Fighting Pride and Cultivating Humility

The final verse of Daniel 4 says that God is able to humble those who walk in pride.

Here are a few practical strategies for fighting pride and cultivating humility that I gave at the end of the sermon Sunday:

1. Recognize that pride is already a major problem in your life. Pride is not like the flu. We don’t catch it every now and then. No, pride is at work in us constantly. Recognizing and repenting of it is the first step to fighting it.

2. Recognize that everything you have is a gift from God. You have never accomplished anything on your own. God has blessed you so that you would give Him the glory, not take it for yourself. Do you consciously give God glory for everything good in your life?

3. Become familiar with the greatness of God. That’s the message of Daniel 4: Fight pride by recognizing the infinite worth of your Creator and Redeemer. Proud people have a small God. Humble people know God’s power, sovereignty, and glory. Only God is great.

4. Constantly survey the wondrous Cross on which the prince of glory died.
-Jesus died for our pride. He bore the wrath of God that our pride deserves. Jesus was treated like an animal (beaten and mocked) for our arrogant attitudes.
-The broken body and spilled blood of Jesus Christ is sufficient to cover the offense of our pride.
-Pride and arrogance die at the foot of the cross. It is impossible to look into the bloody face of the Savior and boast of your achievements and superior worth.
-John Owen counseled: “Fill your affections with the cross of Christ, that there may be no room for sin.” Replace pride with a love for Jesus Christ, who willingly gave His life in your place.