Day 21: 3 Types of Pride

There are three types of pride. In this devotional, we will look at the first kind: Full of Self. Here’s the story of how God began to deliver me. From the 40 Days of Daily Bread Series.

There are three types of pride. Today we will look at the first kind: Full of Self

If you knew me during my teen years you probably saw the pride embedded in my life. I was blind to it. I was receiving counsel by my parents and another lady who helped mentor me for years.

One day they sat me down and basically told me straight up: Kelly you have pride. My assignment was to write on a card the following words to keep with me at all times: KELLY IS NOTHING.

At first I was highly offended, but then they explained. Of course I was something in God’s eyes, but because I was way-too-much-something in my eyes, then I had to have this “reminder card.”

My assignment continued. I was to do a study on pride and humility and then teach what I had learned to the young adults.

Cool! I like that. I get to be the teacher.

They saw right through that and said I wasn’t getting to teach because I had “arrived,” but because God was going to deliver me. They asked me if I was willing, and I succumbed. Deep down I truly wanted to be free.

I learned there are three types of pride. Today we will look at the first kind:

Full of Self Type of Pride

The first type of pride falls into the “full of yourself” category: arrogant, haughty, self-important, vain. The male ego is not pride, but is what God put into males to be the protector and provider of his domain, and is therefore part of his nature. However, it can get out of hand.

Pride is the opposite of humility. Pride boasts reliance on one’s own ability, erasing one’s need for God. It is fed on a desire to receive praise rather than giving praise to God.

Pride was the origin of sin. When Lucifer was in Heaven he wanted to be like God (Isaiah 14:12-15). Lucifer planted his seed of pride in the garden. The devil lied to Eve because he wanted them to serve himself instead of God. Pride is a complete self-focus. Have you ever heard of a sin that wasn’t motivated by a focus on self? Look at the 10 Commandments. Self-focus is written all over them.

Apply the Word

This section is to help us respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22 ESV

• Ask God to give you a revelation about pride as we go through this mini-series.
• And for the brave, ask God to show you where you have the full of self type of pride in your life.
• Write what He shows you in your journal as well as the verse below.

Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty,but humility comes before honor. Proverbs 18:12 ESV

If pride is in someone’s heart, what would happen if it was allowed to stay there? We’ll find out in Day 22! 

Pride boasts reliance on ones own ability, erasing one's need for God. Click to Tweet