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PRIDE CHECK
101
Knowing your pride quotient and

dealing with it for profitable living
KAYODE P. PRAISE
Copyright © 2017 by Kayode Patrick Praise
PUBLISHED BY:
DAVID'S MIGHTY MEN PUBLISHING HOUSE
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All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version
(KJV) of the Bible, except otherwise stated. Scriptures quotations
marked NKJV are from the New King James Version © 1982 by
Thomas Nelson Inc. Scriptures quotations marked AMP are from
The Amplified® Bible, by the Lockman Foundation. Used by
permission
CONTENTS
DEDICATION…5
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT…6
APPRECIATION…7
INTRODUCTION…9
Chapter One: PRIDE; A PRODUCT OF THE SIN NATURE…14
Chapter Two: THERE IS A PLACE FOR YIU AT THE TOP IF

YOU ARE INTERESTED…22
Chapter Three: THE DISTRACTIONS OF PURSUIT…31
Chapter Four: SIGN POSTS ALONG THE ROAD OF PRIDE…40
Chapter Five: DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES OF PRIDE…68
Chapter Six: DEALING WITH PRIDE…77
Chapter Seven: LIFESTYLE OF HUMILITY…87
EPILOGUE…120
SUGGESTED MATERIALS FOR FURTHER STUDIES…125
ABOUT THE AUTHOR…126
ABOUT THIS BOOK…128

DEDICATION
To Jesus the greatest example of humility,

who made himself of no reputation, but took
upon him the form of a servant, and was made
in the likeness of men.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Big “well done” to my friends who proof read

and made contributions to this book, Joel
Ogbonna, Uncle C.Y. Nkem Ekeopara, David’s
Mighty men Publishing House Crew and
Better Life media.
Finally, thanks to Asbot Graphics for great

design and Printing works.
APPRECIATION
I am sincerely grateful to God for the gift of

Men and Mentors, whose giant steps are
worth emulating. You all have been
tremendous blessings to me. My Spiritual
parents Bishop David and Pastor Faith
Oyedepo from whom I've learnt how to
balance greatness with utmost spirituality
displayed in humility. Pst. Sam Adeyemi for
your expository teachings on the subject
matter which inspired this ‘Title’ and the
passion to continually live the lifestyle of
Humility both as a Leader and follower. May
God continually enrich your bank of
inspiration, Sir, I am grateful to all other
mentors beginning with Pst. Sunday Adegoke
of Total Restoration International Bible
Church (TRIBC), Daddy, and my bond to you
is just unexplainable.
I celebrate my precious wife, Oluwatowo Janet

Kayode, best of all companions to me. And I
appreciate everyone robbed and spoilt by the
Devil but refused to remain broken. Your
struggles with the spirit of Pride is over in
Jesus name!
Love y’all!
Pride Check 101 – Kayode Praise
INTRODUCTION
"Nothing Is Wrong with

Being Proud”
This thought is truly overwhelming and

almost inconceivable that someone will ever
think "Nothing Is Wrong with Being Proud”.
Of course someone can be proud of himself,
his achievements, and a relation’s
performance in an event of life or for being a
citizen of a great country or any prestigious
place on earth and so on. But to think about
nothing is wrong with ‘pride’ as an attitude or
attribute to a person is absurd.
9
The Bible puts it right as it says “pride goes

before destruction” which means indulgence
in pride guarantees irreparable destiny
bankruptcy. But every redeemed child of God
is destined to end up in greatness.
That is, there is a destiny of greatness locked

up in every child of God which must be
realized, discovered and pursued adequately
to make the most of life. While this book may
not be centred on discovery of our great
destiny in details it does have somewhat to do
with the pursuit of same.
On the road to greatness there are many pot

holes and distractive sign posts. The Bible at a
time through the mouth of the ‘preacher’
Solomon called them ‘little foxes that spoils
the vine’ they may look insignificant but are
mighty enough to make mighty men fall or
even delay the reality of heavy prophetic
10
mandates on such lives, ask Samson, David

and so on.
There are certain foxes that hinder and

ultimately destroy our vines. The vine in
scriptures could be likened to a place of
greatness.
It’s quite unfortunate that many people chase

greatness but forgot the state of the ‘Tyre’ they
are using to pursue greatness. Like a wise man
once said, Character is like a Tyre to the
vehicle of destiny, if it goes bad you’ll be
grounded. That is, bad or negative attitude is
like having a flat tyre, until you fix it, you go
nowhere. The choice is however yours to
make, either to go on in life by engaging the
right attitudes or wrong ones. It is clear that
every discovery in destiny delivers on the
choices of the individuals involve. God
speaking in Scriptures says, “… I called heaven
to bear record of this day that I have laid
11
before you; life and death, blessings or

curses… then He went ahead to say choose life
that you may live - Deut. 30:19 paraphrased.
This is why the pursuit of our glorious
destinies must be guarded jealously and
prepared for adequately.
Pride is one of the weapons that may not be

considered tangible enough to injure an ant
but are quite deadly. For a great door and
effectual is opened unto me, says Apostle Paul,
but there are many adversaries (1 Cor. 16:9).
Pride is one of such adversaries against the
glorious destiny of any man. There is a spirit
powering its operation and that is what we are
actually out against. Just as the gods of Egypt
in Ex. 12:12, the spirit of pride is an enemy of
our attaining greatness in life. However, it is
not enough to know that it can crash destinies
it is much important for this reader to know
whether he or she is under the attack of the
12
destructive pride or not, and to as well know

how to deal with it to a point of victory over it.
Why Pride you may ask? It is one of three

major distractions to pursuit of greatness
presented by the spirit of the world as
recorded in 1 John 2:15-17. It is called the
Pride of life. These distractions shall be talked
about soonest.
Songs of Solomon 2:15: Take

us the foxes, the little
foxes that spoil the vines:
for our vines have tender
grapes.
13
Chapter One: PRIDE; A PRODUCT

OF THE SIN NATURE
1 John 2:15-17: Love not the world, neither

the things that are in the world. If any man
loves the world, the love of the Father is not
in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the

flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of
life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust

thereof: but he that doeth the will of God
abideth forever.
When Christ came, He brought abundant life

to man but the ultimate of Satan’s work is to
destroy it. And one among the pathway to
14
man’s destruction by Satan was primarily

PRIDE (John 10:10, Pro 16:18). Satan tries to
put pride in man in order to stop his access to
abundant life. Bear in mind that, all that the
devil is out looking for in you is to ensure the
edge of security over and around you is broken
so that he can strike you down. You must
understand that every man has the tendency
for pride in him. It is the product of the sin
nature we inherited from Adam.
WHAT IS PRIDE?
In this context, I may not be too far from what

is on your mind about Pride. It is an excessive
overestimation of oneself or opinion. It
means; Conceit which equally talks about self
- importance, Boasting, Puffing – up or
haughtiness, pomposity and so on.
Pride is an offshoot of the ‘spirit of the world’.

It draws one’s desire and attention to the
15
things of this world (and most of the time)

above God. This is idolatry. Placing anything
above your creator automatically lures you
into the sin of idolatry. – Ex. 20:3-5/ Rom.
1:25. Pride in the heart gives birth to rebellion
and rebellion when not repented of will
produce an idol in the man or turns the fellow
into witchcraft (1 Samuel 15:23).
If Pride of life is engineered by the spirit of the

world, then Pride is spirit controlled. That is,
there is a spirit of pride that enforces its
manifestation in the life of a man. Hear the
preacher in Proverbs 16: verses 18 and 19 once
again, he said, Pride goes before destruction,
and a HAUGHTY SPIRIT before a fall. Better
it is to be of a humble SPIRIT with the lowly,
than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Evidently there is a spirit of pride as well as
there is a spirit of Humility.
16
1 Cor. 2:12: Now we have received, not the

spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of
God; that we might know the things that are
freely given to us of God.
The spirit of the world will not allow you to

know the things that are freely given to you by
God, so is Pride, it blinds the eyes of its
victims to their inheritance in God.
“I am not proud, but I am happy; and

happiness blinds, I think, more than
pride.” ― Alexandra Dumas, The Count
of Monte Cristo
The sin nature is controlled by the spirit of the

world and it is a mystery of iniquity. Many
people find themselves doing the things they
never would have thought they wanted doing,
17
including becoming so abnormally proud. It is

the spirit of the world at work against them.
Don’t be too sure you are not proud or you

can’t be taken by pride even when you are
born again.
One’s determination or self-resolution alone

may not be enough to stop the evil
manifestation of pride in us. However, by the
help of the HOLY SPIRIT of God working
within us we can overcome. It takes a life in
the spirit and spirit led decisions to be able to
conquer the deeds of pride.
My resolution therefore is that everyone born

of man has the tendency for pride, because we
are born into the sin nature where everyone
tends to seek more importance for himself or
herself beyond measure.
18
“Most of the trouble in the world is

caused by people wanting to be
important.” - T.S. Eliot
The first cure is REGENERATION; that is,

genuine salvation. It is receiving forgiveness of
sins from God and having the spirit of God
removing the nature of sin from our hearts
and making us partakers of His divine nature.
It is allowing God’s way of life to influence you

in such a way that you are not ashamed of it
(Rom. 1:16).
Outside of this, the capacity for pride in each

and every one of us is phenomena.
Regeneration is as having a heart transplant
that helps you see things the way God would
want you to see it.
19
2 Cor. 3:18: 18 But we all,

with open face beholding as in
a glass the glory of the Lord,
are changed into the same
image from glory to glory,
even as by the Spirit of the
LORD.
Once again don’t underestimate yourself,

saying I don’t have pride or I am a humble
person. This may be easier said than done
especially when one is poor or has no
reputation as it were except you are
regenerated.
The second cure is the constant RENEWAL

of your mind (Romans 12:1-2). The life we live
is a product of the thought impulses that flows
within our minds. It’s scriptural, and that is,
that as a man thinks so he is according to
proverbs 23 verse 7. What Are Your Thoughts?
20
Renewal comes by conscious exposure to the

living word of God. Making Gods word the
standard for one’s life engenders grace to live
godly and humbly.
“Whatever makes us feel superior to

other people, whatever tempts us to
convey a sense of superiority that is the
gravity of our sinful nature, not grace.”
- Philip Yancey
21
Chapter Two: THERE IS A PLACE

