How does pride hinder our relationship with God?

Pride often builds barriers between us and God, causing us to resist acknowledging our need for His grace. The sermon illustrates that pride leads us to self-reliance and a refusal to submit to God's authority. It creates an illusion that we can achieve righteousness on our own, which is contrary to the gospel. Humility, on the other hand, brings us to acknowledge our sinful state and dependence on Christ's righteousness. As James 4:6 states, 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble,' reminding us that only by humble submission can we receive His mercy and grace.