Practical Steps to Overcome Pride with Humility | Ep. 100
Season 5, Part 9 Show Notes of The Raised & Redeemed Podcast (Steps 22-25:Vainglory, Pride, Meekness & Humility)
Is your sense of self-worth based on what others think of you? Do you find yourself in constant conflict, feeling jaded at others for how they wronged you? Or perhaps you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders to have it all together all the time?
If so, you may be struggling with vainglory and pride—the very passions that tear our hearts away from God's and leave us feeling alone in a world that doesn't truly know or understand us.
Today we're confronting the final passions on the Ladder of Divine Ascent and the most deadly to our spiritual life: vainglory and pride. But here's the beautiful part—we'll also discover their heavenly counterparts: meekness, simplicity, and humility.
This part of the spiritual climb is where we get very introspective, not just confronting our actions, but our motivations behind them.
Step 22: Vainglory - The Craving for Validation
Vainglory is all about the craving to be noticed and praised. On the outside, people struggling with vainglory may appear to have it all together, but deep down, they are often incredibly insecure, seeking validation and worthiness in external things and the fleeting opinions of others.
As St. John Climacus says, "Vainglory induces pride in the favored and resentment in those who are slighted."
Two Types of Vainglorious People
The Validated Vainglorious Person appears supremely confident. They may get the likes, compliments, and recognition. But scratch beneath the surface, and you'll find their confidence is paper-thin. The moment validation stops, their sense of worth crumbles.
The Invalidated Vainglorious Person struggles with visible insecurity. They're constantly comparing themselves to others, never feeling good enough, and crippled under feelings of unworthiness.
Though they express themselves differently, both are fighting the same battle: they've rooted their identity in something other than who God says they are.
A Word for the Insecure
If you're struggling with feelings of inadequacy, hear this truth: God doesn't call the qualified—He qualifies the called.
Look at Scripture:
Moses had a speech impediment, yet God chose him to speak to Pharaoh
David was the youngest, smallest brother, yet God chose him to be king
Peter denied Jesus three times, yet Jesus chose him to lead the early church
Paul persecuted Christians, yet God chose him to write most of the New Testament
Your insecurities don't disqualify you from God's purposes—they position you to rely on His strength instead of your own.
A Word for the Validated
If you're constantly receiving praise and recognition, remember: every gift, every talent, every achievement flows from God's grace.
"What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as though you did not receive it?" (1 Corinthians 4:7)
"Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." (2 Corinthians 10:17)
How Vainglory Manifests
For those outside the faith:
Obsessing over physical appearance or social status
Measuring worth by followers, likes, or material possessions
Needing to be the most liked person in the room
For believers (more subtle):
Curating a spiritual persona online for Christian approval
Doing acts of charity and needing everyone to know about it
Needing others to perceive us as holy, sometimes by attaining higher positions in the church
Fr. Vassilios notes that religious vainglory is far worse because it masquerades as something virtuous.
The Antidote: Radical Honesty
Fr. Vassilios says: "It's better to be an honest sinner than a fake saint. If we want to become saints, we must offer our true selves, with all our sins and imperfections, to God."
Many of us hide our struggles because of vainglory, masked behind the excuse of "not wanting to scandalize others." But Fr. Vassilios asks: "Have we forgotten that we too are sinners? The only sins that should scandalize us are our own."
When we share our struggles honestly, we don't scandalize people—we humanize ourselves. We remind others that we're all carrying crosses they may never imagine.
Remember Jesus' words: "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:31-32)Step 19: When Sleep Becomes Escape
Step 23: Pride - The Deadliest Passion
Pride is the final passion on the ladder and the deadliest in our spiritual life. The Church Fathers see vainglory and pride as two different stages of the same passion. If vainglory is the seed, pride is the full-grown tree.
The Difference Between Vainglory and Pride
German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer explains: "Pride works from within; it is the direct appreciation of oneself. Vanity is the desire to arrive at this appreciation indirectly, from without."
Since pride is rooted from within, it prevents us from owning our faults and turning from them. We become blinded in the lie of self-delusion.
St. Maximos the Confessor said: "The passion of pride comes from two kinds of ignorance: ignorance of both divine help and of human weakness."
The Consequences of Pride
Pride is such a deep love and worship of self that it floods out any chance for true love of God and others. It's what caused Lucifer to rebel against God and fall from heaven, and it's what keeps us from admitting our weaknesses and returning to Him.
"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18)
When God isn't above us, we become susceptible to every other passion: hate, slander, rebellion, greed, lust, and arrogance.
Pride in Believers
Pride doesn't just affect the unreligious—it impacts believers too, often more dangerously because it's harder to detect:
Glorifying ourselves in God's name as the Pharisees did
Saying "God told me this" when we really mean "This is what I think"
Judging other believers' spiritual maturity
Becoming proud of our own virtues
Expecting God to answer prayers the way we want Him to
How We Should Pray
When Jesus was asked how to pray, He answered in Matthew 6:9-13 with the Lord's Prayer. Notice we ask for mercy, forgiveness, guidance, deliverance, and salvation—not pridefully treating God like a genie who should fulfill all our wishes.
The Question of Salvation
Fr. Vassilios addresses the dangerous form of pride where believers assume they are, without question, "saved." While Romans 10:9 tells us about salvation through confession and belief, we must read this alongside Christ's sobering words:
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)
Faith isn't merely confessional—it's relational. And it must remain humble.
As C.S. Lewis says: "Unless you know God as immeasurably superior to yourself, and therefore, know yourself as nothing in comparison — you do not know God at all."
Self-Reflection Question: Where is pride hiding in my heart? Where do I need to humble myself before the Lord?