FOR YOU AT THE TOP IF YOU
ARE INTERESTED
Pride Makes us Artificial:
Humility Makes us Real
One day my Father in the LORD, Prophet in

life and ministry, most revered Mentor and
life coach, Dr David O. Oyedepo made
mention of one of the secrets to his success in
life. He said, God told him from the book of
Deuteronomy chapter 28 and verse 1 that
there is a place for him at the top if he is
interested.
22
This brings to my mind that God’s desire for

every one of us is that we should become great
in life.
There are thrones no one has ever climbed,

roads of honour reserved for giants and
heights of greatness awaiting who to scale
them. God’s ultimate interest is to place you in
a place of interest; a place of influence and
affluence so that you can command authority
to impact your world for His glory, but it’s
equally at the mercy of your interest. Howbeit,
nothing of value comes cheap, everything
great carries a price.
That’s why any man that will end great must

first choose greatness, think greatness and be
interested in paying the demands for its
attainment. (Deut. 30:19). This stands as
foundation for every other price needed for
one to become great in life.
23
It is a colossal waste to invest where there is

no interest.
Nevertheless, having a good standing with

God remains the covenant gateway to
unending greatness in life.
Prov. 4:18: But the path of the

just is as the shining light, that
shineth more and more unto
the perfect day.
GODLINESS: THE COVENANT

GATEWAY TO GREATNESS
Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him

in sincerity and in truth: and put away the
gods which your fathers served on the other
side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye
the LORD.
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the

LORD, choose you this day whom ye will
24
serve; whether the gods which your fathers

served that were on the other side of the
flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose
land ye dwell: but as for me and my house,
we will serve the LORD - Josh 24:14-15
• Taking a stand with God – Identifying

with God- Ps 1:1
• Having a walk with God – Lifestyle (the

man God will work with is that man
that walks like God)
• Taking a stand in awe of God –

reverence / in fear of God
Everyone who fears God never stay in

darkness concerning any area of his or her life.
They only walk through darkness by His light,

because they see light in His light that shines
on them.
25
Ps 36:9: For with thee is the

fountain of life: in thy light
shall we see light.
Therefore concerning any aspect of your

endeavor you shall not be in darkness
anymore in Jesus Name.
Godliness engenders greatness because it

connects you to heaven’s trade secrets per
time. Joseph refused to sin against God (Gen
39:9), because he realized that the secret of
God are with those that fear Him Ps 25:14,
therefore, he ended up on the throne of
greatness in a strange land becoming the ruler
of Egypt and teacher of her senators on the
platter of secrets revealed for his right
standing with God. Gen 41:38 – 44.
Greatness is a relative term; therefore could

be a function of size, volume and strength.
26
Make reference to these scriptures (Isa 60:22,

1Chr 4:9 – 10, Ps 112: 1 – 3, Ps 71:21)
I want to prophesy to you, beloved! You are

about to be ENLARGED, INCREASED, and
made STRONGER. The person reading this
book is about to be made BIGGER, BETTER
and BROADER in Jesus name. These
prophecies shall affect you positively
spiritually, practically, business-wise, family-
wise, career-wise, in your finance, Academics
etc. and in Jesus name!
Greatness is our heritage in redemption. A

prophetic word came over Jesus’ destiny from
the mouth of an angel before his birth that, He
shall be great, and shall be called the Son of
the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto
him the throne of his father David. (Lk1:30 –
33/ John 17:18, Gen 12:1 – 3, Gal 3:13-14, Gen
26:12-14, Gal 4:28,). And after discovering
this he said, “as the father has sent me so I
27
send you too. Just as Abraham was called out

of his father’s house and was made a symbol
of generational blessing, Jesus’ coming and
enthronement also connects us to this
generational greatness provoked by the
Abrahamic blessing through redemption. We
are therefore not expected to be under any
plague or curse because as Isaac was a child of
promise so we are, and for us all who are
Christ’s we are Abraham’s seed. Halleluiah!
Howbeit, the fear of the Lord is the highway to

greatness Job 1:1-3.
For instance Wisdom is the gateway to our

enthronement but the Fear of God is our
access to Divine Wisdom. Pro 8:15-16, Gen
39:9, Gen 41:38-44. Furthermore, anointing
increases with godliness. Where the anointing
is new there is favour smell, but old wine
ferments and thereby stinks. Lk5:37-38, SOS
1:3/ Ps 45:6-8
28
6 Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: the

sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest

wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath
anointed thee with the oil of gladness above
thy fellows.
8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes,

and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby
they have made thee glad.
• There is progress for you today! - 1Sam

16:13
• There is protection for you today! - Ps

105:13-15
• There is Breakthrough for you today! -

Isa 45:1
• There is Deliverance for you today! - Isa

10:25-27
29
• There are good tidings and Healings for

you today in Jesus name! Act 10:38.
YOU WILL SUCCEED!
Watch it! Many more advisers to Presidents of

Nations, Governors of States and
Organizations are rising from Zion today after
the order of Joseph and Daniel by virtue of
their right standing with God. I see you among
them in the name of Jesus! Will you say a
louder amen to that!
Remember! We have a glorious destiny of

greatness in God but it is being contended by
our adversary and accuser of the brethren,
with forces of ungodliness such as PRIDE!
30
Chapter Three: THE

DISTRACTIONS OF PURSUIT
God has planned our lives and expects us to

fulfil his plan for our lives1 (Jer.1:5; 29:11). Not
only has he planned our lives, he has also
anointed us to walk in His plans and to be
successful in it.
However, in the pursuit of these divine plans

there are distractions that the enemy brings
into our lives to delay our pursuit and
eventually frustrate us to give up our pursuit.
These distractions fall into three dimension.
The first dimension of distraction is to FEEL
something, the second is to HAVE something,
and the third is to BE something.
The devil has no new plans; he uses all of

these dimensions of distractions against us to
31
keep us from obtaining the prize of our

pursuit. John says, “Watch out” don’t love
these things. This type of love and affection
can feel just like the leading of God and they
can fling you up from obtaining your prize.
In Genesis 3:4-6 God instructed Adam not to

eat of the fruit of knowledge of good and evil.
But the woman saw that the tree was good for
food (pleasure) and she saw that it was a tree
to be desired to make one wise and so it would
be good to possess (possession). Then the
serpent said if you eat of it, you shall be like
God, that is, become somebody (position).
Right here are the three weapons in the

satanic arsenal. They are no new tricks. They
are always the same because they work. God is
not against pleasure. He is not against
possessions. He is not against position. If you
humble yourself God will exalt you. He is
talking about illegitimate desires and
32
illegitimate appetites that are in our flesh, and

they feel just like the leading of the Holy Spirit
and when you allow these illegitimate desires
and appetites in your life as you pursue
purpose or the agendas of God, they will cause
you not to obtain your prize. This is the
problem with a lot of believers and leaders in
the church worldwide this end time.
JESUS’ VICTORY OVER DISTRACTION
Jesus dealt with these three dimensions of

distraction against his ministry in Matthew
4:3-10. While in the wilderness, Satan offered
Jesus three things.
The first thing he offered Jesus was to turn the

stones into bread. This temptation tripped up
the first Adam and caused him to eat the fruit,
but it did not trip up the last Adam, Jesus.
Jesus refused to succumb to any illegitimate
desire or appetite. He knew it was a set-up
33
and he said no. Secondly, the devil offered or

promised Jesus all of the kingdom and his
glory for a possession. The subtle bait here is
not just the possession, but the glory that
comes out of the possession.
Finally, the devil told him to jump off the

temple and that God will give his Angels
charge over him. What he was actually saying
was that he wants Jesus to prove his position
by jumping.
Jesus refused because he knew his position

and did not need to prove it. (IF YOU KNOW
WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU ARE IN
GOD, YOU DON’T NEED TO PROVE IT.
TRYING TO PROVE IT IS EITHER
IGNORANCE OR PRIDE).
If you look at a fall of believers, you will find

these three things as to why they never obtain
their prize, never fulfil their purpose, and why
34
they fell every one of them ran through red

lights before they smashed up. We need to
increase and improve our discernment to
catch these distractions on our way to
accomplishing the purposes of God, so that
more people can arrive safely to their
destination.
CLUES TO SUCCESSFUL PURSUIT
“Looking away [from all that will distract] to

