PrIde is subtle. It sneaks in to assert its influence on our flesh. PrIde blocks the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16 says that our flesh opposes the Holy Spirit.

The Amplified aptly describes it. It says, “But I say, walk and live (habitually) in the (Holy) Spirit (responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit); then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).”

I would like you to picture two magnets repelling each other. You cannot bring them together. That is how our flesh and the Holy Spirit are–opposing one another.

Paul asked the Galatians several questions. Galatians 3:1 says, “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?”

Verse 3 says, “Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?”

Our flesh is our old nature. Romans 6:6 says, “Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sIn might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sIn.”

Notice that the ‘I’ is in the middle of sIn. PrIde is sIn. In other words, self is the center of attention. IF we are not open and sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, then prIde will drag us around in the fleshly dumps to tarnish our reflection of Jesus.