Text: “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” — James 4:6
Introduction
Pride is the oldest sin in the universe, yet it wears the freshest faces every day. It was pride that turned angels into devils, that cast Lucifer from the heights of heaven to the horrors of hell. Pride builds no altars, yet demands worship. It loves to sit on the throne of the heart, refusing to bow even when truth confronts it.
Of all sins, pride is the most deceptive. It can dress itself in morality, walk in religious garments, and sing with the saints. It is the shadow that follows virtue, the poison in praise, the silent thief of grace.
James tells us a terrible truth: God resisteth the proud. He does not merely ignore them. He resists them. He stands against them. And no man has ever prevailed who had God as his opponent.
This sermon will expose the spirit of pride, show its danger, trace its roots, and then point us to the only place where the proud can find healing—at the foot of the cross.
I. The Nature of Pride
Pride is not merely thinking too much of oneself. It is thinking of oneself apart from God. It is independence. It is self-exaltation. It is the heart saying, “I do not need Him.”
In Isaiah 14:13–14, we hear Lucifer speak: “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God… I will be like the most High.” Five times he said “I will.” That is pride—the gospel of self.
Pride compares, competes, criticizes. It is not content to receive; it must be recognized. It does not say, “God be glorified.” It whispers, “Let them see me.”
And pride has many faces:
- Moral pride: “I am better than others because I behave well.”
- Spiritual pride: “I am closer to God than others.”
- Intellectual pride: “I understand what others cannot.”
- Success pride: “I made it by my strength.”
- False humility: pretending to be lowly, while inwardly seeking applause.
All of these are rooted in self-worship.
II. The Danger of Pride
Pride is the enemy of grace. James 4:6 is thunderous: “God resisteth the proud.” The proud do not merely miss grace—they are opposed by the very Giver of it.
Proverbs 16:18 warns us: “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Pride is a staircase to ruin. Many have climbed its steps, only to find that it ends in a pit.
Let us consider what pride ruins:
- Pride ruined Satan.
He who was once an anointed cherub was cast down (Ezekiel 28:17). Pride blinded him to his dependence on God. - Pride ruined Adam and Eve.
The serpent whispered, “Ye shall be as gods.” And they reached for divinity—and fell into dust. - Pride ruined Pharaoh.
Ten plagues could not bend him. His pride hardened his heart, and he drowned in the Red Sea. - Pride ruined Nebuchadnezzar.
He boasted of his kingdom, and God drove him into the wilderness to eat grass like a beast (Daniel 4:30–33). - Pride ruins churches.
When pride enters the pulpit or the pew, revival flees. Pride breeds division, dead religion, and false doctrine.
Where pride lives, God departs.
III. The Signs of the Spirit of Pride
You may not wear a crown, but pride can still reign in your heart. How do we know when pride is present?
- Unwillingness to admit wrong.
Pride says, “I’m never the problem.” Humility says, “Search me, O God” (Psalm 139:23). - Prayerlessness.
A proud man rarely prays, for he believes he can manage on his own. But the humble soul lives at the throne of grace. - Critical spirit.
Pride loves to highlight the faults of others while ignoring its own (Luke 18:11). - Impatience with correction.
Proverbs 9:8 says, “Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee.” Pride cannot be taught. - Desire for recognition.
Pride hungers for applause. It is wounded when unseen. It performs not for God’s glory, but for man’s admiration.
Beloved, the spirit of pride is subtle. It often hides behind gifts, positions, or even suffering. But wherever it is, it must be exposed and expelled.
IV. God’s Response to Pride
The Scriptures are clear: God resisteth the proud.
This is no passive resistance. It is active opposition. The word “resist” in Greek is a military term meaning to set oneself in battle array against.
Imagine it: the Creator of the universe takes a stand against the proud. Heaven shuts its windows. Prayers bounce back. Doors close. Favor ceases. And the soul, once content, becomes restless and dry.
But—here is the gospel—God giveth grace to the humble. The same God who resists the proud opens His arms wide to the brokenhearted.
Isaiah 57:15 says, “I dwell… with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit.”
V. The Cure for Pride
There is only one cure for pride: the cross of Jesus Christ.
At the cross, all boasting dies. There, the sinner sees that salvation is not earned. There, the righteous see that their works are filthy rags. There, the proud are silenced.
Galatians 6:14 declares, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Would you kill pride? Then look to Calvary.
- See the Son of God stooping to wash feet.
- See Him silent before His accusers.
- See Him wounded for your sin.
And then say, “What am I, O Lord, that You should love me so?” Pride cannot live long in the shadow of the cross.
VI. How to Receive the Grace That Humbles
The way down is the way up. He that humbles himself shall be exalted (Luke 14:11). But how do we humble ourselves to receive grace?
- Confess your pride
Do not excuse it. Do not hide it in spiritual language. Name it. Repent of it. Cry out for cleansing. - Stay near the Word
The Bible is a mirror. It humbles us by showing us who we truly are. Live in it daily. - Embrace weakness
Pride seeks to be strong. But grace fills the low places. Say like Paul, “When I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). - Be quick to listen, slow to speak
Proud hearts love to be heard. Humble hearts love to learn. - Serve in secret
Serve when no one applauds. Pray when no one sees. Give when no one thanks you. This is the path of humility.