Minister’s Corner: Pride prevents growth

We have all, at one time or another, demonstrated a little pride in our lives. It certainly isn’t an enviable trait, especially for a Christian. Pride pushes self to the forefront; however, the Bible tells us we are to crucify the self. Here’s what the Bible says in James 4:6 (KJV), “...Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
Pride stifles a person’s spiritual growth. It places a stumbling block before God, from where all wisdom flows. When the head starts swelling, the mind stops growing. You can’t grow up if you are living, walking and moving in pride.
Proverbs 26:12 (KJV) says, “Seesth thou a wise man in his own conceit? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Proverbs 10:17 says, “He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction, but he that refuseth reproof erreth.” You have lost your ability to learn when you are living in pride, and you’ve lost your ability to grow in all the vital areas of your life. Pity the poor man or woman who has a problem with pride and doesn’t know it. He or she is a spiritual leper but doesn’t recognize people are repulsed by him or her.
You can’t help a person who doesn’t know he or she needs help. You can’t give assurance to an individual who says, “I don’t need anyone’s assistance.” Can you see how pride prevents growth? We need to learn to walk in humility before our God and others. We need a teachable spirit so we can learn and grow.