Chasing Light: Part 1 - "Pride" with Pierre du Plessis - LifeChurch.tv

Exposing and Defeating Pride

Scripture References

Primary text

• James 4:6
• Jeremiah 9:23
• Philippians 2

Other references

• Matthew 7:3
• Hebrews 12:2
• Micah 6:8

Overview

Pride is the hidden force that wrecks marriages, churches, governments, and souls. Pastor Pierre traced every destructive attitude back to pride, lust, and greed, then zeroed in on pride as “the chief demon.” Using vivid stories, Scripture, and practical counsel, he showed how pride blinds, reshapes itself in any setting, and keeps the light of Christ from entering our hearts. The way forward is the humility of Jesus—emptying ourselves, serving others, and giving God all the credit.

Context

Pierre opened with a Christmas-night story about a wanderer in an ancient abbey. A brisk nun explained that three forces—pride, lust, greed—block the soul’s windows from light. Her words framed the entire message: until those boards are removed, people live restless, prickly, and exhausted in inner darkness.

Main Points

Pride: the chief demon

• Pride was found in Lucifer before any other sin; it seeks to exalt the creature over the Creator.

• Illustration: Mystique from X-Men, a shape-shifter who can blend anywhere—just like pride can wait behind a pulpit or worship mic, ready to seize a heart.
• Illustration: The Kraken—a giant octopus said to drag whole ships under—mirrors how pride rarely sinks just one person; it pulls families, small groups, and generations down with it.

Three openings pride uses (Jeremiah 9:23)

• What we know – boasting in wisdom or education.
• What we do – elevating talents, roles, and achievements as if we authored them.
• What we have – trusting possessions and wealth for worth and security.
  When we over-credit ourselves in any of these, “the Kraken has got us.”

How pride shows itself

• Critical spirit: spotting specks in others while ignoring our own logs (Matthew 7:3-5).
• Self-deception: always right, blind to personal faults, quick to label others “stupid” or “jerks.”
• Comparison: breaking others to build ourselves or vice versa—impossible “apples to apples” because no two people are identical.

Chasing the light—looking at Jesus (Hebrews 12:2; Philippians 2)

“Keep your eye on Jesus.”

• Jesus, equal with God, emptied Himself and took the form of a servant—our model for humility.
• Default human setting is “me first”; discipleship requires repeatedly emptying ourselves so light can flood in.

Practicing everyday humility (Micah 6:8)

• Seek ways to serve rather than be served—open the car door, run the errand, carry the load.
• In conversation, listen first; your story isn’t always the headline.
• In conflict, choose being humble over being right.
• Spouses: husbands honor wives publicly; wives build husbands up, not tear them down.
• Celebrate every gift, opportunity, and win by giving God credit immediately and aloud.

Key Truths

• Pride blinds us to our own darkness but is obvious in others.
• Every destructive behavior can be traced back to pride, lust, or greed, with pride leading the pack.
• God “aggressively sets Himself against” the proud yet pours grace on the humble (James 4:6).
• Jesus’ self-emptying is the pattern that opens our souls to light.
• Humility is not a feeling but a daily practice of serving, listening, and crediting God.

Response

• Examine your heart for critical, comparative, or self-deceptive attitudes.
• Empty yourself daily: ask “How can I serve rather than be served right now?”
• Celebrate every talent or success by immediately thanking God out loud.
• Honor the people closest to you with practical acts of service and public affirmation.
• Memorize James 4:6 and pray it whenever pride rises.

Closing

Pride makes us “lousy gods,” yet humility invites God’s light to penetrate every corner of our lives. The invitation is to fight for that light—moment by moment—by emptying ourselves like Jesus and choosing the low place.

“Shift up, make room for the only One who is worthy.”

Prayer

Father, search our hearts and expose the hidden pride that darkens our souls.
Give us grace to empty ourselves, follow Jesus’ example, and let Your light flood in.
Teach us to serve, listen, and honor others so that our lives stay authentically pure before You. Amen.