BE INSPIRED || HEART CHECK
📅 Theme: PRIDE – Thursday, July 24
🗣Minister SAHR KARIMU
🌞 Good Morning, Family!
💌 I hope you woke up with joy, peace, and purpose today.
As we rise and shine this new day, let’s also rise in humility.
Today Let’s talk about something very subtle but very deadly – PRIDE.
Imagine: someone who suffered most of their life finally gets an education, a job, a house, a car… life finally turns around. But slowly, without even realizing, they begin to see themselves above others.
💭 They now look down on friends who are still struggling.
💭 They dismiss others because they don’t dress the same.
💭 They feel superior because they finally “made it.”
👀 Does this sound familiar? Let’s do a heart check today. 💔🛑
📖 LET’S LOOK AT BIBLICAL STORIES OF PRIDE
- Lucifer (Isaiah 14:12–15) – “I will ascend into heaven…” His pride led to rebellion and his fall from glory.
- Pharaoh (Exodus 5:2) – Arrogantly asked, “Who is the Lord?” and resisted God until plagues broke him.
- King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4) – Took credit for his vast empire; God humbled him to live like a beast until he acknowledged divine sovereignty.
- Haman (Esther 3–7) – Proudly plotted against Mordecai, but was hanged on the very gallows he built.
- King Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26) – Grew proud in power, unlawfully entered the temple, and was struck with leprosy.
- The Pharisee (Luke 18:10–14) – Boasted in prayer about his righteousness; Jesus praised the humble tax collector instead.
- The Rich Young Ruler (Matthew 19:16–22; Mark 10:17–27; Luke 18:18–23) – Claimed to follow all commandments but couldn’t part with wealth when Jesus told him to. Pride in his possessions and status kept him from full surrender.
- King Saul (1 Samuel 13 & 15) – Disobeyed God out of pride, offered sacrifices unlawfully, and spared what God told him to destroy. Lost his kingdom.
- Goliath (1 Samuel 17) – Mocked the armies of Israel and God; his arrogance led to his downfall by a humble shepherd boy.
- Sennacherib (King of Assyria) (2 Kings 18–19) – Spoke arrogantly against God and mocked Him; God destroyed his army overnight.
- Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:12–19) – After recovery, pride crept in. He showed off his wealth to Babylonian envoys, leading to a prophecy of future exile.
- Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:9–24) – Wanted to buy the power of the Holy Spirit, driven by pride and desire for spiritual status.
- Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1–11) – Lied about their offering, wanting to appear generous. Pride in appearance over honesty led to their deaths.
💡 BUT WHAT IS PRIDE⁉️
➡️Greek word: “hubris” – excessive pride or self-confidence.
➡️Hebrew word: “ga’ava” – arrogance, haughtiness.
So PRIDE is an inflated view of one’s self-worth, abilities, or status – often at the expense of others.
🔎 TYPES OF PRIDE
to list but few
✍Spiritual Pride – Thinking you’re more righteous or holier than others.
✍Material Pride – Boasting about your wealth, appearance, or social status.
✍Intellectual Pride – Believing you’re smarter or more knowledgeable than others.
✍Cultural/Racial Pride – Considering your ethnicity or background superior to others.
🧩 WHAT CAUSES PRIDE❓
⚫ Success without thanksgiving.
⚫ Comparison and competition.
⚫ Rejection or insecurity turned into arrogance.
⚫ Lack of humility or submission to God.
🕒 WHEN DOES PRIDE BEGIN?
It’s deeper than you think 😊
👿For Lucifer — Pride originated in heaven before the fall, when the once-glorious angel desired to exalt himself above God. Isaiah 14:12-15 reveals how Lucifer’s heart became lifted up in pride, leading to his rebellion and eventual downfall.
👥For us Humans — Pride entered humanity’s story in the Garden of Eden. In Genesis 3, Eve’s desire to be like God—knowing good and evil—marked the first act of pride, a longing to elevate oneself above God’s command and order.
✍So its generic cause it’s also an act of sin
✍The Heart of Pride — Pride does not begin with outward actions but in the inner thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Jesus teaches in Mark 7:21-23 that it is from within the heart—thoughts, intentions, desires- that sinful behaviors, including pride, flow. Pride is essentially an inward elevation of self that first takes root as a thought before it shapes our words and deeds.
