Selfishness vs Pride
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Selfishness comes from just not thinking about other people
Pride comes from thinking you’re better than other people
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Selfishness makes you ignore the fact that there is a problem
Pride makes you think everyone else is wrong/everyone is against you for no reason
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Selfishness looks like doing things your own way out of default
Pride looks like actively pushing to get your own way
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Selfishness often leads to inaction, or laziness
Pride often leads to self-righteous actions
King Nebuchadnezzar
Daniel 4:30
No more than twelve months after being warned by Daniel the prophet of God's displeasure with him, Nebuchadnezzar looked out across the great city of Babylon and said in his pride, "Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?
Daniel 4:31-33
While the words were still in his mouth, a voice spoke from heaven, King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses. At that very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles' feathers and his nails like birds' claws.
Nebuchadnezzar was later given the opportunity to repent and upon doing so he was given back his kingdom by God's grace. This is what he learned through his ordeal:
Daniel 4:34-37
At the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: for His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, 'What have You done?' At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.
It is not God’s desire to simply destroy or punish those that prideful. It is God’s desire that they would come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Jeremiah 13:8-10
Then the word of the Lord came to me: 9 “This is what the Lord says: ‘In the same way I will ruin the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem. These wicked people, who refuse to listen to my words, who follow the stubbornness of their hearts and go after other gods to serve and worship them, will be like this belt—completely useless!
Pride renders us completely useless.
How Do You Know If It's Pride In Your Life?
1) Hard to admit you're wrong
2) Concerned about who gets the credit
3) Crave recognition
4) Have to have a title to feel like you are valuable
5) Thinking you have no current needs/you’ve worked through all the major sins
6) "That's someone else's job"
7) "Everyone wants to be me/on my team"
8) Not seeking God regularly
