It happens to a lot of us. Just when we think we’re doing pretty well in the whole “walking with the Lord” department, the great granddaddy of sins aims its deadly arrow and hits us right in the chest: pride. It sneaks in quietly, convinces us we have it all figured out, and before long, we’ve pushed God to the side and placed ourselves back on the throne of our hearts. We see it in staff meetings when we push our own agenda instead of listening. We feel it at home when we snap at our wives over small stuff because we hate being wrong. Pride tells us our way is best, our reputation matters most, and admitting weakness makes us less of a man. But Scripture cuts straight through that lie.
The Ugly Face of Pride in Our Daily Grind
As men in pursuit of biblical manhood, we all need to stay alert for the insidious creep of pride. When we chase success at work without caring who we step on, treat Bible study like we already know all the answers, or lead our families with a heavy hand because deep down we fear losing control, that’s pride having its way with our hearts.
Pride builds walls between us and the men we mentor, between us and the God who saved us. Jesus warned about this in Luke 18:11-12 (NIV), where the Pharisee stands praying, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.” That guy thought his righteousness put him above everyone else in God’s eyes. Sound familiar? We do the same when we compare our spiritual wins to another brother’s failures.
Killing pride means dying to self every single day. It hurts. It demands we lay down our ego and pick up the cross. Paul gets real about this battle in Galatians 2:20 (NIV): “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.” We crucify that old man who wants the spotlight. When we finally let go of our self-obsession, freedom rushes in. Marriages heal because we listen instead of lecture. Kids respect us because we model humility. Work becomes true service, not a stage upon which we perform. Communities see Christ in us instead of the false idol of our polished image.
Practical Steps to Starve Pride Out
We fight this war with real actions, not just good intentions. Start small, stay consistent, and watch God work.
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Confess it out loud to a trusted brother. Find an older guy who has walked this road and spill the specifics. This is no time for vague prayer requests; name the moments you exalted yourself and pray for the Spirit to have victory over your pride.
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Serve in ways nobody notices. Take the trash out at church without telling a soul. Wash dishes after the men’s breakfast. Mow the widow’s lawn on Saturday morning.
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Ask for feedback and mean it. Ask your wife or a close friend, “Where do you see pride in me?” Then shut up and take notes.
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Study the Gospels and linger on the humility of Jesus, our Lord, washing feet. Read it slowly, picturing yourself in that room, and let the Servant King reshape your heart.
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Fast from praise. Skip the social media likes for a week. Delete the app if you have to. Feel the itch and bring it to God instead.
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Memorize humility verses and pray them back. Make them your weapon when pride whispers in your ear.
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Celebrate other men’s wins louder than your own. Throw the party for the guy who just got promoted or led his first small group.
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Volunteer for the job everyone avoids. Clean bathrooms, set up chairs, whatever humbles you.
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Keep a gratitude journal focused on God’s grace, not on your achievements. End each day listing what He did, not what you pulled off.
Lean into these habits, brother, and pride loses its grip. We become the husbands, fathers, and leaders God calls us to be—men who point to Jesus, not ourselves.
Pride is the silent thief that robs us of intimacy with God, turning our prayers into performances and our worship into self-congratulation. It keeps us from the throne of grace because we’re too busy defending our own little fiefdom. But when we release it, when we stop clutching our reputations and start clinging to the cross, we find the Father waiting with open arms.
As C.S. Lewis put it, “Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less.” Let’s lay pride down today, brothers, and walk free in the presence of the One who sees us, knows us, and loves us still.
Die to self today; live for Christ forever.
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Ready for more battles like this? Dive into the Man in the Mirror website for Bible studies, leadership tools, and discipleship guides tailored for men’s ministries. Grab resources to strengthen the guys in your church, or connect with a mentor to grow alongside other brothers chasing after God.
