When I think of “pride”, there are several different pictures of and reactions to it that come up for me. So I looked up the definition – interesting exercise.
First, the online Webster-type definition:
- Self respect – A sense of one’s own proper dignity or value (ok, no bad vibes immediately for me in this one) Hint: read on.
- Pleasure or satisfaction taken in an achievement, possession or association (ok, this one could go either way – some good, some bad – nothing should be more important than God)
- Arrogant or disdainful conduct or treatment; haughtiness (whoa, this seems very negative)
A bit wishy-washy as to whether pride is a good thing or a bad thing, so I find myself able to make arguments going either way. Does it depend on circumstances? Or having the right perspective on the word and what it describes? Is the “world” wisdom creeping in?
I then consult the “biblical definition of pride”. It brings a piercing insight from one source – “a deeply rooted heart attitude that exalts self above God and others, leading to spiritual blindness and separation from God.” Ouch! What a difference – what’s the deal?
One author points out the Bible consistently warns that pride is not just a minor flaw, but a core sin that underlies many other transgressions and stands in direct opposition to the humility God desires.
I need to take a look at the Scripture – isn’t that my real “source” directing me to Truth?
And personally, in my conciliation work, I have seen a prideful attitude (or I find I need to dig down a bit to see it) coming from a place of fear – of being inadequate or failing or exposed as in a negative way.
Conversely, humility comes from a place of security in knowing who I am in Christ and what He has done for me. Who He is, not who I am — other than knowing my relationship with Him as my Savior and One whose hand I am grasping to hold onto.
So how can I get a good handle on the truth about pride – and what it is? If I don’t, how do I know if it is hiding underneath my behaviors which stem from my heart?
Henry Blackaby kindly handed me a list to explore – and he set the stage this way:
Pride is the great enemy of the Christian. It motivates you to do things that you know are not Christlike, and it hinders you from doing what brings glory to God.
First – Pride influenced Adam and Eve to try to become like God. Genesis 3:4-5 “You will not surely die, the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” I note that it was Satan speaking and I wonder if I always recognize his voice.
Next – Pride motivated Cain to murder his brother. Genesis 4:4b-5 The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.” And you know the rest. The Lord warned Cain about his anger and not doing what is right and that sin was crouching at his door – and that Cain must master it. He clearly did not.
Next – Pride provoked Joseph’s brothers to sell him into slavery. Genesis 37:8 His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” Little did they know what God had planned – I think about how clueless I can be at times due to current situations (and no vision of the future or God’s supremacy).
Next – Pride caused King Saul to resent David so deeply that he even tried to murder him. I Samuel 18:8 Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” Envy brings to my mind the Commandment on coveting. How many times has envy and covetousness slipped in the back door of my mind and into my heart?
Next – Pride led King Hezekiah to foolishly reveal his nation’s wealth to his enemies. Isaiah 39:2 Hezekiah received the envoys gladly and showed them what was in his storehouses—the silver, the gold, the spices…. There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them. This was a little more obscure to me, but the suggestion is that instead of trusting God’s deliverance, Hezekiah’s eagerness to impress them signaled a shift toward courting human alliances, contrary to Isaiah’s earlier warnings. Oh darn, that brings up a far-too-often thinking I can slip into – my way, world’s way, instead of dependence on God.
Next – Pride was at the root of the Pharisees’ anger toward Jesus. And Pride was the reason the disciples argued over rank in the kingdom. Luke 9:46 – An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. So what exactly is the pride that God hates? Because the religious leaders and the disciples as followers of Christ fell victim here.
I appreciate how someone succinctly answered this. Sinful pride is refusing to recognize God’s sovereign role in everything. “Good pride” is recognizing that apart from God, you can do nothing (John 15:5) and, therefore, giving God the glory for the things you accomplish.
If we succumb to pride’s influence, says Blackaby, there will be consequences. Maybe we know we have offended someone, but pride holds us back from asking forgiveness. Maybe we realize we need to reconcile a broken relationship, but pride will lead to denying that need. Pride may convince us we deserve better treatment. Pride will impede our serving others. Instead, pride will have us striving for places of prominence. It may make us ignore honest counselors or lead us to isolate ourselves so we are not accountable to others.
Humility, on the other hand, is pleasing to God and places your life in a position where God will honor you.
So the question you and I must answer is “Has pride crept into some area of my life?”
Think of a slippery slope – if we end up taking credit for what we’ve done instead of thanking God for helping us, we may be sliding down into the sinful consequences. Pride is the deadliest of all sins because it leads to all other sins – it is delusional, spiteful, and bitter. Look deep inside and check to see if you are thinking “I don’t want God to be God. I want to be God!”
Oh yes, I can be in that very spot without even realizing I have slid down that slope to that crazy position. At that point, I need to ask God to give me victory over pride before it robs me of God’s will for me. My we all be alert to that pride crouching at our door.
