Q: I am struggling with the sin of pride. I was proud and felt superior to someone whom I got to know who had some temptations. Now I am experiencing the same temptations as him. I have understood the cause and feel repentant, but the pride keeps creeping in and I still am being tormented by the temptations. What can I do to overcome this situation and be closer to God? — Josina

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC:

If you struggle with pride, you aren’t alone. We all struggle with it.

Pride is the root of all sin. Fighting it will be a lifelong task.

Some short advice is this:

Learn to contemplate Jesus on the cross and ask yourself what makes you feel superior to anyone, since it was your sins that helped put Our Lord on that cross.

Meditate on the Gospel accounts of the passion and death of Jesus and ask if God is demanding the same kind of sacrifice from you.

Then, learn to be humble. Admit your mistakes quickly. Never think you are better than others. Whatever good we have, is a gift of God; it’s not something we give ourselves.

And learn to be the first to volunteer to help people. Only through constant service and putting others first will we make progress in fighting pride.

For related reading, see:

St. Elizabeth of the Trinity on Combating Pride

Knowing and Fighting the Queen of Sin

I hope that some of this helps. Count on my prayers.