REQUIREMENTS FOR APPROACHING THE FATHER: TRUTH & SINCERITY OF the HEART (Subtitle: PRIDE  Hebrews 10:22, Psalm 145:18 
Pride: 
The surest way that prevents us from drawing near to God, whether it is through our prayer life, personal walk with Christ.  
Pride prevents us from having that sincere and true relationship with our Father and Savior.  
Everyone is guilty of pride.
Genesis 3:1-7 First instance that pride is mentioned in the Bible. 
James 1:14-15 Out of our own evil desires, we sin.
Pride is at the center of every destruction of man, i.e. every separation, disagreement, fight. 
Proverbs 16:18 
Pride is a dangerous tool that the devil uses.  As Christians, we shouldn’t want any part in helping the enemy.   
What is Pride?
Pride: two words – consumed with oneself.
Pride is so dangerous – makes you OK accepting all the other sins. 
Pride makes you justify other sins.  
Pride: self-centered – everything revolves around you, instead of God.
Pride fails to recognize that everything we have comes from God. He is our source.
Prov 8:13 – God hates pride.
Pride prevents us from seeking Him.  Prayerlessness. 
2 Chronicles 25:1-28 
Amaziah not wholeheartedly.
At the foundation of pride is when we don’t give our all,  our whole heart to God.
Mattew 22:37
Mark 12:30 
2 Chronicles 25:6 – pride creeps its head.     
300,000 men only
Similar to Gideon…300 men
2 Chronicles 25:9 – Pride is steadily creeping up its head slowly by surely.  
There’s much more in God…
2 Chronicles 25:14 – 16 
Now Pride is fully at work…everything going down the hill.
1 Samuel 15:2-3 similar to King Saul 
Pattern with pride – boasts and relies on its own strength.
When it comes to truth and sincerity, pride blinds us from correction. 
Pride makes us shift the blame to others, instead of accepting corrections.  
Pride is…
Self-righteousness, Arrogance, Self-centeredness, Boasting, relying on your own strength, Unwillingness to Apologize, Judgmental Attitude, Reluctance to serve, Refusing advice, Seeking recognition, Not being grateful, Wanting to be always right, Always want credit for something, Pride wants everything to run through them, Pride is elevating your opinion over God’s word, Pride is Envious…
Daniel 4:29-30
Meet King Nebuchadnezzar.. 
Similar to King Amaziah, King Nebuchadnezzar – all focus is on I, I, I, I…
Proverbs 27:2 
There’s restoration only if you believe
FIVE (5) POINTS IN OVERCOMING PRIDE:
When it comes to pride, the first step in overcoming pride is to first recognize that you have pride in your life.  
Confess your pride in prayer to God – ask God to show you the areas of your life that you’ve been prideful so you can improve it by His leading. 
Examine and surrender your life daily. 
You have to be Broken and Acknowledge your dependence on God and submit to Him.  
Practice humility.  Humble yourself.  Luke 14:11 &1 Peter 5:6 tells us to humble yourself and God will lift you up! 
Luke 9:23-24