🤯LET’S EXPLORE THE BEAUTY BEFORE THE FALL
PRIDE’S TRAGIC COST
- Lucifer (Isaiah 14:12–15)
Once a glorious and majestic angel, Lucifer shone with splendor in heaven. His beauty and status were unrivaled, but his heart whispered, “I will ascend into heaven… I will be like the Most High.” This prideful ambition led to rebellion, tearing him from glory to eternal downfall.
Lesson: Even the greatest can fall when pride blinds the heart. - Pharaoh (Exodus 5:2)
Pharaoh was a powerful ruler, commanding vast armies and riches. Yet his arrogance blinded him to God’s authority—“Who is the Lord that I should obey Him?” His hardened heart resisted God’s will until devastating plagues shattered his prideful grip.
Lesson: Arrogance against God invites destruction. - King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4)
As the ruler of a mighty empire, Nebuchadnezzar basked in his power and achievements, crediting himself alone. God humbled him by stripping away his kingdom and sanity, making him live like a beast until he acknowledged that “the Most High rules the kingdom of men.”
Lesson: True greatness recognizes divine sovereignty. - Haman (Esther 3–7)
Haman’s pride in his position led him to plot the destruction of Mordecai and the Jews. He arrogantly built a gallows to execute Mordecai, only to be hanged on it himself.
Lesson: Prideful schemes often become the trap of the proud. - King Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26)
Uzziah’s reign was marked by success and might, but pride led him to unlawfully enter the temple to offer incense—a role for priests only. His act of presumption brought leprosy as a visible mark of his fall.
Lesson: Pride leads to overstepping God’s boundaries. - The Pharisee (Luke 18:10–14)
The Pharisee prayed boasting of his righteousness, comparing himself favorably to others. Jesus, however, exalted the humble tax collector, showing that pride in self-righteousness blocks true fellowship with God.
Lesson: Humility honors God, pride distances us. - The Rich Young Ruler (Matthew 19:16–22)
This man proudly claimed to obey all commandments, but his attachment to wealth became a stumbling block. When Jesus asked him to surrender all, pride in his possessions stopped him from following fully.
Lesson: Pride in material security hinders spiritual surrender. - King Saul (1 Samuel 13 & 15)
Saul’s kingship began with promise, but pride led him to disobey God’s commands—offering sacrifices himself and sparing enemies. His disobedience cost him God’s favor and the kingdom.
Lesson: Prideful disobedience has grave consequences. - Goliath (1 Samuel 17)
Goliath, a giant warrior, mocked Israel and God, confident no one could defeat him. His arrogance blinded him to God’s power, and a humble shepherd boy struck him down.
Lesson: Pride underestimates God’s strength and the humble. - Sennacherib, King of Assyria (2 Kings 18–19)
This fierce king arrogantly blasphemed God and threatened Jerusalem. God’s judgment came swiftly—his army was destroyed overnight.
Lesson: Prideful blasphemy brings swift destruction. - Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:12–19)
Hezekiah, after miraculous healing, showed pride by boasting to Babylonian envoys about his wealth. This act invited future judgment and exile on Judah.
Lesson: Pride can undo even miraculous blessings. - Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:9–24)
Simon desired spiritual power for status and tried to buy the Holy Spirit’s gift. His pride and misunderstanding led to rebuke and a call for repentance. Lesson: Pride corrupts true spirituality. - Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1–11)
This couple lied about their offering to appear generous. Their pride in outward appearance over honesty led to sudden judgment.
Lesson: Pride and hypocrisy are deadly before God.
⚠️ WHAT LED TO THEIR FALL❓
➡️ Self-exaltation.
➡️ Comparing themselves to God.
➡️ Belittling others.
➡️ Refusing correction.
⛓️ WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THEIR FALL ?
😏Lucifer – Cast out of heaven and became Satan.
😏Pharaoh – Lost his army in the Red Sea.
😏Nebuchadnezzar – Lost his mind and lived as a beast until he repented.
😏Haman – Executed on the gallows he built.
😏Uzziah – Struck with leprosy and died isolated.
😏The Pharisee – Rejected by Jesus; the humble man was justified instead.
😏The Rich Young Ruler – Walked away sorrowful; lost the chance to follow Jesus.
😏King Saul – Rejected as king and died in battle.