Jesus, who is the leader and the source of our
faith [giving the first incentive for our belief]
and is also its finisher [bringing it to
maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy of
obtaining the prize that was set before him
endured the cross, despising and ignoring the
shame, and is now seated at the right hand of
the throne of God.”– Hebrews 12:2 AMP
35
The first clue is to look unto Jesus:
Keep your focus on Him when you get weak

and weary, and want to quit your pursuit, just
consider Him. Get your mind off yourself and
think of Him. Often the opposite is the case.
We set our minds on ourselves and keep them

set on us and we end up getting further and
further away from our pursuit.
But what we have learned to do to avoid the

distractions to our pursuit is to lock all of our
focus on the accomplishments of the Lord and
keep it there.
In order that you may not grow disinterested

and become [spiritual] sluggard, but
imitators, behaving as to those who through
faith (by leaning of the entire personality on
God in Christ in absolute trust confidence in
his power, wisdom, and goodness) and by
practice of patient endurance and waiting are
36
now inheriting the promise. – Hebrews 6:12

AMP
Secondly, maintain a life style of faith:
A life style of faith involves fighting the good

fight to make your pursuit a reality. Faith is
being convinced of something that I have a
basis for.
The good fight of faith is the ability to remain

steady in your conviction or belief system in
spite of what the enemy is throwing at you to
bait you out of your place of rest, so that you
can begin to fret, panic, worry, and eventually
give up your pursuit.
It is only when you have fought the good fight

that you can lay hold of your prize. Staying
focus and obtaining the prize of your pursuit
involves fighting the good fight of faith.
37
“For you have need of steadfast patient and

endurance, so that you may perform and
fully accomplish the will of God, and thus
receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full]
what is promised.” – Hebrews 10:36 AMP
Finally, maintain a life style of patience.
The force of patience is one of the most

difficult forces that we struggle to maintain.
And yet it is one of the most significant forces
needed to remain steady and focused in our
pursuit. Patience is the inner strength to stand
courageously and remain standing in spite of
the distractions of the enemy until your
pursuit becomes a reality. Most pursuit does
not pass over night.
Our patience in God helps to control, harness,

and win the life of our soul until we see a
38
manifestation. Our souls have the tendency to

stray into unbelief, doubt, distrust, and
eventually quit when things are not happening
as expected. That is why the scripture says in
Hebrews 10:36 that we need the force of
patience and endurance so that we can
perform and fully accomplish the will of God
and then receive what is promised. Without
this ingredient in place it is quite impossible
to be successful in your pursuit.
39
Chapter Four: SIGN POSTS

ALONG THE ROAD OF PRIDE
15-Plus Signs that point at Pride
Just like a man behind the wheels may be

ignorant of road signs or wondering why the
RED light on the traffic light signals a “STOP”
on different highways so also, there are certain
phenomena that we indulge in but never
considered them as what makes us to be
referred to as being proud or we equally
wonder why it is pride. Well! Though Car
steering side may be different from car to car
depending on the country of usage, you hardly
find difference in the signs for caution on any
road. The standard for living of anyone who
will please God and end up in greatness is the
40
Word of God. That is, Scriptures. Let’s go

through the Bible and consider the sign posts
on the road of pride which I equally call the
pot-holes on the road to greatness in life so we
can know how to handle them. If you find
yourself on these paths of behaviours you may
need to adjust your character. The best tool
for measuring personal life progress is sincere
self-examination. Follow me as we consider
examining our “pride quotient”.
Examine yourselves, whether

ye be in the faith; prove your
own selves. Know ye not your
own selves, how that Jesus
Christ is in you, except ye be
reprobates? - 1 Cor. 13:10
41
Do you have the habit of taking to mind

the credit of the happenings around
you?
Remember, that the battle is not to the strong

and neither is wisdom to men of knowledge. A
man can receive nothing except it be given
him from the LORD. What do you have that is
as it were not given you? Learn to give glory
(credit) to God for every happening around
you. Jeremiah 13 verses 15 to 17:
“Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the

LORD hath spoken. Give glory to the LORD
your God, before he cause darkness, and
before your feet stumble upon the dark
mountains, and, while ye look for light, he
turn it into the shadow of death, and make it
gross darkness. But if ye will not hear it, my
soul shall weep in secret places for your pride;
and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down
42
with tears, because the LORD's flock is carried

away captive.”
You need to realize this before it’s too late.

Consider this graphical example of Samson in
Judges 15:14-17, he made a statement that
depict pride within him also.
And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines

shouted against him: and the Spirit of the
LORD came mightily upon him... but he said
“With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon
heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a
thousand men…”
Do you have the nature of taking credit

for deeds of others?
1Sam 13:3-4: - And Jonathan smote the

garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba,
and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew
the trumpet throughout all the land, saying,
Let the Hebrews hear. And all Israel heard
43
say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the

Philistines, and that Israel also was had in
abomination with the Philistines. And the
people were called together after Saul to
Gilgal.
This is a tendency with many team members

but especially Leaders who have pride
embedded in their character but because they
are ahead holding one position or the other,
this nature seems unnoticed.
You may have to tell yourself the truth that

anytime you get hurt or start feeling
uncomfortable when your subject or
subordinate makes a move that moved your
troop forward and he or she gets the reward or
accolade for it by observers, then you are
exhibiting the sin nature of pride. Stop it.
Jonathan smote the garrison of the philistine

but Saul blew the trumpet for Israel to
44
acknowledge him as though he got the victory.

I believe there’s nothing wrong with you
acknowledging others for helping your
achievements so learn to attribute honour and
credits to deserving partners.
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in

humility count others more significant than
yourselves.- Philippians 2:3 NLT
When spiritual instructions look foolish

to you (Naaman)
2Kgs 5:12: “Are not Abana and Pharpar,

rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters
of Israel? May I not wash in them, and be
clean? So he turned and went away in a
rage.”
When a patient begins to tell the Doctor the

kind of drugs to be prescribed for his or her
healing then there’s no need for medical
consultation. Many of us behave this way due
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to carnality, ignorance of the scriptures and

the power of God (Matthew 22:29). Until you
realize that the priest set over you is better
placed than you before God in spiritual
matters, you will not stop questioning
spiritual instruction and invariably you will be
delaying your turnaround desires while acting
in folly. Beware!
My Father, Dr. David Oyedepo, once narrated

a scenario where a lady, who was an
unbeliever, came to him for prayers and began
to tell the man of God she’s going to give him
any amount of money if only he could help her
out in her ordeal. With a holy anger God’s
servant rebuked her and told her, if she could
see very well she would have known that He is
better placed than her. Well, she apologized,
was prayed for and eventually got her miracle
desire from God. Friend, be Humble!
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Little wonder Paul the apostle wrote in 1 Cor.

2:14 that the natural man receives not the
things of the Spirit of God: for they are
foolishness unto him: neither can he know
them, because they are spiritually discerned.
So when spiritual instructions look foolish to
you. You are not only carnal you are Proud!
When you feel too important for hard

work (Tekoites Nobles)
Neh. 3:5: - “And next unto them the Tekoites

repaired; but their nobles put not their necks
to the work of their LORD.”
Many people forget that feelings don’t define

their true status but their worth does. It is the
value you add to life that actually determines
your true value in life. To feel too important
for hard work is to be too cheap for greatness.
Solomon said, have you seen a man that is
diligent and hardworking in his business, he is
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not a candidate for mere seats, his lot is with

kings and presidents of nations and
institutions. Poverty is eating too many people
because of Pride.
One of my beloved mentors and fathers in the

faith, Bishop David Abioye told me in one of
his teachings one day that; Life is not about
importance but about relevance. And
relevance is about value adding, contributions
into other people’s life. Friend, drop your
pride and start adding value to life else you’ll
soon loose taste.
Do you have delight in quarrelling?
Only by pride cometh contention: but with

the well advised is wisdom-- Pro 13:10
Truly there wouldn’t be a reason to quarrel

when and where there is respect and love for
one another. It is when one’s ego feels hurt
that strife erupts from within. Watch this! You
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quarrel with someone you feel you can deal

with and not otherwise.
Remember, even when a dog goes insane it

could still recognize fire and its consuming
power. However, even when your hurt is
actually justified it is wisdom to show love and
respect yourself. Respect is reciprocal. Hatred
stirs up strife but Love quenches all faults
(Pro. 10:12 emphasis mine). Anyone that
loves quarrelling loves to go against God’s
laws and he’s heading towards destruction
(Pro. 17:19 emphasis mine)
“It is better to lose your pride with

someone you love rather than to lose
that someone you love with your useless
pride.” - John Ruskin
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Does the success of others hurt your

pride?
And John answered and said, Master, we

saw one casting out devils in thy name; and
we forbad him, because he followeth not with
us. And Jesus said unto him, forbid him not:
for he that is not against us is for us. - Luke
9:49-50
What a wise reply from the saviour Jesus

