“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” – Proverbs 16:18
The Source of Our Pride
As believers, we often find our pride rooted in our relationship with Christ. The more we come to know Him, the more we realize that our achievements are not solely our own doing; rather, they are blessings from God. Our pride should be in Christ alone, as He has chosen to love us and redeem us despite our shortcomings. When we remember that it is through His grace that we find our worth, we are less likely to boast in ourselves and more likely to give the glory back to God. This understanding allows us to cultivate an immense gratitude and affection toward our Savior, grounding our pride in His everlasting love.
Galatians 6:14
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” – Galatians 6:14
1 Corinthians 1:31
“Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.'” – 1 Corinthians 1:31
Psalm 34:2
“My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.” – Psalm 34:2
Jeremiah 9:24
“But let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight.” – Jeremiah 9:24
Philippians 3:3
“For we are the circumcision, who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh.” – Philippians 3:3
Humility Before God
We must remember that our pride in Christ must always be accompanied by humility. As we acknowledge Him as the source of our strength and talents, we also realize the importance of being humble before God. He calls us to approach Him not with arrogance, but with a heart that recognizes our dependence on His grace. Humility before God encourages us to be more reflective and to seek His guidance, rather than relying solely on our wisdom. When we are humble, we invite God’s presence into our lives, allowing us to experience His power more significantly and bringing us closer to Him.
James 4:10
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” – James 4:10
Proverbs 22:4
“Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.” – Proverbs 22:4
Luke 14:11
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Luke 14:11
1 Peter 5:6
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” – 1 Peter 5:6
Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:3
Setting Our Minds on Christ
Having pride in Christ means that we are intentional in setting our minds on Him. Each day presents us with choices that can either draw us closer to Him or separate us from His love. When we prioritize Christ in our lives, we can find joy and purpose this pride is based on His truth rather than our circumstances. As we choose to focus on Him through prayer, worship, and reading His Word, we build our lives upon a foundation that cannot be shaken. By continually seeking Him, we embody the pride of being a child of God.
Colossians 3:2
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” – Colossians 3:2
Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2
Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” – Isaiah 26:3
2 Corinthians 10:5
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 10:5
The Influence of Faith
Pride in Christ is also about the influence He has on our lives through our faith. As we walk by faith and not by sight, we learn to rely on Him in all situations. This reliance on Christ builds a foundation of trust and confidence, helping us to face challenges with courage, knowing that we are never alone. Our faith in Him inspires not only us but also those around us. When we express our pride in our Savior, we become vessels of light to others who are searching for hope and reassurance.
2 Timothy 1:12
“That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.” – 2 Timothy 1:12
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1
Matthew 21:22
“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” – Matthew 21:22
Mark 9:23
“Jesus said, ‘If you can’?” “Everything is possible for one who believes.” – Mark 9:23
John 14:13
“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” – John 14:13
Walking in God’s Will
Pride in Christ teaches us to walk in His will for our lives. This means we recognize that our plans may not always align with His, and we must be open to His guidance. It can be challenging to set aside our desires and surrender our paths to Him, but when we do, we begin to experience profound joy and fulfillment. Following God’s will allows us to live in obedience. It’s a beautiful expression of our pride as we trust in His divine plan for our lives and the lives of others around us.
Romans 12:1
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” – Romans 12:1
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
Matthew 6:10
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” – Matthew 6:10
1 John 2:17
“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” – 1 John 2:17
Ephesians 5:17
“Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” – Ephesians 5:17
Joy in Our Identity
Finding our pride in Christ brings us joy in our identity as His children. When we understand who we are in Christ, we begin to experience true fulfillment. Our identity is defined not by our failures or successes, but by the love He has for us. This joy fuels our daily lives and encourages us to share our faith with others. As we embrace our identity, we realize that we are united with Him in love and purpose, ready to make an impact for His glory.
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20
1 Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – 1 Peter 2:9
John 15:15
“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” – John 15:15
Romans 8:37
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” – Romans 8:37
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Final Thoughts
As we walk in pride that is rooted in Christ, we discover a unique strength that inspires us to love and serve others. When we humble ourselves before God, learn His will, and find joy in our identity in Him, we are transformed. Our faith becomes a powerful testimony to those around us as we live according to His purpose. Remember that pride in Christ is about glorifying Him and recognizing the beauty of His grace in our lives. We can continue to explore other enriching topics, such as fullness in Christ and foundation in Christ, which will deepen our understanding of our faith journey.