Pride: The Ancient Plague That Brings Destruction By: Major Frank Materu
Key Scripture: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” – Proverbs 16:18
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Introduction
In these times, it is crucial for the people of God to understand the spiritual dangers that threaten both nations and individual lives. One of the greatest threats is pride—a plague that has existed since the fall of the first created beings. Pride is more than an attitude; it is a spiritual disease that blinds the heart, hardens the mind, and lures humanity into destruction. Nations rise and fall, communities collapse, and individuals are ensnared, all because of the intoxicating power of pride.
This lesson is intended to reveal the nature of pride, its origin, its destructive consequences, and the way of safety that God provides. Through careful examination of Scripture and divine revelation, we will explore how pride manifests in the lives of men and women, how it blinds people to truth, and how it opens the door to demonic deception. More importantly, we will see the path to humility, obedience, and life eternal through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.
Pride is subtle, often disguised as confidence, self-sufficiency, or ambition. It entices humanity with promises of greatness while obscuring the danger of eternal ruin. This lesson seeks to awaken believers to the reality of pride’s deadly influence and to provide practical guidance for cultivating humility and dependence upon God.
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Pride: The Root of Spiritual Blindness
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” – Proverbs 11:2
Pride is a plague because it distorts perception. It convinces men and women that they are self-sufficient, wise in their own eyes, and superior to the guidance of God. This spiritual intoxication blinds individuals to correction and leads them into error. History demonstrates that when a nation or a people grow drunk on pride, they are vulnerable to destruction.
Pride was the sin of Lucifer, the first created being to fall from heaven. His rebellion originated in self-exaltation and a refusal to submit to God’s authority. The same principle applies to humanity: pride separates people from divine instruction, corrupts their understanding, and opens the way for demonic deception.
Individuals intoxicated by pride often invest their lives in vanity—chasing wealth, status, and appearance—believing these will secure their value and influence. Yet, God declares that such pursuits are empty and destructive. What the world applauds may be abhorrent in His sight, for outward displays of grandeur cannot substitute for inner obedience and reverence.
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The Manifestation of Pride in Nations
“The LORD brings down the proud, but the humble he guides in justice.” – Psalm 147:6
Pride does not remain hidden; it manifests in societies and nations that reject God. Nations fall because they elevate themselves above divine instruction, idolize human achievement, and ignore the warnings of prophets and righteous voices. History records repeatedly that those who trust in their own wisdom, culture, or power are brought low by God.
Leaders intoxicated with pride lead their people into corruption, injustice, and eventual devastation. When rulers proclaim their greatness while disregarding God, the people they govern suffer the consequences. Just as God judged the proud kings and nations of old, He continues to act in the present day to expose pride and bring correction.
Pride in nations manifests not only in leadership but also in the collective mindset of a people. When a society celebrates vanity, superficiality, and self-worship, it becomes spiritually blind, vulnerable to deception, and ripe for judgment.
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Pride as a Personal Snare
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” – James 4:10
On an individual level, pride blinds the mind and hardens the heart. People become self-reliant, rejecting God’s counsel, and trusting only in their own strength. This creates a vulnerability to spiritual attacks, demonic influence, and destructive choices.
The proud often ignore correction, resist accountability, and elevate themselves above others. This behavior mirrors the ancient pattern of rebellion that led to the fall of many before them. God desires His people to walk in humility, seeking His guidance and relying on His strength for daily life. Humility does not mean weakness; it is the pathway to wisdom, favor, and spiritual authority.
Those who resist pride and walk humbly are protected and guided. Their decisions align with God’s will, and they are delivered from the snares set by the enemy. Conversely, those who embrace pride after receiving redemption through Jesus Christ are in greater danger, for they knowingly return to deception and bondage.
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Pride Leads to Destruction and Damnation
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” – James 4:6
Pride’s ultimate consequence is destruction. Those who cling to pride are bound by their own delusions and the lies of the devil. Even when individuals possess the truth and experience God’s mercy, pride can lure them back into spiritual slavery. This rebellion is counted as folly, and the Scriptures warn that the proud will face judgment.
Pride manifests in many forms—wealth, beauty, status, intellect, and self-importance. All these become idols when they take precedence over God. The deceitful nature of pride ensures that its victims remain blind to the spiritual peril they face. Without humility and submission to God, destruction is inevitable.
God’s mercy is extended to all, but persistent pride leads to increased delusion. The Scriptures confirm that those who reject correction are in danger of double judgment because they have known the truth and turned from it. Pride, therefore, is both a spiritual trap and a path to eternal loss.
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The Call to Humility
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3
God calls His people to humility, the antidote to pride. Humility is not weakness but a recognition of dependence on God and submission to His will. It protects the heart from deception, allows the Spirit to guide the mind, and opens the door to divine wisdom.
Walking in humility requires constant vigilance. Believers must examine their hearts daily, surrendering any tendencies toward self-exaltation. This spiritual discipline ensures that God’s favor remains upon them and that they are shielded from the snares of the enemy.
