We learned last week that Insecurity was what affected Moses, and how God was with him. This week we see how Pride affected Peter, which led to hardship and disappointment.
We must remember that Pride is the original sin. It was Pride the cause Adam and Eve to rebel against God’s directions. Insecurity gave way to Pride, which led to alienation from God.
What Is Pride?
Pride is an inflated view of oneself that leads us to trust in our own strength, wisdom, or righteousness instead of relying on God. It can manifest as arrogance, self-reliance, defensiveness, or even hidden insecurity that resists correction or vulnerability.
Biblical Characteristics of Pride:
- Self-exalting – Putting ourselves above others or above God’s authority
- Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
- Self-reliant – Depending on our own ability, not God’s strength
- Jeremiah 17:5 – “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh…”
- Unteachable – Rejecting correction or counsel
- Proverbs 13:10 – “Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”
- Image-driven – More concerned with appearance than authenticity
- Galatians 6:3 – “If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.”
Two Faces of Pride:
- Overt Pride – Arrogance, superiority, boastfulness
- Hidden Pride – Insecurity, self-pity, fear of failure (still self-focused)
Pride isn’t always loud—it can also be quiet, anxious, and self-protective. Either way, pride says, “I can do this on my own,” instead of, “I need God.”
God’s View of Pride:
- God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble James 4:6
- Pride was the original sin (Isaiah 14:12–15; Ezekiel 28:17), both in Satan and in humanity (Genesis 3).
In Summary:
Pride is the posture of independence from God, whether expressed in arrogance or masked by insecurity. It focuses on self instead of surrender.
Note:
Like Peter, we often mask our insecurities with pride—overpromising, overcompensating, or defending ourselves to avoid appearing weak. We declare loyalty, strength, or certainty, not realizing we’re leaning on self instead of grace. But pride rooted in insecurity will always collapse under pressure. It affects our relationships, our leadership, and even our walk with God—until we, like Peter, are willing to be broken, honest, and restored by Christ’s love.
Peter’s journey from pride to humility was forged not through success, but through failure—his bold confidence collapsed under pressure, but it was grace, not shame, that rebuilt him. What changed him wasn’t willpower, but a face-to-face encounter with the risen Jesus, who met him in his brokenness and called him to lead from a place of dependence, not self-reliance.
Pride vs. Humility – A Biblical Comparison Chart
| Category | Pride | Humility |
|---|---|---|
| View of Self | Overestimates ability or value; self-exalting | Sees self accurately; neither inflated nor self-deprecating |
| Dependency | Relies on self: “I’ve got this.” | Relies on God: “Apart from You, I can do nothing.” |
| Response to Correction | Defensive, dismissive, offended | Teachable, reflective, willing to grow |
| Attitude Toward Others | Competitive or comparative | Servant-hearted and honoring |
| Motivation | Seeks recognition, control, or approval | Seeks God’s glory and others’ good |
| Speech | Boastful, self-centered, or critical | Honest, gracious, encouraging |
| Vulnerability | Avoids exposure of weakness | Freely admits need and weakness |
| Fear of Man | Image-driven, anxious about perception | God-fearing, secure in identity |
| Spiritual Posture | Says: “I can handle it.” | Says: “God, I need You.” |
| Scriptural Result | “God opposes the proud…” (James 4:6) | “…but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6) |
Pride pushes God away to protect self. Humility draws near to God and admits, “I can’t do this without You.”
The Message
Matthew 26:31
“Then Jesus told them, ‘This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.”’”
Cross-Reference:
Zechariah 13:7 – “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered…”
John 16:32 – “A time is coming… when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone.”
Why We Struggle: We resist believing that we are vulnerable to failure. We overestimate our strength and underestimate our fear. Jesus, knowing their hearts, names a coming failure they can’t yet see in themselves.
Matthew 26:32
“But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
Cross-Reference:
Matthew 28:7 – “Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.’”
John 21:1 – Jesus appears to them at the Sea of Galilee.
Why We Struggle: We often focus so much on our shortcomings or impending challenges that we miss the hope and restoration God already has planned. Jesus promises reunion and restoration even before their failure occurs—but they don’t hear it.
Matthew 26:33
“Peter replied, ‘Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.’”
Cross-Reference:
Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
1 Corinthians 10:12 – “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
Why We Struggle: Insecurity can manifest as pride. Peter wants to be loyal—but his confidence is in himself. We do the same: pledging faithfulness without humbly acknowledging our limits or need for grace.
Matthew 26:34
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
Cross-Reference:
Luke 22:31–32 – “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you… that your faith may not fail.”
John 13:38 – “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!”
Why We Struggle: We are shocked by the idea that we could fail so soon or so deeply. Jesus lovingly exposes Peter’s blind spot—not to shame him, but to prepare him for the grace that will come afterward. We often don’t realize the depth of our weakness until it shows.
Matthew 26:35
“But Peter declared, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’ And all the other disciples said the same.”
Cross-Reference:
Romans 7:18 – “For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.”
Mark 14:50 – “Then everyone deserted him and fled.”
Why We Struggle: We equate good intentions with guaranteed outcomes. Like Peter, we assume passion will carry us through persecution. But the flesh is weak—even when the spirit is willing (Matthew 26:41). We struggle because we don’t factor in our spiritual frailty and need for the Spirit’s power.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus knows our weaknesses—and still chooses us.
- Pride often masks insecurity, and both set us up for failure if not surrendered to Christ.
- Good intentions aren’t enough—we need dependence on God, not confidence in self.
- Failure doesn’t disqualify us—Jesus promises restoration even before we fall.
Head, Heart, Hand
Head (What should I know?)
- Jesus knows our strengths and our failures in advance.
- Pride and overconfidence often grow from unaddressed insecurity.
- God offers restoration on the other side of failure.
Heart (What should I feel?)
- Humbled that Jesus knows my weakness and still loves me.
- Grateful for grace that doesn’t abandon me when I fall.
- Hopeful that restoration is part of His plan, not an afterthought.
Hand (What should I do?)
- Pray for humility and spiritual alertness before trials come.
- Lean on God’s strength, not self-confidence.
- Encourage others with grace after failure—because Jesus does the same.