Christ. He meant to say as long as this man
does it rightly and his source does not
contradict ours, then he is for us.
You don’t have to be a title carrier to

demonstrate acceptable stewardship or
manifest the powers of the kingdom of God. It
is pride when you want to be known as the
only one who can make things to happen the
way you do. Be careful! Don’t let it get into
your head.
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That idea, talent, strategy, success, innovation

or inspiration or even victory was an
entrustment not an “achievement” as it were.
Never get hurt by seeing others succeed.
Always remember, that the success of others
won’t determine your failure. Success is
relative to Purpose. As long as you are doing
what you are called to do in life the way
appointed then expect to keep succeeding.
And be joyful to see others succeed as well. It
only fills the earth with more successful
people than failures! Hear what a wise man
said,
“I'm so proud of you that it makes

me proud of me. I hope you know
that.” ― John Green Will Grayson
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When you feel self-righteous… you are

becoming a Pharisee or ‘Sad – to – see’
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with

himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as
other men are, extortionist, unjust,
adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast
twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I
possess. And the publican, standing afar off,
would not lift up so much as his eyes unto
heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying,
God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this
man went down to his house justified rather
than the other: for every one that exalteth
himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth
himself shall be exalted. - Luke 18:11-14
When you are fond of justifying yourself you

will end up condemning others and yourself
condemned, but when you seek justification
from the Lord you’ll end up glorified (Rom.
8:30). Stop this ‘Holier than thou’ attitude and
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you will see that the world is a better place to

be.
When you can’t ask for other people’s

help
Act 8:30-31: - And Philip ran thither to him,

… and said, Understandest thou what thou
readest? And he said, how can I, except some
man should guide me? And he desired Philip
that he would come up and sit with him.
Pride makes you feel and think you need no

help from anybody. Beloved, I’d like you to
know that God’s channel of help often times is
People. Israel would have rotten in Egypt
praying if there was no human agent in Moses
sent to them by God. Naaman would have
remained leprous if he had not yielded to the
counsel of his maid. In response to man’s need
God sent his only son to die for you and I. Has
it ever crossed your mind that David, who
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prayed “ I will lift up mine eyes to the hills

from whence cometh my help? My Help
cometh from the Lord…” The same needed a
man to speak for him before King Saul,
recommending him for a post (assignment) in
the palace. Asking for help from people is not
weakness it is wisdom. It is called leverage.
However, this is not to encourage dependence
on people at the expense of absolute trust in
God your maker. It must be balanced.
See Jeremiah 17:5-7.
“Thus saith the LORD; cursed be the man that

trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm,
and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
For he shall be like the heath in the desert,
and shall not see when good cometh; but shall
inhabit the parched places in the wilderness,
in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is
the man that trusteth in the LORD, and
whose hope the LORD is.”
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You are proud when you can’t admit

your wrongs.
2Cor 7:11: For godly sorrow worketh

repentance to salvation not to be repented of:
but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
For behold this selfsame thing, that ye
sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness
it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of
yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what
fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what
zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have
approved yourselves to be clear in this
matter.
Beloved, when it is obvious that you are wrong

and you still hold onto your self-esteem so
that you will not be seen as a coward or
defeated person, it’s a sign of pride. Learn to
own up to your responsibility. It is strength of
heart to be humble.
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Does your action portray someone

yearning for praise and human
accolades?
This attribute is not good for anyone destined

for greatness because it will only crash such
destiny before it is heard. It was Warren
Wiersbe that said, “The way we respond to
criticism pretty much depends on the way we
respond to praise. If praise humbles us, then
criticism will build us up. But if praise inflates
us, then criticism will crush us; and both
responses lead to our defeat.”
Look at the case of King Herod in Acts 12:21-

23:
And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal

apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an
oration unto them. And the people gave a
shout, saying, it is the voice of a god, and not
of a man. And immediately the angel of the
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Lord smote him, because he gave not God the

glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave
up the ghost.
Comparison of yourself or ministry and

with others
“Pride gets no pleasure out of having

something, only out of having more of it than
the next man... It is the comparison that
makes you proud: the pleasure of being
above the rest. Once the element of
competition is gone, pride is gone.” ― C.S.
Lewis
The bible refers to acts like this as foolishness.

It says comparing themselves one with
another they are not wise. Whatever makes us
feel superior to other people, whatever tempts
us to convey a sense of superiority that is the
gravity of our sinful nature, not grace?
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Thinking everybody should be able to

do what you do (if they can’t you look
down on them as infants)
This is in the light of being over expectant

from people. What some people will call acting
like an extreme perfectionist.
“As long as you are proud you cannot know

God. A proud man is always looking down on
thing and people: and, of course, as long as
you are looking down you cannot see
something that is above you.” ― C.S. Lewis
When you speak and act arrogantly or

proudly
“There are two circumstances that lead to

arrogance: one is when you're wrong and you
can't face it; the other is when you're right and
nobody else can face it.” ― Criss Jami
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There’s a lot to say of proud talking and

arrogance nature but I will refer you to one of
my revered mentors, Dr. Dag Heward – Mill
in his book “Formula for Humility”. Get it and
read up.
But hear the words of Wisdom, 1

Samuel 2:3
“Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not

arrogance come out of your mouth: for the
LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him
actions are weighed.”
When you do things for self – glorification

and equally refuse counsel when discovered
to be tolling a wrong path.
The population census of Israel and Judah, a

nine months twenty days exercise according to
theologians, has it that it was a baseless move
by King David. 1 Chr. 21:1-8, 2Sam 24:1-8.
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He had a good plan but perhaps wrong

intention. He was doing what was right in his
sight but not commanded. 2Sam 24:2, he
wanted to know the number of the Israelites
and Judah in order to know the extent of his
reign. That may not be wrong but for a man
that walks with God, every major step one
takes is expected to be as directed by God or
discerned to be in line with His will, else it is
seen by God as disrespect, resulting from
pride of the heart.
Joab saw the consequences on the whole

people but David didn’t. This implies that a
proud person rarely see the danger of his or
her ambition. It was an act against God’s will.
Satan provoked (moved) him. David wasn’t

discerning the devices of the devil around
him. 1Chro. 21:1. Also, it was glaring that
David’s request wasn’t base on positive
reasons but on inward self-glorification (verse
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2) unlike the case of Amaziah in 2 Chro. 25:5

who counted his men to know those going to
war with Him?
When one’s heart gets lifted up because

of beauty attainments …. (Ezek. 28:17)
The overwhelming beauty of the King of
Tyrus;
Ezek. 28:12-19: Son of man, take up a

lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say
unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou
sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and
perfect in beauty.
13. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of

God; every precious stone was thy covering,
the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the
beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire,
the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the
workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes
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was prepared in thee in the day that thou

wast created.
14.Thou art the anointed cherub that

covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast
upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast
walked up and down in the midst of the
stones of fire.
15. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the

day that thou wast created, till iniquity was
found in thee.
16. By the multitude of thy merchandise they

have filled the midst of thee with violence,
and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast
thee as profane out of the mountain of God:
and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub,
from the midst of the stones of fire.
17. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy

beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by
reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to
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the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that

they may behold thee.
18. Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the

multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of
thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire
from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee,
and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth
in the sight of all them that behold thee.
19. All they that know thee among the people

shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a
terror, and never shalt thou be any more.
Until iniquity was found in thee (Ezek. 28:15)
The iniquity found in him was that his heart

got lifted up because of his beauty. (Ezek.
28:17)
Though God does not detest beauty yet he will

not allow it take his place in your life. Think of
this! Science revealed that about 80% of the
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human body is made up of water. Therefore if

all your investments of time, energy and
resources are channelled on your body you are
of all men miserable.
Pride is the error of most Kings in Israel that

led to their destruction.
Saul – 1Sam 13:3-4
And Jonathan smote the garrison of the

Philistines that was in Geba, and the
Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the
trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let
the Hebrews hear. And all Israel heard say
that Saul had smitten a garrison of the
Philistines, and that Israel also was had in
abomination with the Philistines. And the
people were called together after Saul to
Gilgal.
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Uzziah – 2Chr 26:16-21
(Though helped by the Lord till he became

strong and his heart was lifted up to his
destruction. He refused priestly correction
from Azariah the priest and ended his life a
leper unto the day of his death.
Nebuchadnezzar – Dan 4:28-37
…The king spake, and said, Is not this great

Babylon, that I have built for the house of the
kingdom by the might of my power, and for
the honour of my majesty? While the word
was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from
heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to
thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed
from thee… Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise
and extol and honour the King of heaven, all
whose works are truth, and his ways
judgment: and those that walk in pride he is
able to abase.
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Herod Agripa – Act 12:23
And immediately the angel of the Lord smote

him, because he gave not God the glory: and
he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
“In general, pride is at the bottom of all great

mistakes.” - John Ruskin
Now the plus…
Resenting other people’s success and

rejoicing in their failure.
Rejoice not over me my enemies when I fall

for when I fall I shall rise again. Every
tendency in you that makes you happy at the
fall of others is Pride. Showing antipathy
towards the success of your neighbor is evil.
When you are bothered someone is sharing

testimonies too much it is better you pray to
get the secret to their testimonies rather than
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resenting them. Adjust and behave yourself

wisely.
Examine yourself!
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Chapter Five: DANGEROUS

CONSEQUENCES OF PRIDE
“Humility is not thinking less of

yourself, but thinking of yourself
less.” – C.S. Lewis
Put not forth thyself in the presence of the

king, and stand not in the place of great men:
For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come
up hither; than that thou shouldest be put
lower in the presence of the prince whom
thine eyes have seen. - Pro. 25:6-7
There are so many dangerous consequences

that the proud suffers even though they may
not be revealed or pronounced. There’s this
saying that “some people create their own
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storms, then get upset when it rains.” Beloved,

there are always consequences to your actions.
Before you act make sure you are prepared for
them. Remember that you are free to make
whatever choice you want, but you are not free
from the consequences of your choice. Here
are some of the consequences of Pride.
“Pride costs more than hunger, thirst and

cold.” –Thomas Jefferson
“Idleness and pride tax with a heavier hand

than kings and governments. - Benjamin
Franklin
“Pride the first peer and president of hell.” –

Daniel Defoe
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Pride brings you low….
A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour

shall uphold the humble in spirit.- Pro 29:23
Put not forth thyself in the presence of the

king, and stand not in the place of great men:
For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come
up hither; than that thou shouldest be put
lower in the presence of the prince whom
thine eyes have seen. Pro. 25:6-7
Pride leads to destruction …
Pride goeth before destruction, and an

haughty spirit before a fall. - Pro. 16:18
Pride hinders progress …God resists

the proud...
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto

the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to
another, and be clothed with humility: for God
resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the
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humble. Humble yourselves therefore under

the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you
in due time - 1Pet 5:5-6,
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto
the humble. - James 4:6
God distances himself from you
“Though the LORD be high, yet hath he

respect unto the lowly: but the proud he
knoweth afar off.” - Ps 138:6
God cuts him off…
Zech.9:6: “And a bastard shall dwell in

Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the
Philistines.”
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The proud loses honour and favour

…but inherits humiliation
Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and

honour the King of heaven, all whose works
are truth, and his ways judgment: and those
that walk in pride he is able to abase - Dan.
4:37
Pride makes us not to receive the gift of

God
For he hath regarded the low estate of his

handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all
generations shall call me blessed.…Luke 1:48,
… If any man teach otherwise, and consent not

to wholesome words, even the words of our
Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is
according to godliness; He is proud, knowing
nothing, but doting about questions and strife
of words, whereof cometh envy, strife,
railings, evil surmising. - 1 Tim. 6: 3-4.
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Pride leads to the death of many

innocent souls...
So the LORD sent pestilence upon Israel: and

there fell of Israel seventy thousand men. -
1Chr 21:14
Furthermore, pride attracts pestilences

of all kinds
(i.e. deadly diseases, virulent diseases,

plagues, epidemic etc.) and also puts your
family at risk…
Pride can lead one into depression.
I met a lady who suffered depression because

someone told her she’s becoming too fat.
Instead of handling the words wisely she
entered the pharmacy to request for drugs
that can make her reduce in size. Due to the
fact that she wanted to please or impress the
person who made the statement and all the
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people around her she gave in to this drug

until she became addicted and started having
feeling that she’s getting deformed.
Consequently, it grew worse that she started

contemplating suicide, complains of losing her
self-esteem and beauty. Though a Christian
yet could not realize that when one knows her
true identity in God he or she needs not prove
it to anyone at all. Well she’s delivered today
by the light of the scriptures.
You know what? Shortly before her

deliverance someone asked for her hand in
marriage even at this state, yet she couldn’t
give the response required because she felt
she’s got a problem with her shape and beauty
and seems no one could solve this problem.
She said she could not even pray to God about
the proposal in other to know God’s mind
about the relationship. She only was asking
God to restore her beauty. Guess what! The
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root of her problem was Pride of life. “I want

to please this person” or what! Why try to
impress people at the expense of your self-
respect. Beloved, wake up and walk in
humility and be real.
NOTE: Whatever you do, check your heart

honestly and sincerely and do well to rid of
Pride. Examine thyself!
God wants to anoint you but the vessel must

be clean. God is willing to change your level
but He needs you to proof your capacity to
manage the Top without giving Him concerns.
I remember, God said it repented Him that He
created man. Gen. 6:6
It’s observed that Pride will not allow its

victim to make progress. Pride will not allow a
prospective great Business tycoon to recognize
and celebrate small beginning and thereby he
75
loses great deals. Matt 25:24 – in the Parable

of Dollars -$1
If I had only one sermon to preach it would

be a sermon against pride.-- Gilbert Keith
Chesterton
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Chapter Six: DEALING WITH

PRIDE
“God sends no one away empty,

except those who are full of
themselves.”- Dwight I. Moody
How do I overcome the manifestation of this

ungodly spirit of pride? That is the question
expected of an Overcomer.
There is no spirit or its product that cannot be

conquered by a true child of God. Primarily
your triumph is in the help of the Holy Spirit.
You were born again to become an overcomer.
John said, I have written to you … young men,

because ye are strong, and the word of God
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abideth in you, and ye have overcome the

wicked one. (1 Jn. 2:14) and “…whatsoever is
born of God overcomes the world and this is
the victory that overcomes the world even
our faith.”(1 Jn. 5:4). Let’s unveil the steps to
take in order to attain victory over the force of
pride in one’s life. If you will permit me to ask
you this question, ARE YOU READY FOR
THIS? If your answer is YES then read on.
REPENTANCE
It takes great inner strength to ask for

forgiveness especially when you are convinced
that you are wrong. David asked for
Forgiveness when he realized that he was
wrong to have embarked on unauthorized
population censor (1Chr 21:1-8). This act is
one thing I believe God saw in David that got
him a place in the heart of God. Indeed He’s a
man after God’s Heart –2Sam 24:10. God
always wants us to acknowledge our wrong as
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well as repent of them whenever we’re

reproved. It was Nebuchadnezzar that
exclaimed; indeed God is able to abase those
that walk in Pride - Dan 4:36-37. Therefore,
the way out of pride just as any other sin is
GENUINE REPENTANCE Act 2:38. To this
end I present to you few steps that will
practically help your repentance process and
victory over Pride.
Ask the Holy Spirit to fire His love

afresh into your heart.
You need this fresh fire of love for God so you

can be able to live the regenerated life and be
a Spirit controlled Child of God. – 2Tim 6:7,
Rom 5:5,1Jn 2:15
Engage the name of Jesus in battle

against the Sin of Pride.
Now that your real enemy is discovered you

now know who you are fighting. So fight it to
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finish with and in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Just like David said to the Philistine in 1
Samuel 17:45, Thou comest to me with a
sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but
I come to thee in the name of the LORD of
hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom
thou hast defied.
Remember, the name of the Lord is equally a

strong tower when you run into it you are
saved – Pro 18:10. That name is loaded with
great power both for confrontation and
defense of the saint; it is an ointment such
that will establish attraction of good things
and people to you also. SOS. 1:3, Because of
the savour of thy good ointments thy name is
as ointment poured forth, therefore do the
virgins love thee.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name which is above every
name:… -Philippians 2:9
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Crave for the sanctification of the spirit,

unto obedience (1 Pet.1:2)
On the prayer altar you have the right to

desperately ask the Father to sanctify you
through His spirit unto obedience so you can
act upon the things that you know are true
especially about you, people and the situations
(temptations) that may come against you.
Engage in continuous spiritual exercise

(Act 24:16, 1Tim 4:7-8, 1Cor 9:24-26).
You are to exercise yourself unto godliness

living your life and conscience offence free.
Offences are some of the traps of the enemy to
bring you into hatred and bitterness, in other
to get you out of track with your God.
However, you must realize that you can only
be offended when you feel you are better-off,
or you are not been treated well or with
respect. Drop the feelings and walk in the light
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by faith and not by sight. Walk in the spirit

and you will not fulfil the lust of the flesh
which tells you “can’t you react?”, “show them
you have arrived”, “let him know you are not a
small boy” etc. instead of these pray, fast, walk
in the truth of God’s word.
Learn Meekness and Humility (Matt.

11:29, Matt 18:4, Matt 20:26-27, Phil 2:5-8)
We have a perfect example of meekness in

Jesus Christ our Lord. One can learn
meekness and humility from Him. He said,
learn of me. So get through the scriptures, the
first four gospels (Matthew – John) to be
precise and study Jesus. Then start asking
yourself; what will Jesus do in this or that
situation?
It is one of the wisdom questions to ask in any

situation in other to keep overcoming the
manifestations of pride within and around us?
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No one is baptized with Humility. It is not a

gift for impartation but a character to develop
having been delivered from the strings of
Pride. It is your responsibility to develop this
virtue while you constantly ask for
empowerment from the Holy Ghost for its
retention.
Continually examine your heart

honestly and sincerely. (Ps19:12-13, Ps
51:10, Ps 139:23, Ps 141:3-4)
Regular self-examination will enhance

effective efforts towards better character
development.
Paul said in this light Examine yourselves,

whether ye be in the faith; prove your own
selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that
Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be
reprobates? - 2 Cor. 13:10
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When it is recognized confess to others

and repent (James 5:16, Gal. 6:1) When you
make an open sincere confession of your
wrongs it becomes easy for people around you
to help you out of them especially when you
are in a write company of believers.
Confession in the right company brings
healing.
Be accountable to someone who will

honestly tell you when you are getting
out of line.
Mentorship has a way of placing checks on

both the mentor and the mentee or protégée
in keeping off the lane of pride. Make sure you
have a Father whose admonition or
instruction you can obey in the Lord. Hear the
Apostles Peter and Paul:
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto

the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to
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another, and be clothed with humility: for

God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to
the humble. - 1Pet 5:5
I write not these things to shame you, but as

my beloved sons I warn you. - 1 Cor. 4:14
Live your life to serve the Lord.
Crave for the spirit of servant-hood. The

formula for humility resides in servant-hood
and childlikeness. Matt. 20:26-27, Matt 23:11.
We shall discuss these in the next chapter.
One of my revered mentors said to me, “If you

are too big to serve you are too small to
become great. Those who stoop low today to
serve will stand tall tomorrow to lead” –
Bishop David Abioye.
Avoid giving God belated gratitude
No one qualifies for the next without

acknowledging God for the previous. And it’s
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not enough to come with gratitude it is

required to be rendered acceptably. One of the
virtues that make it acceptable is timeliness.
“Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the

LORD hath spoken. Give glory to the LORD
your God, before he cause darkness, and
before your feet stumble upon the dark
mountains, and, while ye look for light, he
turn it into the shadow of death, and make it
gross darkness.
But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in

secret places for your pride; and mine eye
shall weep sore, and run down with tears,
because the LORD's flock is carried away
captive.” – Jer. 13:15-17
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Chapter Seven: LIFESTYLE OF

HUMILITY
Building a Lifestyle Of Humility
James 4:6-10: But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud,
but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit
yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil,
and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God,
and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your
hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye
double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and
weep: let your laughter be turned to
mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,
and he shall lift you up.
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Hu·mil·i·ty/(h)yo͞oˈmilədē/
A modest or low view of one’s own

importance; humbleness
Humility is a nebulous, but important

spiritual quality. Living in humility holds great
values and virtues attached. They are
numerous and few of them can only be
mentioned in this book. However, the few to
be named shall inspire your drive to living a
humble life.
THE ONE THING GOD EXALTS
And he put forth a parable to those which

were bidden, when he marked how they chose
out the chief rooms; saying unto them.
When thou art bidden of any man to a

wedding, sit not down in the highest room;
lest a more honourable man than thou be
bidden of him;
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And he that bade thee and him come and say

to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin
with shame to take the lowest room.
But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in

the lowest room; that when he that bade thee
cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up
higher: then shalt thou have worship in the
presence of them that sit at meat with thee.
For whosoever exalteth himself shall be

abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be
exalted.
God is in the business of opposing and

exalting, of bringing down and lifting up.
There is one thing that God exalts and lifts up.