😏Goliath – Killed by David with a sling and a stone.
😏Sennacherib – Army destroyed by an angel; later assassinated by his sons.
😏Hezekiah – Spared, but his pride led to prophecy of future exile.
😏Simon the Sorcerer – Rebuked by Peter; told to repent.
😏Ananias and Sapphira – Died instantly after lying to the Holy Spirit.
“Pride goes before destruction…” – Proverbs 16:18 🧨
😞 EFFECTS OF PRIDE
In God’s Sight:
▪️God hates it – Proverbs 6:16–17.
▪️He opposes the proud – James 4:6.
▪️He brings judgment to the proud – Obadiah 1:3–4.
In Our Relationships:
▪️Pride leads to arguments.
▪️Blocks forgiveness and reconciliation.
▪️Makes leaders unteachable.
▪️Destroys marriages, friendships, and workplaces.
✝️ HOW TO ESCAPED PRIDE 🏃♂️🏃♀️💨
✔Surrender to Christ as your Lord and savior
✔Regular heart-checks.
✔Embrace humility.
✔Submit to spiritual authority.
✔Serve others without seeking praise.
🧠 PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECT
Pride is a self-defense mechanism from insecurity.
🗣️ “We inflate to avoid being deflated.” – Dr. Tim Keller
💓 PHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECT
Pride activates the brain’s reward system – makes you feel good temporarily but blocks empathy and humility long-term.
🧬 NEUROLOGICAL ASPECT
Pride affects the prefrontal cortex (judgment, self-awareness) and dopamine pathways (pleasure). It can become addictive.
🤴👸LEADERSHIP INSIGHT
Pride is the downfall of many great leaders.
A proud leader becomes unteachable, disconnected, and eventually alone.
True leadership is servant leadership – Jesus washed feet! (John 13)
🗨️ “Before you lead others, you must master leading your own heart.” – John Maxwell
🧠 LET’S LOOK AT QUOTES FROM FAMOUS PEOPLE
😊”Pride makes us artificial, humility makes us real.” – Thomas Merton
😊”The higher we soar, the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly.” – Friedrich Nietzsche
😊”Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.” – C.S. Lewis
📌 KEY LESSONS
✍Pride is subtle and deadly.
✍It begins in the heart.
✍It affects your walk with God and your relationships.
✍Only humility can break pride.
🛐LET’S PRAY🙏🏼
Heavenly Father,
We come before You with hearts bowed in humility. We acknowledge that pride can easily rise within us—sometimes silently, sometimes loudly. Just as pride caused Lucifer to fall and led Eve to disobey, we recognize how dangerous it is when we desire to elevate ourselves above others or above Your will.
Lord, we ask that You search our hearts and reveal any form of pride—whether it’s spiritual pride, thinking we’re more righteous than others…
Material pride, boasting in what we have…
Intellectual pride, believing we know better…
Or cultural and racial pride, assuming superiority over others.
Cleanse us, O God.
Teach us to be more like Jesus, who—though being God—humbled Himself and served others. May His humility be our example in every relationship, every conversation, and every decision.
Holy Spirit, help us to walk in lowliness of heart. Remind us daily that everything we have is by grace. Let us boast only in the cross of Christ, not in ourselves.
Together we say: Less of us, and more of You.
In Jesus’ mighty name we pray,
Amen. 🙏
🔊 DECLARE
🗣️ “Lord, I humble myself before You. I repent of every prideful thought and action. Help me see others through Your eyes. I choose humility. I choose service. I choose Jesus! Amen.”
🙌🏾 PROPHETIC DECLARATION
“I decree and declare, every root of pride in your life is uprooted in Jesus’ name. May your heart be clothed with humility. May you rise in grace without arrogance. May your promotion never turn to destruction. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
🧾 CONCLUSION
Pride is deceptive – it starts small, but it grows big. Watch your heart. Submit your success. Celebrate without comparing.
Let’s choose humility. Let’s stay real. Let’s stay low so God can lift us high! 🌾
🔑 TODAY’S WHISPER:
“Lord, help me to see others through Your eyes, not mine.”
💭 REMEMBER:
🪞 It’s not about showing off—it’s about showing Christ.
Have a peaceful, powerful, and humble day ahead!☺️🥰🫂
