Pride is utter poverty of soul Pride is utter poverty of soul disguised as riches, imaginary light disguised as riches, imaginary light where in fact there is darkness. where in fact there is darkness. This abominable vice not only This abominable vice not only stops our progress but even tosses stops our progress but even tosses us down from the heights we have us down from the heights we have reached.reached.

St. John Climacus

The LORD despises pride; be The LORD despises pride; be assured that the proud will be assured that the proud will be punished. Pride goes before punished. Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.before a fall.

Proverbs 16: 5,18Proverbs 16: 5,18

Pride is expressed in two waysPride is expressed in two ways

PridePrideVanityVanity

ConceitConceit

Do I recall feeling offended when my suggestions are ignored?

Do I quickly challenge statements that underrate my abilities or question my righteousness?

Do I feel anxious when others can answer questions that I cannot?

Do I feel indignant with those who point out my mistakes?

Do I encourage people to compliment and praise me, while feeling unable to function when they do not?

Do I hurry to put people in their place (which is always beneath me)?

Do I flee instruction, especially when it comes from those I do not respect (which is almost everyone!)?

Do I belittle the success of others, refusing to rejoice with those who rejoice?

Which is bigger?Which is bigger?

For everyone who exalts For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, himself will be humbled, and he who humbles and he who humbles himself will be exalted.himself will be exalted.

Luke 18:14

Starting ProudStarting Proud

The devil is content that The devil is content that people excel in good works, people excel in good works, provided he can make them provided he can make them proud of them. proud of them.

William Law

Growing ProudGrowing Proud

……serve each other in serve each other in humility, for ‘God sets humility, for ‘God sets himself against the proud himself against the proud but He shows favor to the but He shows favor to the humble.’humble.’

1 Peter 5:5

Serving ProudServing Proud

Believes God is holy and Believes God is holy and sovereignsovereign

Engages the world Engages the world through servicethrough service

A Humble church…A Humble church…