HOW TO KILL PRIDE: 1 Corinthians 4:7

DISCUSSION

Read verse 7. What is the underlying problem that was causing the Corinthians to be divisive, which led to their quarreling? According to verse 7, what do we as saints need to remember in order to humble ourselves, and therefore live in harmony with one another?

Think on these fourteen truths about pride from the Scriptures:

I) Pride is thinking of yourself more highly than you ought to think (Romans 12:3). II) It is pride that is at the root of much of the disunity and disfunction in the church (1 Corinthians 4:6; 5:2; 11:22). III) Pride leads to disgrace and foolishness (Proverbs 11:2). IV) Pride produces destruction and falling (Proverbs 16:18). V) Pride is the root of Atheism (Psalm 10:4). VI) Pride is deceitful (Obadiah‬ 1:3‬). VII) Pride is the root of sinful anxiety (1 Peter 5:6-7). VIII) Pride is Demonic (1 Timothy 3:6). IX) Christ hates pride (Proverbs 8:13). X) Pride opposes God’s glory so God opposes the proud (1 Peter 5:5). XI) The wicked wear pride like a necklace (Psalm 73:6). XII) Those who do not repent of their pride and humble themselves before the Lord Jesus Christ will be utterly thrown down on the day of judgement (Isaiah 2:11-12). XIII) Not one place in the entirety of God’s Word are we told to “Be humble.” We are commanded to “Humble ourselves” (1 Peter 5:5). XIV) It was not pride, but humility that saved all we who believe! Christ humbled Himself by becoming a man, dying in place of sinners like you and me, and even dying in the most horrific way imaginable—becoming the curse of God for sin spiritually and being slaughtered on a cross physically (Philippians 2:5-8).

DOCTRINE: The way to kill pride is to constantly remind yourself that everything you have, both spiritually and physically, is a sovereign gift of God.

I. PRIDE-KILLER TRUTH ONE: IF YOU ARE IN CHRIST, YOU ARE SAVED BY GOD’S GRACE ALONE (1 Corinthians 4:7a)

Think of all the gifts of salvation God has given you, believer:

I) The election of God was a gift that God gave you by grace alone (Ephesians 1:4). II) The atonement of Christ was a gift you received by God’s grace alone (John 10:11,18). III) The calling of the Holy Spirit you experienced was a gift that you received by God’s grace alone (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). IV) The regeneration of the Holy Spirit you experienced was a gift that you received by God’s grace alone (John 3:8). V) The conversion you experienced by repenting of sin and trusting in Christ was a gift that you received by God’s grace alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). VI) The justification you had pronounced to you by God the Father was a gift you received by God’s grace alone (Titus 3:7). VII) The adoption by God the Father you experience even now is a gift you received and by grace alone (Galatians 4:4-5). VIII) The sanctification of the Holy Spirit you experience even now is a gift you continually receive by God’s grace alone (Philippians 2:12-13). IX) The preservation you experience, waking up every day believing on Christ, is a gift you receive by God’s grace alone (1 Peter 1:5). X) The glorification you will experience one day is a gift you will receive by God’s grace alone (Romans 8:30).

II. PRIDE-KILLER TRUTH TWO: EVERYTHING YOU HAVE IS A GIFT FROM GOD THAT YOU DO NOT DESERVE (1 Corinthians 4:7a)

I) Let me first apply this physically:

(I) What talents or abilities do you have? (II) What family do you have? (III) Are you disciplined? (IV) Do you have a keen Intellect? (V) How is your Memory? (VI) Are you good at organization? (VII) What possessions do you have? (VIII) Do you have wealth? (Deuteronomy 7:1 7-18). (IX) Do you have good health? All these are gifts given to you by God that you do not deserve.

II) Secondly, let me apply this spiritually:

(I) What fruit of the Holy Spirit is being produced in your life? “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control.” (II) What progress has your soul made in sanctification? (III) What spiritual gifts do you have? These too are gifts given to you by God that you do not deserve.

III) Though in 1 Corinthians 4:7 Paul is specifically talking about the good, in order to humble us, let me thirdly also apply this concerning evil:

(I) Do you have sickness? (II) Do you have afflictions? (III) Are you being persecuted? Even these are gifts given to you by God that He will use for His glory and your good.

III. PRIDE-KILLER TRUTH THREE: PRIDE CAN ONLY FLOURISH IN A HEART THAT IS ACTING LIKE THE GOSPEL IS NOT TRUE (1 Corinthians 4:7c)


Use these truths to kill your pride and humble yourself before God!

Can you say with Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:30, “Because of [God I am] in Christ Jesus, who became to [me] wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption”?

Can you, believers, say with Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:10,
“By the grace of God I am what I am…”?

Can you who are in Christ say with the Psalmist in Psalm 115:1, “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!”?