True humility manifests in service, gratitude, and reverence for God. It values obedience over recognition, eternal priorities over temporary accolades, and God’s will above self-interest. Those who embrace humility are lifted in due time, for God opposes the proud but exalts the meek.
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Summary
Pride is a pervasive plague affecting both individuals and nations. Its consequences are profound: spiritual blindness, deception, rebellion, and ultimately destruction. It manifests in self-reliance, vanity, and rejection of God’s authority. History demonstrates the devastating power of pride, and the Scriptures provide clear warnings.
Conversely, humility is the pathway to life, wisdom, protection, and divine favor. Believers who walk humbly are guided by the Spirit, shielded from deception, and positioned to experience the blessings of God. Pride may tempt and intoxicate, but humility secures salvation and eternal life.
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Conclusion
Beloved, take heed of pride in your own heart, in your community, and in the nations around you. Recognize its subtleties and guard against its influence. The path of pride leads to destruction, but the path of humility leads to life everlasting. Let the Word of God and the Spirit’s guidance be your constant source of discernment and strength.
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Call to Action
Examine your life honestly. Repent of any pride, consciously surrender your will to God, and seek His guidance in all things. Walk daily in humility, obedience, and gratitude. Value others above yourself, and allow God’s Spirit to correct, guide, and uplift you. Stand firm against the seductions of pride and the illusions of the world.
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Final Word of Encouragement
Take comfort, beloved, that as you walk in humility, God’s power surrounds you. You are kept in His mercy and delivered from the snares of the proud. Even when the world exalts the arrogant, God’s favor rests upon the humble. Rejoice in the safety, guidance, and blessings that come from choosing God’s way over self-exaltation.
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Salvation Prayer
Heavenly Father, I come before You in the name of Jesus Christ. I acknowledge my need for You and confess any pride in my heart. Forgive me for trusting in myself rather than You. Cleanse me with the blood of Jesus and fill me with Your Spirit of humility and wisdom. Teach me to walk in obedience and gratitude, to honor You in all I do, and to reject the snares of pride. I accept Your salvation and the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Strengthen me to live for You daily. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Obedience, Communion, and the Life of Perfect Peace
By: Major Frank Materu
Key Scripture:
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” — James 1:22
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Introduction
From the beginning of creation, God’s desire for humanity has been clear and unchanging: that human beings would live in loving dependence upon Him, walking in obedience, communion, and fellowship as their Creator and Master. Humanity was never designed to exist independently from God, nor to define life, truth, or purpose apart from Him. True life has always been found in obedience, not autonomy; in submission, not self-rule.
The words before us confront one of the greatest deceptions of our time—the belief that independence from God is strength, wisdom, or progress. In reality, such independence is rebellion, and rebellion always leads to separation, desolation, and ultimately destruction. God speaks plainly: when He speaks, He expects His people to hear and obey. Accountability is inseparable from revelation. To know His Word without doing it is not neutrality; it is self-deception.
This lesson addresses the divine intention for obedience, the tragedy of rebellion that began in Eden, the gift of the Holy Spirit as our constant guide, and the danger of pride, folly, and self-idolatry. It also offers strong encouragement to believers living in uncertain and unstable times, reminding them that they are not alone, not abandoned, and not destined for despair. Instead, they are called to live in communion with God, guided by His Spirit, walking in perfect peace even in the midst of global confusion.
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God’s Call to Hear and Obey
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” — John 14:15
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When God speaks, He does so with intention. His Word is never casual, optional, or merely informational. Divine speech demands response. From the earliest days of humanity, obedience has been the defining mark of relationship with God. To hear His voice without obeying it is to reject His authority while pretending devotion.
God makes it clear that His people are accountable to be doers of His Word. Obedience is not legalism; it is love expressed through action. It is the acknowledgment that God is Master and that His wisdom far exceeds human understanding. Obedience is not burdensome to those who truly know Him, because it flows from trust rather than fear.
The tragedy of many lives is not ignorance of God’s will, but resistance to it. God never intended His people to negotiate with His commands. His Word is life, protection, and direction. To obey it is to walk in alignment with His purposes and to experience the fruit of His goodness.
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Dependence, Not Independence, Was God’s Design
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” — Proverbs 3:5
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One of the greatest lies ever told to humanity is that independence from God leads to fulfillment. God reminds us that while He is self-existent, humanity is not. Human beings were created, sustained, and designed to live in dependence upon Him. To imagine otherwise is foolishness.
God did not create humankind to live in separation from Him. Humanity was designed for companionship, fellowship, and daily communion with its Creator. Independence from God is not maturity; it is rebellion disguised as wisdom. When people idolize self-sufficiency, they deny the very source of their existence.
True strength is found in dependence on God. True freedom is found in submission to His will. Those who choose independence over dependence cut themselves off from life, guidance, and peace, and they inevitably fall into confusion and despair.
