The Prideful Heart
As we continued in our sermon series, “The Heart Matters,” Norm Pond examined the pervasive and destructive nature of pride. Pride, as described by Augustine and C.S. Lewis, is not just another sin but the root from which all other sins grow. It is the “anti-God” state of mind, the very thing that led to Satan’s fall and the original sin of Adam and Eve. Scripture is filled with warnings and examples of pride’s dangers—from the downfall of kings to the subtle ways it infects our daily lives. God opposes the proud, and pride ultimately leads to disgrace and destruction, no matter how successful or justified it may feel in the moment.
Norm identified 11 common prideful behaviors that can be a struggle for many of us.
1. Assuming you already know something when someone is teaching
2. Seeing yourself as too good to perform certain tasks
3. Not willing to ask for help
4. Name dropping
5. Talking about yourself a lot
6. Thinking you are better than others
7. Disregarding others advice
8. Consistent need for attention
9. Not willing to receive criticism
10. Obsessed with your appearance
11. Justifying sin instead of accepting it
Key Takeaways
– Pride is the root of all sin, not just another vice among many
It is the “anti-God” state of mind that led to the fall of Satan and the original sin in the garden. Recognizing pride’s foundational role in our brokenness is essential if we are to take it as seriously as God does.
– Pride is not something to be celebrated
The world often celebrates pride, mistaking it for confidence or self-worth, but Scripture draws a sharp distinction between healthy satisfaction in our work and the destructive arrogance that sets us above others. True spiritual discernment requires us to see pride as God sees it, not as the world does.
– Pride is subtle and can manifest in countless ways
The more we indulge in behaviors like the ones listed above, the more pride becomes not just something we do, but who we are, blinding us to our need for God’s grace.
– Addressing pride is not about managing outward behaviors but about transforming the heart
Like the shepherd in the parable, we must go to the source of the pollution, not just filter the symptoms. Real change comes from allowing God to purify our hearts, not just our actions.
– The antidote to pride is humility, which God honors and blesses
We cultivate humility through honest prayer—asking God to reveal our hearts—through confession, and by immersing ourselves in Scripture to learn from Christ’s example. Humility is not self-deprecation but a right understanding of ourselves before God.
Reflection Questions
- Looking at the list of prideful behaviors listed above, which one do you most relate to? How has it affected your relationships or spiritual life?
- Norm warned that repeated prideful actions can shape our identity, not just our behavior. Can you think of a time when pride blinded you to your own need for grace? How did you become aware of it?
- The parable of the shepherd and the polluted stream suggests that real change comes from addressing the source, not just the symptoms. What are some “surface” ways you’ve tried to deal with pride? What would it look like to let God change your heart instead?
- The antidote to pride is humility, which is cultivated through honest prayer, confession, and time in Scripture. Which of these practices do you find most challenging? What is one step you can take this week to grow in humility?
- Norm mentioned that pride doesn’t just affect us, but also those around us. Is there a relationship in your life that has been impacted by pride? What would it look like to approach that relationship with humility this week?
Watch the Message
Worship Songs from Nov 2
- “All Hail King Jesus”
- “Agnus Dei”
- “The Blood”
- “One Look” (after the message)
- “Worthy” (after the message)
Listen to the songs we play on Sundays by clicking the image below to access our Spotify playlist!
