"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
James 4:6 In his booklet
From Pride to Humility, Stuart Scott has compiled
an insightful list of 30
biblical indicators as to whether pride is resident in our hearts. Read these slowly and prayerfully.
1. Complaining against or passing judgment on
God (
Numbers 14:1-4,
9,
11;
Romans 9:20)
2. A lack of gratitude (
2 Chronicles 32:25)
3. Anger (
Proverbs 28:25;
Matthew 20:1-16)
4. Seeing yourself as better than others (Luke
7:36-50)
5. Having an inflated view of your importance,
gifts and abilities (
Acts 12:21-23)
6. Being focused on the lack of your gifts and
abilities (
1 Cor. 12:14-25)
7. Perfectionism (
Matthew 23:24-28)
8. Talking too much (
Proverbs 10:19)
9. Talking too much about yourself (Proverbs
27:2;
Galatians 6:3)
10. Seeking independence or control (1
Corinthians 1:10-13;
Ephesians 5:21)
11. Being consumed with what others think
(
Galatians 1:10)
12. Being devastated or angered by criticism
(
Proverbs 13:1)
13. Being unteachable (
Proverbs 19:20;
John 9:13-34)
14. Being sarcastic, hurtful, degrading, talking
down to them(
Proverbs 12:18,
24)
15. A lack of service (
Galatians 5:13, Ephesians
2:10)
16. A lack of compassion (
Matthew 5:7,
18:23-35)
17. Being defensive or blame-shifting (Genesis
3:12-13;
Proverbs 12:1)
18. A lack of admitting when you are wrong
(
Proverbs 10:17)
19. A lack of asking forgiveness (Matthew
5:23-24)
20. A lack of biblical prayer (
Luke 18:10-14)
21. Resisting authority or being disrespectful
(
1 Peter 2:13-17)
22. Voicing preferences or opinions when not
asked (
Philippians 2:1-4)
23. Minimizing your own sin and shortcomings
(
Matthew 7:3-5)
24. Maximizing others’ sin and shortcomings
(
Matthew 7:3-5;
Luke 18:9-14)
25. Being impatient or irritable with others
(
Ephesians 4:31-32)
26. Being jealous or envious (1 Corinthians
13:4)
27. Using others (
Matthew 7:12; Philippians
2:3-4)
28. Being deceitful by covering up sins, faults,
and mistakes (
Proverbs 11:3;
28:13)
29. Using attention-getting tactics (1 Peter
3:3,4)
30. Not having close relationships (Proverbs
18:1-2;
Hebrews 10:24-25)
"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
James 4:6 Here's more great stuff to read slowly and prayerfully from Stuart Scott's
From Pride to Humility:
A list of 24 manifestations of what Christ exalting humility should
produce in your life.
1. Recognizing and trusting God’s character
(
Psalm 119:66)
2. Seeing yourself as having no right to
question or judge an Almighty and Perfect God (
Psalm 145:17;
Romans 9:19-23)
3. Focusing on Christ (
Philippians 1:21;
Hebrews 12:1-2)
4. Biblical praying and a great deal of it (1
Thessalonians 5:17;
1 Timothy 2:1-2)
5. Being overwhelmed with God’s undeserved
grace and goodness (
Psalm 116:12-19)
6. Thankfulness and gratitude in general
towards others (
1 Thess. 5:18)
7. Being gentle and patient (Colossians
3:12-14)
8. Seeing yourself as no better than others
(
Romans 12:16;
Ephesians 3:8)
9. Having an accurate view of your gifts and
abilities (
Romans 12:3)
10. Being a good listener (
James 1:19;
Philippians 2:3-4)
11. Talking about others only if it is good or
for their good (
Proverbs 11:13)
12. Being gladly submissive and obedient to
those in authority (
Rom. 12:1-2,
13:1-2)
13. Preferring others over yourself (Romans
12:10)
14. Being thankful for criticism or reproof
(
Proverbs 9:8,
27:5-6)
15. Having a teachable spirit (
Proverbs 9:9)
16. Seeking always to build up
others (
Ephesians 4:29)
17. Serving (
Galatians 5:13)
18. A quickness in admitting
when you are wrong (
Proverbs 29:23)
19. A quickness in granting and
asking for forgiveness (
Colossians 3:12-14)
20. Repenting of sin as a way
of life (
Colossians 3:1-14;
1 Timothy 4:7-9)
21. Minimizing others’ sins or
shortcomings in comparison to one’s own (
Matthew 7:3-4)
22. Being genuinely glad for
others (
Romans 12:15)
23. Being honest and open about
who you are and the areas in which you need growth (
Philippians 3:12-14;
Galatians 6:2)
24. Possessing close
relationships (
Acts 20:31-38)
