Tyranny of Pride
THE HIDDEN TYRANNY OF PRIDE:
17 Signs You’re Serving Yourself, Not God
Unmasking the silent rebellion that disguises itself as virtue
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Humility is the soul’s gateway to God, yet its absence is so subtle that many devout Christians fall into the trap of pride while thinking they are being pious.
St. Josemaría Escrivá, a master of practical spirituality, offers 17 razor-sharp signs that expose where pride sneaks into our thoughts, words, and actions.
In this expanded reflection, we’ll organize these signs into five spiritual categories, expose their hidden dangers, and provide biblical insights and real-life examples so we can uproot pride and grow in true humility.
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🔸 CATEGORY I: PRIDE OF INTELLECT
“Leaning on your own understanding” – Proverbs 3:5
> Intellectual pride is the refusal to admit limitations in our knowledge or perspective. It often wears the mask of competence but is rooted in a heart that refuses to listen, learn, or yield.
🔹 Key Signs:
1. Thinking your way is always better.
3. Arguing even when wrong—or worse, when right, but rudely.
4. Giving unsolicited opinions without being asked.
5. Despising others' points of view.
Examples:
A catechist who always dominates Bible study, ignoring others’ insights.
A husband who refuses to ask for directions—or spiritual guidance.
A student who corrects classmates to show off, not to help.
📖 Scriptural Reflection:
> “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.” – Proverbs 3:7
“Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” – James 1:19
✅ Path to Healing:
Ask more questions than you answer.
Make it a habit to affirm someone’s idea before adding yours.
Offer your opinions only when they serve truth in charity.
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🔸 CATEGORY II: PRIDE OF WILL
“Not my will, but yours be done” – Luke 22:42
> Pride of will resists any form of correction or submission. It insists on control and reacts defensively when challenged.
🔹 Key Signs:
2. Always wanting your own way.
10. Making excuses when corrected.
11. Hiding faults to preserve reputation.
14. Refusing menial tasks.
🌈 Examples:
A volunteer who avoids washing dishes but insists on being the speaker.
A teen who won’t admit when wrong—even when caught red-handed.
A religious sister hiding her weaknesses from her superior out of fear of judgment.
📖 Scriptural Reflection:
> “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” – Matthew 23:12
“The one who is faithful in little is also faithful in much.” – Luke 16:10
✅ Path to Healing:
Begin your day by saying, “Jesus, not my will, but yours.”
Regularly ask a trusted friend or spiritual director: “What can I do better?”
Deliberately choose the lowest task in group settings.
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🔸 CATEGORY III: PRIDE OF IMAGE
“For they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.” – John 12:43
> Pride of image is the desire to be seen, liked, and admired, even under the guise of “humble” words or actions.
🔹 Key Signs:
8. Mentioning yourself as an example in conversation.
9. Speaking poorly of yourself so others will praise you.
12. Feeling pleased when others speak well of you.
13. Being hurt when others are more admired.
15. Seeking to be singled out.
16. Self-praise disguised as storytelling.
🌈 Examples:
“I was just trying to help—like I always do, even when no one notices.”
A parishioner who’s sad not because they weren’t thanked, but because someone else was.
A man who constantly references his sacrifices in front of others.
📖 Scriptural Reflection:
> “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth.” – Proverbs 27:2
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people to be seen by them.” – Matthew 6:1
✅ Path to Healing:
Fast from talking about yourself for one full day a week.
When you’re complimented, say inwardly: “All glory to You, Lord.”
Work behind the scenes where no one can applaud you.
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🔸 CATEGORY IV: PRIDE OF ENTITLEMENT AND INGRATITUDE
“What do you have that you did not receive?” – 1 Corinthians 4:7
> This form of pride forgets that all we are and all we have are gifts from God. It leads us to envy, bitterness, and shame over things that don’t matter eternally.
🔹 Key Signs:
6. Forgetting that your gifts are on loan from God.
7. Believing you are deserving of honor or esteem.
17. Being ashamed of lacking certain possessions.
🌈 Examples:
A young professional obsessed with luxury brands for approval.
A preacher who forgets that his eloquence is a grace, not a guarantee.
A widow who constantly compares her humble home to others'.
📖 Scriptural Reflection:
> “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.” – James 1:17
“The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” – Job 1:21
✅ Path to Healing:
List 10 things you have that you didn’t earn. Thank God for each.
Practice poverty of spirit by giving something away weekly.
Learn to boast only of your weakness (2 Cor 12:9).
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🔸 CATEGORY V: PRIDE IN THE SPIRITUAL LIFE
“Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” – 2 Corinthians 11:14
> Pride can infect even our spiritual practices. It can trick us into using religion to gain praise, power, or control.
🔹 Cross-cutting Signs:
Spiritual name-dropping (Sign #8).
Impression management before confessors or directors (Sign #11).
Prideful service in Church settings (Signs #14, #15).
Inward boasting about one’s humility (Sign #9).
🌈 Examples:
A lay minister who prays aloud only when others are watching.
A daily Mass-goer who judges those who attend only on Sundays.
A person who “casually” lets others know how much they tithe.
📖 Scriptural Reflection:
> “When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” – Matthew 6:3
“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” – 1 Peter 5:5
✅ Path to Healing:
Take up hidden spiritual works (fasting, silent prayer).
Confess even spiritual pride explicitly.
Beg God daily: “Lord, increase in me, that I may decrease.” (cf. John 3:30)
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⚡ FINAL WARNING AND INVITATION
> “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” – Proverbs 16:18
Pride is the original sin of Lucifer. It is not just a personal flaw—it’s a spiritual cancer that seeks to replace God with self. But humility is not weakness. It is power surrendered to God.
When we walk in true humility, we become invincible in grace, because we no longer seek to be seen—we live only to glorify the One who sees all.
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🌟 Summary Matrix of St. Josemaría’s 17 Signs
▪︎Symptom of Pride & Root Vice
1) Thinking your way is better
- Intellectual pride
2) Always wanting your way
- Willfulness
3) Arguing stubbornly
- Contention
4) Giving opinions without charity
- Control
5) Despising others’ views
- Elitism
6) Not knowing your gifts are on loan
- Ingratitude
7) Believing you deserve honor
- Entitlement
8 ) Using yourself as an example
- Vanity
9 ) Fishing for praise via self-deprecation
- Manipulation
10) Making excuses
- Defensiveness
11) Hiding faults from your director
- Fear of judgment
12 ) Enjoying being praised
- Self-love
13) Envy of others’ esteem
- Jealousy
14) Avoiding menial work
- False dignity
15 ) Wanting to be singled out
- Ambition
16) Dropping self-praise in speech
- Conceit
17) Shame over lacking possessions
- Materialism
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🌿 Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine. Strip me of my pride—especially where I least see it. Let me decrease, that You may increase. May I never boast except in the Cross. Amen. ✝️
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