If there is anything that can kill the anointing, that can grieve the Holy Spirit, it’s pride. Yep, it’s the one thing that takes God and puts Him in the back, and you in the front! It makes your head so big you gotta walk through doors sideways and you stay away from people with sharp nails in case they burst your bubble.

Here’s what the dictionary says about pride:

pride /praɪd/ noun

1. a high or inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.
2. the state or feeling of being proud.
3. a becoming or dignified sense of what is due to oneself or one’s position or character; self-respect; self-esteem.
4. pleasure or satisfaction taken in something done by or belonging to oneself or believed to reflect credit upon oneself

(Dictionary.com)

Here is what the Bible says about pride:

Proverbs 8:13
“To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.”

Proverbs 11:2
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

Proverbs 13:10
“Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”

Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Proverbs 29:23
“A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.”

Proverbs 16:5
“The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.”

Proverbs 18:12
“Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.”

It wasn’t me, it was Jesus…

Pride should not be confused with being confident. Being confident in one’s ability is healthy and makes for a solid base upon which to build. Pride is putting yourself first, puffing up your ego. People can spot it from a mile away and may begin to avoid you altogether because your attitude is less than desirable.

I didn’t do it, even though I did do it!
Another spin on pride is false humility. You might be asking how that’s possible, pride and humility, how can they be linked. Remember I said false humility - which also extends to being over-humble. Let me give you an example:

You go to the drummer after a Sunday service and say “Hey, that was great playing, you did really well!” and the drummer responds with a pious “It wasn’t me, it was Jesus…”

Now, as wonderful as it initially may sound as the super-holy drummer gives all credit to Jesus. It physically was the man who sat at the kit and hit the skins that made the sounds and put them together to make beats and rhythms. When he messed up and missed a note, played too loudly, played too softly or dropped a stick… did Jesus do that too? Are we not insulting Jesus when we deny the gift He gave us and say ‘It was all Him and not me…’?

Say Thank You
If someone pays you a compliment, don’t get all shy about it and don’t be all super-spiritual or holy with some false humility. Say “Thank you.” Don’t get a big head about it, learn to take a compliment and leave it at that, don’t let it put a root of egoism in your heart and now think you’re ready to to take on Vinnie Colaiuta or something! You’re not ready…

I have seen how pride can destroy people. It can destroy your drumming, your witness to others, your relationship with God. Don’t let pride get a foot in the door, especially as a Christian drummer. People are watching you ALL the time if they hear or know you are a Christian. Be a good witness to them, not a bad one. I know we’re all human. You can’t stop a bird from flying over your head but you can stop it from making a nest on your head!

Be full of confidence and not full of pride or false humility.