It’s not talent. It’s not effort. It’s not having it
all together. It’s not good behaviour or good
plans. It’s not success and great resources. The
one thing God exalts is HUMILITY.
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“‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to

the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore,
under the mighty hand of God so that at the
proper time he may exalt you…” 1 Peter 5:5b-
6 (paraphrased)
Peter wrote these words from experience. He

felt the fall that comes from pride, and he
experienced the exalting that God gives to the
humble. There’s much to say here, but at the
core of this divine physics is the nature of a
true and real relationship between God and
humans.
God is God, and we are His people, the sheep

of His pastures. God is All-Sufficient, while we
humans are all-dependent, dependent on God
for breath, lunch, a functioning liver,
everything.
So, the only true way to live in relationship

with God and as a human in God’s world is in
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humility and dependence. To walk in pride

and independence in God’s world is an
attempt to re-write the laws by which God
created our world. Such a way of life isn’t real,
it’s not true, and it’s not how things work.
Thomas Merton said it well, “Pride makes us

artificial; humility makes us real.” Pride
makes us synthetic. Humility births the
originality in us.
I cannot imagine anything worse than being

opposed by God. And, I cannot imagine
anything better than being exalted by God. It’s
not just my imagination, like Peter, this is
what I’ve lived. My pride has led to falls. My
humility has led to exaltations. Pride is way
overrated. Humility is deeply undervalued,
and misunderstood. Humility isn’t about
devaluing who you are, it’s about waking up to
who you truly are and the dependent freedom
God created you to live in. By all means
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employ your talents, give your best effort, stay

on top of things, live well, aim to be successful
in your endeavours and steward your
resources; but try doing so from a deeply
humble human heart – a real heart – that God
can relate to, love, work with, and exalt.
Just before we proceed it is good to remind us

that as pride is the root of all sin, so “humility
is the root, mother, nurse, foundation, and
bond of all virtues,” as John Chrysostom once
remarked.
Admittedly, humility and the humbling of

oneself, is out of fashion in today’s world and
seems unappealing to most of us. However, as
Jonathan Edwards said, “We must view
humility as one of the most essential things
that characterizes true Christianity.” Our
perspective on humility can be radically
changed if we will ponder and meditate on the
greatest example of humility in history: Jesus
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Christ. By the very act of leaving heaven,

coming to earth, and taking the form of man,
He demonstrated an unfathomable humbling
of Himself.
Throughout His life on earth, Jesus

demonstrated a spirit of profound humility,
saying that He came “not to be served, but to
serve, and to give His life as a ransom for
many” (Matt. 20:28). On His last night with
the disciples, He took a towel and basin and
washed their dirty feet (John 13:1–11),
instructing them to follow His example of
servant-hood with one another.
Well, the reality is that Jesus wrapped up a

mystery of supernatural Dominion and
transference of inheritances of the saints in
Humility. What happened on that day was
beyond the demonstration of Humility it was a
mystery though (John 13:12–17).
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Andrew Murray captures it well, “Christ is the

humility of God embodied in human nature;
the Eternal Love humbling itself, clothing
itself in the garb of meekness and gentleness,
to win and serve and save us.”
13 TRUTHS ABOUT HUMILITY
1. Humility is central to our calling as

followers of Christ and leaders in the
church – we can never talk about it
enough! Here are twelve quick thoughts
on the nature of humility and its
importance to our spiritual life.
2. Humility is not weakness, quietness, or

pliability. It is not lack of initiative,
confidence, boldness or force.
3. Humility is confidence properly placed

in God and not in self.
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4. Humility is born from a correct

understanding of who you are and
where you stand before God.
5. Humility is appropriate for us as

creatures, as sinners and as saints.
Andrew Murray
6. Humility gives God the Sovereign

position in your “inner world” that He
possesses in the real world.
7. Humility is the pattern of Jesus, the goal

of redemption and the hope of eternity.
8. Humility is the emptying of self.
9. Humility is the only path to spiritual

greatness
10. Humility is the hidden treasure of

Jesus’ spirituality.
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11. Humility is the key that unlocks the door

to God’s best. Humility is irresistible to
God.
12.If you possess humility, God will

overlook all your flaws and give you
grace. If you lack it, God will overlook all
your good deeds and turn Himself
against you.
13.Humility is a vital key to effective and

efficient leadership.
PAYBACK OF HUMILITY
Humility enhances flow of revelation. God

teaches the meek the way to go and ensures
His secrets are with him Ps 25:9, 14. Only the
humble will receive and follow divine
instructions. That’s why the saying goes thus
“God does not lead goats but sheep”
Humility precedes honour.
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A man's pride shall bring him low: but

honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. -
Pro. 29:23
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of

wisdom; and before honour is humility. - Pro.
15:33
Before destruction the heart of man is

haughty, and before honour is humility. -
Pro.18:12
By humility and the fear of the LORD are

riches, and honour, and life. - Pro. 22:4
Humility engenders Supernatural lifting,

Progress/Advancement. 1 Pet 5:5, James 4:6
God who advanced Aaron and Moses is still in

the business of advancing the Just ones, the
humble, today. Remember, the path of the just
shines brighter every day. 2 Sam 12:6).
Humility is key to greatness – Numb. 12:3
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Moses was the meekest person and yet was

the greatest also.
(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all

the men which were upon the face of the
earth.)
FORMULA FOR LIFESTYLE OF

HUMILITY
(How To Live The Humble Life)
It is no surprise that most people who claim to

be humble are actually proud and likewise not
all actions we deem proud are actually pride.
For instance, people who speak with an
unusual accent are probably thought to be
proud.
Sometimes Rich people, prominent people

and confident people are also wrongly accused
to be proud. Many of these people are actually
not proud. You can be rich and be Humble.
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You can be in a High ranking position in any

organization and still be humble. You can
equally be poor and still be proud.
So how can we know when someone is proud

or humble?
In John gospel the fourteenth chapter and

sixth verse, Jesus came to show us the way to
humility, the truth about humility and the life
of Humility. Jesus saith unto him, I am the
way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh
unto the Father, but by me.
His simple formula for humility gives answer

to cure one from Pride. It is to be a Child or a
Servant!
Hear what he said in Matthew 18:4,

whosoever therefore shall humble himself as
this little child, the same is greatest in the
kingdom of heaven. This means that humility
is related to childlikeness as a nature and
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makes one great in the kingdom. First thing to

do is to find the nature of a child. The more
childlike you are the more humble you are.
What then does it mean to be humble as a
child?
A Child is able to quickly forgive and forget,

no matter the hurt.
Children have a short attention span and a

short memory. In a moment you find them in
disagreement with their friends and at the
other, the quarrel is over and they are playing
again. Unlike adults who keeps issues in their
heart against their neighbour until they find
justice.
Adults don’t give up on issues easily as

children. It takes humility to let go of issues.
Pastors display great pride by having conflicts
with each other, fighting even from the pulpit.
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At the beginning of most new godly marriages

their tend to be a sense of humility in the
couples involved until pride comes in and
eventually conflict sets in and no one is ready
to forgive another.
Before long divorce becomes the result of such

marriage. Growing older in marriage is not a
reason to grow Prouder. Truly “…only by pride
cometh contention..” Pro. 13:10. It takes
humility to enjoy the blessings of love and
longevity in marriage.
As a child you are quiet, kin at instructions,

teachings and guidance.
When you are humble as a child it’s easy for

you to receive leading from others. You don’t
seek or claim independence. When you hear
words like “I am not a small boy” who is
teaching over there in the cell fellowship,
when did he/she even joined the church, I
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think if I’m not mistaking I should be better

than him in depth of knowledge so why should
I listen to him” this is one of the reasons you
rarely find rich – but – proud people not
attending small group meetings like cell
fellowship and so on.
They are too big and proud to be taught the

word of God. Perhaps such people will prefer
to attend cathedral meeting in churches to
show their class.
Don’t tell me it’s because you are busy, No! It’s

because you are proud. Remember, while you
were a child you use to be gathered with other
children in a small Sunday school and other
places. That so called big church today was
once a small gathering. It will be a great
blessing for you walking in humility. Remain
small in your eyes were the words the mother
of famous Oral Robert spoke to him as one of
the secrets to maintaining greatness in life.
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As a child you easily learn new things.
It’s a sign of humility when you are given to

learning new things. When we grow up and
start becoming proud we rarely give in to
reading books and learning new things that
God may want us to learn in other to be better
and remain relevant in life and ministry.
Many ministers have come to a plateau
because of their inability to learn new things
and to find out new ways of doing old things.
There are principles to learn to see your
church, businesses, career etc growing but
pride won’t allow it. Indeed, pride keeps
people in a state of permanent fall.
A child easily copy things in other to grow