Step 24: Meekness and Simplicity - Power Under Control
Now we begin our ascent into the higher virtues, starting with meekness. Let's be clear: meekness is not weakness. It's power under control.
St. John describes it beautifully: "Meekness is a mind consistent amid honor or dishonor. Meekness prays quietly and sincerely for a neighbor however troublesome he may be."
Understanding Simplicity
The highest form of meekness is simplicity—having one face, one heart, one motive. This is integrity.
This isn't about being simple in the sense of ignorant. Christ told us to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16). It's about purity of heart—a single-minded pursuit of God.
St. John says the meek person is "a rock in the midst of the sea"—unshaken by praise or blame. While others are tossed about by every opinion and criticism, the meek person remains steady, anchored in God's love.
Practical Ways to Practice Meekness
Listen more than speak - In your next conversation, resist the urge to immediately respond. Really hear what the other person is saying.
Refuse to feed your ego - When someone criticizes you, pause and ask: "Is there truth here I can learn from?"
Live with openness and transparency - Share a struggle you're facing with someone you trust.
Pray for your enemies - Spend five minutes genuinely praying for someone who's hurt you.
Have a single-minded focus on union with God - More than being right, more than being praised, want God above all else.
Remember: "The Lord finds rest in the hearts of the meek, while the turbulent spirit is the home of the devil."
Step 25: Humility - The Virtue That Makes All Others Possible
We reach the summit of this section with humility—the virtue that makes all others possible.
Saint John explains humility as "a constant forgetfulness of our achievements, the admission that in all the world we are the least important and the greatest sinner, and the awareness that we are, in light of who God is, deeply loved, but entirely dependent."
Humility vs. Low Self-Esteem
Some might think this sounds like unhealthy low self-esteem, but here's the difference:
Low self-esteem is self-focused. Humility is God-focused.
A Beautiful Reminder
Fr. Vassilios gives us this beautiful reminder: "The church was once a prostitute, a lowly, contemptible, and unclean woman. But Christ nonetheless loved us so that He took her to be His bride and made her not only a decent woman, but a queen."
Four Practices to Grow in Humility
Remember your past sins - Not to condemn yourself, but to marvel at God's forgiveness
Meditate on Christ's passion - He died so you could have union with God
Reflect on your daily shortcomings - All the ways you fall short of holiness (not to beat yourself up, but to stay dependent on grace)
Consider your ongoing weaknesses - Remember why you need God most of all
Fr. Vassilios teaches that gratitude is a step toward humility, while all the passions spring from deep-seated ingratitude and a blinding love of self. Humility is living in a joyful and peaceful state of thankfulness.
Personal Application: Learning to Respond Rather Than React
Staying calm when wronged is one of the biggest struggles many of us face. Here's a practical approach:
Before: Someone would say something hurtful, and the immediate response was to defend the ego.
Now: When wronged, practice three things:
Don't react immediately - Remove yourself from the situation instead of getting hot-headed
Hold your tongue - Practice silence instead of saying things you'd later regret
Pray for them - Not condescendingly, but genuinely praying for their wellbeing
This practice gives peace in your heart regardless of what's happening in theirs.
There's something powerful that happens when you pray for someone who's hurt you. At first, it feels impossible—even hypocritical. But as you persist, something in your heart shifts. You start seeing them as God sees them: wounded, struggling, in need of grace. Just like you.
Practical Steps for This Week
Develop Your Inner Life
Spend time each morning remembering who God says you are: chosen, loved, created for a purpose, and entirely dependent on Him
When you catch yourself seeking validation, pause and pray: "Lord, You are enough"
Practice Non-Reactive Listening
In your next conversations, focus entirely on understanding rather than responding
If someone criticizes you, take a breath and ask: "Can you help me understand what you mean?"
Practice Gratitude
Write down three gifts or mercies God gave you each day
Include the difficult things that taught you something
Study Humble Saints
Read about St. Moses the Black, St. Mary of Egypt, or St. Paul's transformation
Ask yourself: "What can I learn from their journey?"
Pray the Prayer of Humility by St. Ephraim
"O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of despondency, sloth, lust of power, and idle talk. But give to me, Your servant, the spirit of sober-mindedness, humility, patience, and love. Yes, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brother, since You are blessed to the ages. Amen."
Final Thoughts
The Church Father say: "The nearer a man draws to God, the more he sees himself a sinner."
This isn't self-loathing—it's clear vision. The closer we get to perfect Light, the more we see our own shadows. But this awareness doesn't discourage us—it drives us deeper into repentance and humility.
So many spiritual battles are loud and dramatic, but this one is quiet, hidden, internal. Vainglory and pride shout for attention, but meekness and humility whisper—yet their whisper has the power to shake the world.
Think about it: Jesus, the King of the universe, rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. He washed His disciples' feet. He died between two thieves. The most powerful person who ever lived chose the way of humility.
As you climb this section of the Ladder, don't be discouraged by how far you feel from true humility. The very fact that you're aware of your pride is a gift of grace. The very fact that you desire to be humble means God is already working in you.
Remember: "Humility is the antidote to all the passions. If pride turned some of the angels into demons, then humility can doubtless make angels out of demons." - St. John Climacus
Resources Referenced
Thirty Steps to Heaven by Fr. Vassilios Papavassiliou
The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus
Free downloadable guide for the whole “Passions” series
Coming Up Next
Next Week: We'll take our final steps up the ladder toward union with God.
This episode is part of the Raised & Redeemed podcast series walking through spiritual warfare and growth. If you're just joining us, start from the beginning of this series for the full context of this spiritual journey.