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The Fall and the Cost of Disobedience
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” — Romans 6:23
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The fall of Adam and Eve stands as a solemn testimony to the destructive power of disobedience. By listening to the enemy and embracing rebellion, they shattered the harmony of fellowship with God. Sin introduced separation, not because God desired distance, but because holiness cannot coexist with rebellion.
Yet even in judgment, God did not abandon His intentions. Though Adam and Eve were banished, God’s redemptive purpose continued. Separation remains the natural consequence of sin, but restoration has always been God’s desire. Every act of disobedience still brings distance, confusion, and loss, while every act of repentance restores communion.
God’s mercy is evident in His continued pursuit of humanity, calling them back from rebellion into relationship. Sin always separates, but obedience always restores.
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The Gift and Guidance of the Holy Spirit
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.” — John 16:13
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God has not left His people alone to navigate life’s complexities. The Holy Spirit has been given as a constant guide, comforter, and counselor. Through the Spirit, believers are led daily in the pathway God provides. This guidance is not optional; it is essential.
Those who walk attentively to the Spirit’s leading are kept in God’s purposes and preserved from desolation of soul. The Spirit brings assurance, clarity, and peace even when external circumstances are unstable. To ignore His guidance is to invite confusion; to follow it is to experience divine order.
God urges His people never to cease from relying on the Spirit. Communion with God is sustained through sensitivity to His voice and willingness to obey His direction.
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The Desolation of Those Separated from God
“The way of transgressors is hard.” — Proverbs 13:15
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The world is filled with multitudes who live in deep loneliness and desolation of soul. Having rejected God, they turn to false comforts—sin, idols, and demonic influences. These substitutes promise relief but deliver bondage.
Those who walk apart from God become captives of sin, driven by forces that do not love them and cannot save them. Their rebellion leaves them empty, fearful, and restless. God’s heart grieves over such lives, yet He makes clear that their condition is the result of their own choices.
In contrast, those who walk in obedience receive goodness, mercy, comfort, and communion. God repeatedly blesses those who remain faithful, ensuring they are not abandoned to despair.
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Walking Without Fear in Uncertain Times
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” — Psalm 46:1
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The times in which we live are marked by instability, uncertainty, and fear. Many wake each day burdened by dread of the unknown. Yet God declares that His people are not meant to live in fear. His Spirit dwells within them, offering assurance and direction.
By remaining attentive and obedient to the Spirit, believers are preserved from the despair that overwhelms the world. God’s peace does not come from predictable circumstances, but from His faithful presence. Those who walk in obedience please God and are kept within His purposes.
Fear loses its power when faith is active. Obedience anchors the soul, even when the future is unclear.
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The Deadly Nature of Rebellion and Pride
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” — Proverbs 16:18
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Rebellion is not a minor flaw; it is a deadly force. Pride fuels rebellion by convincing people they know better than God. Such pride is spiritual drunkenness, blinding individuals to truth and leading them deeper into folly.
Those who idolize themselves imagine they are clever, yet God declares them foolish. By choosing death over life, they forfeit everything of lasting value. Pride separates, blinds, and ultimately destroys.
Believers are warned to reject pride, remain humble, and walk in gratitude. Wisdom is found in submission, not self-exaltation.
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Suffering, Seduction, and the Promise of Peace
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” — Isaiah 26:3
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Suffering is not an invitation to compromise. God warns His people not to accept the devil’s seductions during times of hardship. Many plagues afflicting the world are the result of rebellion and hatred toward God.
God’s intention is not that His people be plagued, but that they live in perfect peace. This peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of trust. Those who remain obedient and focused on God are preserved from spiritual devastation.
Perfect peace is the inheritance of those who trust God fully and walk according to His Spirit.
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Summary
God calls His people to hear and obey His Word, to live in dependence rather than independence, and to walk in daily communion with Him. Disobedience leads to separation and desolation, while obedience brings peace, guidance, and blessing. Through the Holy Spirit, believers are never alone and never without direction.
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Conclusion
Obedience is not loss; it is life. Dependence on God is not weakness; it is wisdom. In a world filled with rebellion, fear, and pride, God’s people are called to stand apart—humble, grateful, obedient, and at peace. God remains faithful to those who walk in His ways.
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Call to Action
Choose today to be a doer of God’s Word. Reject pride, rebellion, and self-sufficiency. Commit yourself afresh to obedience, gratitude, and daily communion with the Holy Spirit. Walk confidently in the peace God has promised.
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Final Word of Encouragement
You are not alone, not abandoned, and not destined for despair. God walks with you, guides you, and keeps you. As you obey Him, you will experience the fullness of peace, purpose, and life He has prepared for you.
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Salvation Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I acknowledge that You are God and that I need You. I repent of my sins and turn away from rebellion and pride. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son, that He died for my sins and rose again. I receive Your forgiveness and surrender my life to You.
Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Teach me to walk in obedience, humility, and gratitude. From this day forward, I choose life, truth, and communion with You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