thereby.
When a Child starts recognizing people

around it, it engages this divine method of
learning in other to grow. Copying the way the
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mother smiles, or how she waves the hand to

imply “bye – bye”. Children copy language
from their mothers and people around them.
But grownups because of pride are unable to
copy something successfully from their
neighbour. When they eventually copy they
hide the fact that they learnt it from someone.
That’s Pride at work! Originality evolves from
copying what exist and improving on it. It
takes great humility to copy someone.
Remember, mentorship requires that you
follow someone’s steps. And if you can’t follow
how shall you be followed.
My father, Bishop David Oyedepo is a product

of many mentors he’s copied from; Is it
Kenneth E. Hagin from whom he received the
baton for the Faith movement, oral Roberts
who he cut the idea of the Covenant University
from. I remember he once said, going through
Oral Roberts University he saw the splendour
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of God’s glory there and he said to himself… if

it happen here it can happen somewhere else
by the hand of God.
The encounter of the wonder double prophetic

agenda that escalated the Winners’ Family
into realms of supernatural exponential
growth was as a result of the mentorship
received from the book of David Yongi Cho, 50
years of Ministering Hope.
I’ve got a very long list of people that I copy

good things from, that’s the reason for my
success in life and ministry and guess what,
I’m still growing!.
When will you start copying good things from

someone so you can have a forceful change of
level too? If I have seen any farther Isaac
Newton said, it is because I have stood on the
shoulder of those ahead of me.
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To be humble as a child you are not conscious

of the wealth of others, their nationality or
position in the society.
Children of the rich and poor could play

together without bothering themselves of their
father’s wealth, nationality or position in
society until their proud parents start to create
a sense of discrimination.
When you grow up and you become proud it

will be normal for you to want to know how
wealthy someone is before associating with
them. You want to know where they came
from and perhaps their status in the society
before accepting a marital proposal. It is pride
at work.
Proud ministers will preach to the pocket of

the wealthy, high and mighty in the church.
Do I remind you that your pride will keep you
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from true ministry because it’s keeping you

from the poor?
When you are humble like a child you do not

cover your natural weaknesses.
A Proud person will all the time need to keep

up appearances and impress the world around
them. A child can stand by the road side and
bathe without thinking much about it.
However, when you lose your innocence and
your humility you are unable to undress or
bathe by the roadside. You are conscious of
what you look like and what people think of
you.
A child doesn’t live to impress anybody, it’s

just natural. Many ladies do not present their
real and normal selves to the world around
them. They are full of pleasantries that are not
real outside. This is a sign they are far from
been a childlike humble person.
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A little child is trusting and believing.
Little children can believe just any story

especially when those stories are captivating
biblical or moral inciting ones. When you are
humble like a child you believe the scriptures
and doctrines of Christ. Be it on giving,
miracles, signs and wonders, liberality like the
story of the Good Samaritan.
However, when a man is grown up and is

become proud, he sees those bible stories as
fallacies and questionable. Sometimes he says
they can only happen in the days of Christ and
not in this new age of extreme technology. Try
talking with a proud and arrogant man about
the Church after any service you will realize
you were actually talking with a religious
analyst.
Discussing how the Pastor’s sermon has not

really touched him but only needed to wait till
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the service ends so as not to cause

distractions.
If you find yourself guilty of this, beloved it is

time to humble yourself and receive the
messengers and messages God has for you for
the hour. Instead of analysing, why not
intercede for impactful ministration on behalf
of the Pastor so as to see souls come to
salvation. Repent!
A child like humility will make you not to be

conscious of your living circumstances.
Whether it is a duplex you are staying or a

muddy house in the village it doesn’t matter.
Everywhere was good as long as your parents
were there. Pride makes people want to be a
citizen of Europe, Dubai and other developed
places on the earth even when they realized
they are born in the developing continent of
Africa. Do you know what? As long as your
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heavenly Father is there with you it’s the best

place for the hour. This is one of my
philosophies as a minister of the gospel of
Christ.
You will not be able to serve God well if you

are unnecessarily circumstance conscious.
This will affect your worship of God in Church
in case there are not enough sophisticated
equipment or instruments on the ground to
suit the kind you are expecting to see. Pride in
full operation in you will make you want to
live in places because of the name, wealth and
prosperity of the land. Beware!
To be humble like a child mean you do not

answer back or ague or challenge.
Does this not speak of making one a dummy?

Answer, NO! When you are spoken to in the
class as a humble child you do not argue or
challenge your Teachers. When the Teacher
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asks why you are late to class, there won’t be a

response like “why are you talking about
lateness when yourself came late yesterday?”
it will be hell for such child who will reply this
way you know. The Bible refer to a child like
this as children of Belilia (Disobedient)
Also in marriages, humility can be lost forever.

Some homes will require CCTVs for you to see
what goes on in the bed room. You’ll hear all
kinds of arguments, challenging and brutal
responses to things or issues that an iota of
humbleness would have solved.
In addition to the aforementioned Lifestyle of

Humility as a Child one must embrace
adventure, excitement and new things. You
allow yourself to be cared for and not you
helping yourself. You are bendable, teachable
and not stubborn or unyielding. You are open
and transparent not secretive and closed up.
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You express your need for others and not

living as though independent of others.
HOW TO BE HUMBLE LIKE A

SERVANT
But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest

among you, let him be as the younger; and he
that is chief, as he that doth serve.
For weather is greater, he that sitteth at

meat, or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth
at meat? But I am among you as he that
serveth. – Lk. 22:26-27
Just like it became pertinent for us to study

childlikeness in order to know how to be
humble like a child so also it’s necessary to
study and ponder on, even if in brief of what
servant-hood is all about in relation to the
subject of Humility.
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Once more, it is easy to say to someone

“Humble yourself” but what is expected of him
or her to prove servant-likeness humility? Is it
to keep silent always, live in old house where
the new ones exist? Bow when speaking?
Wear old clothes? Say, please often in
statements? Speak with a soft voice? Shake or
bend the knees when speaking to superiors?
It is important not to assume one is humble. I

humbly submit here that though I am the
author of this book I need this message as
much as the person reading this book now.
Though a servant of the Most High the
tendencies of pride may be found in me too.
These will lead us into finding out the way to

be humble like a servant. However, we must
remember that our reference point in
proffering answers to this question is Jesus.
He said, “… but I am among you as he that
serveth”.
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To be humble like a servant;
It’s to want to serve and not just to be served –

Luke 8:2-3. Willingness to serve is one of the
ways to show humility.
Not needing to be thanked or acknowledge for

everything especially your contributions. –
Luke 17:10. You are far from being a servant if
your name has to be mentioned as present in
church or in a vote of thanks.
Not needing to be seated in a prominent place

of honour. – John 3:30. Your strong desire to
be seated on the front row reveals your pride.
Don’t forget that events are meant for
encounters that will make you a contributor to
the world. Therefore, it’s not about the place
you sit but the services you render and the
state of your heart.
You can be sent anywhere to do anything for

the lord. Many of the villages and towns which
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need missionaries are abandoned because

there is no one who can be sent to these
places. Indeed, the church is no longer filled
with humble servants but with pride-filled
house owners and car owners.
You acknowledge and honour the Master God

has placed over you. – Mal. 1:6. The bible
teaches us to honour fathers, mothers,
pastors, elders, teachers and masters. When
this becomes like a burden in your life, you
have developed an invisible cloak of pride.
Your difficulty in differing to and honoring
these people is the indication that you are not
a servant.
You patiently wait and take instructions. –

Matt. 8:9. When you come out of a doctor’s
office, whom do you see in the waiting room?
Humble patients waiting to see the doctor! If
you are too big to wait, you are too big to be a
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servant and therefore you are too big to be

elevated in life.
Also notice your impatience as you blow your

horn and scream at the other drivers because
you can’t wait.
Notice your irritation with people you think

should be faster at what they are doing. These
are some of the indications that you are losing
your servant’s ability to wait.
You promote your master in everything. Isaiah

14:13.
When you lose your humility you are no

longer ready to remain in obscurity.
The church is filled with self – promoting

ministers. Do we promote ourselves? Why do
we want to be known? Is it about us or is it
about our Lord Jesus? These things reveal a
subtle pride that has crept into ministry this
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day. Paul said we preach not ourselves …2

Cor. 4:5
You are willing to be trained in your work.

Ecclesiastes 4:13
The starting point of servant- hood is the

training a servant received. You can never be a
servant unless you are trained to do things
that your master knows, likes and wants. It
takes serious humility and discipline to be
trained and retrained. Humility is key to
entering new doors in the kingdom. Pride
makes you unable to be trained. I have worked
with quite a number of them as staff members
and including some of my associates.
When you are humble like a servant you are

content with meager or basic conditions for
your life, until humility is lost and you can no
longer accept basic conditions. – Luke 9:58.
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Every real servant is content with lowly

conditions.
You are happy and willing to do menial jobs.

