What Would Jesus Undo Week 4 Discussion Questions

Is It About My Glory or God’s Glory?

Scripture References

• Luke 18
• James 5:16

Overview

Tim de Ramos guided the group to confront spiritual pride through Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee relied on self-righteousness; the tax collector relied on mercy. Spiritual pride often hides in comparison, fault-finding, self-sufficiency, attention-seeking, and even false humility. The single practice he urged was to pause and ask in every moment, “Is this about my glory or God’s?”—emptying ourselves so Christ’s grace can fill the space.

Main Points

The Parable’s Contrast: Performance vs. Mercy

• In Luke 18, the Pharisee recited his résumé before God; the tax collector beat his chest and begged for mercy.
• Jesus commended humility, not spotless performance.
• Goal: live like the tax collector—empty of self, open to grace.

Everyday Faces of Spiritual Pride

• Pride starts as an inner emotion and spills into outward habits.
  • Comparison—elevating ourselves by pushing others down, especially with our children’s successes.
  • “I Don’t Need God”—believing personal goodness is enough.
  • Fault-finding—spotting others’ flaws to avoid facing our own.
    • Story: Tim asked his wife Katie to edit a paper, ignored her corrections out of pride, and received a poor grade—then had to say, “I’m sorry, you were right, I was wrong.”
  • Attention-seeking—acting for applause, not assignment.
  • Reverse pride—deflecting every compliment or shrinking back from worship and witness; the focus is still “I.”

Naming Your Own Pride Point

• Pride says, “My glory”; humility says, “God’s glory.”
• Identify one arena—possessions, achievements, image, secret self-sufficiency—where pride is active.
• Honesty is strength; hidden pride stays unhealed.

The Diagnostic Question

“Is it about my glory or is it about God’s glory?”

• Use it whenever insecurity surfaces or a big decision approaches.
• Measure motives: self-exaltation or Christ-exaltation?
• Replace “Am I enough?” with “Christ is sufficient.”

Confession Leads to Healing

• James 5:16 links confession with healing.
• Share the identified pride area with the group and pray for each other; God forgives, community heals.

Key Truths

• Pride can look loud (boasting) or quiet (refusing compliments), but both center on self.
• Inner pride inevitably shapes outward behavior.
• Grace fills what humility empties.
• Confession in trusted relationships is a pathway to healing.
• Every decision can be tested by whose glory it seeks.

Response

• Pinpoint one current situation where pride shows itself.
• Ask the diagnostic question before speaking, spending, posting, or deciding.
• Confess that pride area to a trusted friend and invite prayer.
• Accept compliments with a simple “thank you,” internally redirecting the honor to God.
• Intentionally practice humility this week—serve unnoticed, listen first, and celebrate others.

Closing

Spiritual pride crowds out grace; humble honesty makes room for it. As you step into the week, keep one line on your lips and in your heart:

“Is it about my glory or is it about God’s glory?”

Empty what centers on you, and watch Christ be glorified through a surrendered life.