteous religious leaders that only the sinful businessman went home justified before God that day, “for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:14).

Jesus’ parable was intended to expose the fallacy of these men’s self-righteous arrogance. However, it also addresses an issue that we can easily radiate as believers if we are not careful: Pride!

As we grow spiritually, our lives will reflect more of God’s holiness than before. However, running right alongside spiritual maturity is the sinful tendency to think higher of ourselves and lower of others. This issue is described as self-righteousness and pride in the Bible.

To help us combat the pride that dwells in our sinful natures, we must never forget Jesus’ shed blood, which is the only thing that renders us righteous and justified before God—ever! Trusting in anything or anyone else is sinful and arrogant and lumps us in with the Pharisees whom Jesus rebuked.

What about you? Are pride, self-righteousness, or arrogance hindering your relationship with Jesus or others? If so, let me know in the comments or DM me. I would love to pray for you.