John 6:12 / 2 Kings 3:11. As you go higher you
must not think of yourself as being above any
Job. Especially in the service of the Lord’s
house. You must be prepared to engage in
spiritual stewardship, such as soul winning
and praying to see the advancement of the
kingdom. However, you must prepare to work
in the toilets, kitchen, or on the construction
yard. A pastor must be ready to do domestic
works and not think that anything is
demeaning, degrading or ignoble. Be willing to
do menial jobs.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist

the devil, and he will flee from you. - James
4:7
Please say this prayer with me:
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Lord Jesus… I come to you with an open

heart, hurt and helpless within; I need your
help and mercy. Forgive me my sins and
deliver me from them all and the powers of
Satan. Come into my heart right now! Be my
Lord and savior! I believe you died and rose
again that I may live and be justified. Thank
you for your work done on me.
Now I believe, that I’ve been forgiven, I am

saved, I am a child of God, I am born again.
Amen!
Jesus cursed the fig tree, now YOU TOO CAN

CURSE THE SPIRIT OF PRIDE FROM
KEEPING YOU UNDER ITS TORMENT. –
Mk. 11:14, 20, 21
Now open your mouth wide and release a

curse in the name of JESUS on the spirit of
pride tormenting your life.
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Epilogue
Is there anything wrong with being proud?

Before you answer finally recall all that we
have discussed in this book. Check out the
outcomes of Pride and Humility then take a
stand. Your choice is the only vote your
greatness requires.
Nothing limits destiny like Pride. Nothing

honours the believers like Humility.
Therefore, Beware of Pride!
No matter who you are in the kingdom of God,

your life will not be any better than the
encounter you have with a word from God.
However, the word that promotes life must be
received with meekness. Wherefore lay apart
all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness,
and receive with meekness the engrafted
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word, which is able to save your souls. (James

1:21). Revelation pipe gets blocked when Pride
thrives. And to be revelation bankrupt is to be
frustration bound. In the first epistle of Paul
to the Corinthian church, the eight Chapter
and second verse he remarked thus;
“And if any man think that he knoweth

anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought
to know.”
God is deep and His knowledge is

unsearchable. One thing I know will help a
child of God to maintain a life of righteousness
that leads to greatness is Revelation
Knowledge. Often times I have realized that
Proud people don’t like new things. Change is
a problem to Old minds. The Old wine is
always good to the Proud - Luke 5:39. You
must therefore, understand that as we grow in
revelation we grow in glory. 2 Cor. 3:18. When
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one is true with learning he is through with

living.
No one thrives with Pride. We are what we are

by the grace of God. And grace is nothing that
you paid for, that should get us humble.
Nothing denies access to grace like pride…
and grace is needed to be great. I DECREE
OVER YOUR LIFE THAT NOTHING WILL
STOP YOUR GREATNESS IN JESUS NAME!
You must learn from Nebuchadnezzar how

Pride turns Kings into Beasts (Daniel 4:30-
32). Please be small in your eyes. The meeker
you are the richer, as the meek shall inherit
the earth (Mathew 5:5). Pride is a silent
destroyer. It is a spiritual cancer. Herod the
king who made an oration but forgot to glorify
God died of this kind of cancer – Acts 12:23.
Every act of disorderly life is traceable to
pride. Moses the meekest was equally the
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greatest in his days. No destiny will ever be

great than its meekness content.
NO PROUD CHILD OF GOD HAS A

FUTURE.
Spiritual Pride also limits the level of

responsibilities you can ever handle for God.
God will not entrust into any man beyond his
capacity building (Matt. 25:16). So build up by
engaging the prayer altar as a lifestyle; praying
for kingdom interest, personal empowerment
for dominion over things and life’s issues.
Praying always gets you empowered and
makes you humble. 2 Cor. 11:27. Build up
capacity by word practice – Acts 20:32. It is
the applied truth that builds you up against
pride and all other satanic vices not the
revealed truth. Matt. 7:24-26. Therefore,
receive grace to do all that you have read,
received and embraced from this material in
the name of Jesus Christ. I curse the spirit of
123
Pride from further torment on your life and

destiny in Jesus name. Be empowered to do!
Be free from Pride in Jesus name!
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers

only, deceiving your own selves.”
“For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a

doer, he is like unto a man beholding his
natural face in a glass:”
“For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way,

and straightway forgetteth what manner of
man he was.”
“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of

liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a
forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this
man shall be blessed in his deed.” James
1:22-25
124
SUGGESTED MATERIALS FOR

FURTHER STUDIES
Formula for humility by Dag Heward – Mill

(Author of bestselling Loyalty and Disloyalty)
Conquering controlling powers - David O.

Oyedepo
From Dream to Destiny (10 Character tests to

fulfill destiny; Pride Test) – Pst. Robert Morris
of Gateway Church, South lake Texas, USA
Service; the Pathway to Honour – David

Abioye
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2014/
07/06/pride-quotes-20-important-sayings/
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/pride
125
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kayode Patrick Praise is a minister of the

gospel of Christ Jesus with Living Faith
Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel
int’l. He is summoned with a 4R restoration
mission and that is, to Rebuild The Old
Waste Places, Repair Broken Breaches,
Raise Foundation Of Many Generations
And Restore Path To Dwell In.
A privileged protégé and son of the prophet,

Dr. David O. Oyedepo under whose pastoral
Leadership and Church ministry he serves as a
Pastor and co-partaker with the undertaker of
the liberation commission.
He is passionate to see People live the

Overcomers’ life that’s why he has searched
deep into the mind of God in order to
proffered answers to How the believer can
126
recognize Pride, be convinced of his or her

pride status, know its dangers and scriptural
steps to conquering the spirit of Pride so as to
live a lifestyle of Humility. That’s why
knowing your pride quotient and how to deal
with it for profitable living is a must to own
and read.
He is married to his lovely wife Janet and they

are blessed with three Children, Shield of
Faith, Judah and Salem.
127
ABOUT THIS BOOK
It is no surprise that most people who claim to

be humble are actually proud and likewise not
all actions we deem proud are actually pride.
For instance, people who speak with an
unusual accent are probably thought to be
proud. Sometimes Rich people, prominent
people and confident people are also wrongly
accused to be proud. Many of these people are
actually not proud. You can be rich and be
Humble. You can be in a High ranking
position in any organization and still be
humble. You can equally be poor and still be
proud.
So how can we know when someone is proud

or humble? And how do I deal with it so that it
won’t injure my glorious destiny?
It is easy to say to someone “Humble yourself”

but what is expected of him or her to prove
128
servant-likeness humility? Is it to keep silent

always, live in old house where the new ones
exist? Bow when speaking? Wear old clothes?
Say, please often in statements? Speak with a
soft voice? Shake or bend the knees when
speaking to superiors?
These and many more questions were given

practical but scripture - based answers in this
book. You will also Discover 15 Sign Post To
Overcoming Pride!
NOTHING IS WRONG WITH BEING

PROUD!
Examine yourselves, as to whether you are in

the faith; … Unless indeed you are
disqualified. 2Cor. 13:10NKJV
To disdain this book and not read it is a proof

of your ignoring the truth and that in itself is
PRIDE!
This book is a must read for everyone …
129
“Let others pride themselves about

how many pages they have
written; I'd rather boast about the
ones I've read.” - Jorge Luis Borges
130

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PRIDE CHECK

Knowing your pride quotient and

DAVID'S MIGHTY MEN PUBLISHING HOUSE

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in

Magazines, articles or reviews, etc.

For further information or permission, address:

DAVID'S MIGHTY MEN PUBLISHING HOUSE

Opposite Post office, Off Ochiagha Bus-Stop, Ihiagwa,

Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

Tel: 234-813 608 3042, +234-816 929 7966

Or reach us on the internet:

Chapter One: PRIDE; A PRODUCT OF THE SIN NATURE…14

Chapter Two: THERE IS A PLACE FOR YIU AT THE TOP IF

Chapter Three: THE DISTRACTIONS OF PURSUIT…31

Chapter Four: SIGN POSTS ALONG THE ROAD OF PRIDE…40

Chapter Five: DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES OF PRIDE…68

Chapter Six: DEALING WITH PRIDE…77

Chapter Seven: LIFESTYLE OF HUMILITY…87

SUGGESTED MATERIALS FOR FURTHER STUDIES…125

ABOUT THE AUTHOR…126

ABOUT THIS BOOK…128

To Jesus the greatest example of humility,

Big “well done” to my friends who proof read

Finally, thanks to Asbot Graphics for great

I am sincerely grateful to God for the gift of

I celebrate my precious wife, Oluwatowo Janet

"Nothing Is Wrong with

This thought is truly overwhelming and

The Bible puts it right as it says “pride goes

That is, there is a destiny of greatness locked

On the road to greatness there are many pot

mandates on such lives, ask Samson, David

There are certain foxes that hinder and

It’s quite unfortunate that many people chase

before you; life and death, blessings or

Pride is one of the weapons that may not be

destructive pride or not, and to as well know

Why Pride you may ask? It is one of three

Songs of Solomon 2:15: Take

Chapter One: PRIDE; A PRODUCT

1 John 2:15-17: Love not the world, neither

For all that is in the world, the lust of the

And the world passeth away, and the lust

When Christ came, He brought abundant life

man’s destruction by Satan was primarily

In this context, I may not be too far from what

Pride is an offshoot of the ‘spirit of the world’.

things of this world (and most of the time)

If Pride of life is engineered by the spirit of the

1 Cor. 2:12: Now we have received, not the

The spirit of the world will not allow you to

“I am not proud, but I am happy; and

The sin nature is controlled by the spirit of the

including becoming so abnormally proud. It is

Don’t be too sure you are not proud or you

One’s determination or self-resolution alone

My resolution therefore is that everyone born

“Most of the trouble in the world is

The first cure is REGENERATION; that is,

It is allowing God’s way of life to influence you

Outside of this, the capacity for pride in each

2 Cor. 3:18: 18 But we all,

Once again don’t underestimate yourself,

The second cure is the constant RENEWAL