Keeping Grace Flowing

James 4:1–6

While you can never lose your salvation, you can dam up the grace of God in your life by your attitudes and behavior. Proverbs 6:16–17 states that God hates pride.


Dr. Don McMinn, in his book Spiritual Strongholds, defines pride as "inordinate self–esteem, vainglory, preoccupation with one’s self."


McMinn lists some characteristics of pride: "selfish, ostentatious, showy, haughty, egotistical, vain, conceited, loves self, pompous, arrogant, immodest, contentious, narrow–minded, opinionated, loud, boastful, materialistic, demanding, moody, critical, reluctant to accept criticism, highly competitive, desire to always be in control, refusal to admit one’s weaknesses, inflated sense of one’s abilities or opinion, inability to accept God’s forgiveness."


McMinn’s first recommended solution to pride is to develop humility: "At least three times the Bible instructs us to ‘humble ourselves’ (Matthew 18:4, James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:6), so humility can be self–induced. Humility involves confessing our dependence upon God and respect for other people. The Bible promises wisdom (Proverbs 11:2), good tidings (Isaiah 61:1), and honor (Proverbs 15:33) to those who are humble."


All other sins cry out, "I have a need." Pride is the only sin that cries out, "I need nothing. I can manage." And that is exactly why God hates it.