I am the greatest. Not only do I knock 'em out, I pick the round! Muhammad Ali

The Problem

• Men want and need to feel good about themselves.
• Pride is a sin of comparison in which we compare our strengths to the other fellow's weaknesses.

Two Types of Pride

• Pride Type 1. Rather than testing our self worth by comparison to others, we are encouraged to self-examination.
• Pride Type 2. A feeling of superiority brought about by looking down on others.

Two Types of Humility

• Humility Type 1. Not thinking more highly of yourself than you ought.
• Humility Type 2. Thinking too lowly of yourself. Self- deprecation.

Keeping the Right Balance

• We don't look down on others, but we have tested our actions, and take pride without comparing ourself to others.
• We don't think more highly of ourselves than we ought to, but we soberly think well of ourselves.

Sources of Pride

• Too much success can cause us to forget who and what we are.
• A man who does not fear God becomes so proud that he cannot detect his own sinfulness.
• We put a great deal of effort into making ourselves feel important.

Symptoms

• One symptom of pride is a dead giveaway -- constant critiquing of others.
• Another is blindness to the needs of others.
• Unwillingness to associate with people of lower position is yet another symptom.