What Makes Pride A Sin
Everything we have, we have received from God. It is not wrong to feel good about something you have accomplished as long as you recognize, and admit, that you could not have done so without Him.
- Heather RigglemanCrosswalk.com Contributing Writer
- 20209 Oct
Proverbs 16:18 says, Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. There are many other biblical warnings about the sin of pride.
But why is pride so strongly warned against? Why is pride a sin? Is it always a sin to feel proud of something you have accomplished?
It is very important to understand what precisely is the pride that God hates .
Several years ago, when my first book was published, I had the opportunity to meet Beth Moore and have her sign it. I stood in line just beaming as I held my precious book.
It smelled of freshly printed pages and the cover was a beautiful glossy green. I was so immensely proud of fulfilling my calling. I was even more proud that I could call myself an author.
When it was my turn to meet Beth, I showed her my book and we chatted for a bit. Then, she turned to her assistant and asked her to hold the line because apparently, I was in serious need of an eye-opening, come-to-Jesus-moment.
Because if I wasnt careful, it would be my downfall. She even shared personal examples in her own life. I walked away that day filled with conviction and humility because she cared enough to keep my pride in check.
Impossible Standards Of Perfection
Impossible Standards of Perfection. If you struggle with excessive pride, you are probably trying to be perfect. You may feel that others will see all your flaws and judge your mistakes. So, you try to do everything flawlessly, but it never truly fills that hole and deep rooted insecurity in your heart.
When that hole remains unhealed, it manifests into judging other people for their flaws, so you can feel better. Maybe, you try to avoid people seeing your flaws, so you put the focus on someone elses flaws? You may feel better when you point out that others are less perfect than you. You may feel that you are on top of the world and they are beneath you, which allows you to feel like you did something right. However, it hurts you that people dont want to be around you because they feel small and judged. You shouldnt have to be perfect to be successful. And you dont have to be perfect to be loved and supported.
Any situation that requires you to be perfect at all times is dysfunctional.
Pride has also caused chaos in the church since the beginning of time. Some Baptists think theyre better because theyre more biblically sound than charismatics. While Charismatics often feel they are more in touch with the heart and power of God than Baptists. Ugh. Cant we see that both are needed? Mostly all denominations bring an important characteristic of God. Cant we work together in balance and resist Satans pride trap?
What Are The Four Kinds Of Selfishness
The 6 Worst Kinds Of Selfish People
Recommended Reading: Where In The Bible Does It Talk About Blood Transfusions
What Is Pride According To The Bible
The Living Word of God describes pride as the thing that precedes destruction, just as a haughty spirit goes before fall .
However, note that self-directed pride that stems from conceit and outward pride pointed at the efforts or accomplishments of others are two completely different things from the Lords perspective.
We already know that self-centered pride is cast in a very negative light in the Bible, especially in the book Proverbs due to one obvious reason God hates it.
But we have to consider examples of outward pride such as 2 Corinthians 7:4 ESV, where Apostle Paul writes I have great pride in you in regards to being encouraged by good news from the church in Corinth.
Notice that Pauls pride or reason to be boastful in this case is not himself but someone else, in this case the Corinthian Christians.
This Bible verse indicates that God specifically hates sinful pride thats self-righteous in nature and all about exalting yourself above others.
Scripture doesnt condemn being proud of someone elses accomplishments, we can also be proud to be part of Gods Kingdom and we can even take pride in the good works of the Lord.
Remember what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 10:17 ESV:
Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.
The One Who created everything is our reason to boast because apart from Jesus we can do nothing .
However, the line is drawn when pride becomes self-oriented i.e. all about me and only me.
Contradictions In The Bible
There are lots of seeming contradictions in the Bible. Does that make it unreliable?
This video from our friends at the Bible Project might help explain some confusing things in the Bible.
Maybe not when you consider where it came from. The Bible is a collection of writings from different authors, times, places, and cultures. Even different languages. Sometimes words change meanings over the centuries. Sometimes the same characters have several different names.
It also helps to consider the different audiences for these works. The history books of Kings and Chronicles cover some of the same material but for different nations. Matthew writes about Jesus for Jews, and Luke writes the same material for Greeks.
There may also be repetitions, rounding off, or different perspectives that explain some seeming contradictions. Its reasonable to think that Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount multiple times , and so the version in Luke could be just as accurate as the one in Matthew 57.
Because of these literary, cultural, and sociological influences, it helps to proceed with caution when applying modern journalistic standards to these ancient writings. Biblical authors sometimes use different historical methods that wouldnt pass muster todaybut were accepted practice for the day.
Why not Look Inside for yourself?
Also Check: What Does The Bible Say About Refugees
Healing Pride By Praying For Humility: A Devotion
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up .
Humility is the antidote to pride. James admonishes, Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says . We walk a humble path when we follow Christ. His life is our example. He was confident in Gods purpose for His life. The Word made flesh, Jesus chose humility.
How can we take our prideful thoughts captive and steer them into humble obedience? Paul gives us a major tool in Philippians 4:8: Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. Faith takes focus. Keeping our hearts locked in focus on Christ is paramount to winning the war on pride.
All Of Our Gifts Are God
What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? 1 Corinthians 4:7 ESV
Think about it, have you attained any of your gifts, mercies and blessings by yourself?
Let me help you no, because only our Creator is capable of blessing us both physically and spiritually.
We have absolutely no reason to be boastful, no matter how physically beautiful or spiritually mature we might be.
Don’t Miss: Does The Bible Say You Should Not Be Cremated
Why Is Pride Such An Important Issue In The Bible
Pride is disobedience to Gods most important command to love Him above all else, and love our neighbors as ourselves. Our faithful Father, as He sanctifies our hearts, disciplines us as any good Father would. Isaiah 13:11 says, I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. We dont often identify these tendencies in ourselves, but we are very good at detecting them in the lives of others. Beware, for when we can see it in someone else its often reflecting a piece of our own pride.
Isaiah 2:18, after three different warnings in the same chapter about prideful humanity being humbled in judgement on the day of the LORD, says and all the idols will totally disappear. This is the true danger in pride. It seeks to set idols, anything we loft in importance over God, on the throne of our hearts. Tangible things, worldly accomplishments, an unhealthy dependance on and/or admiration of another person/people will all be stripped away and we will stand humbled before God who will undoubtably remain. He is all we will ever need.
Prides seeks to convince us otherwise, sending us on a wild and never-ending goose chase that steals the peace that Christ died to wash our lives clean in.
Verses On Pride In Possessions
1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the worldthe desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessionsis not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Psalm 10:3-4 For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord. In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him all his thoughts are, There is no God.
Proverbs 16:19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.
1 Timothy 6:17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
Also Check: What Does Bible Say About Cremation Vs Burial
We Are Likened To Tools In Gods Hands
Shall the axe boast over him who hews with it, or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it? As if a rod should wield him who lifts it, or as if a staff should lift him who is not wood! Isaiah 10:15 ESV
Were like mere axes, saws and staffs in the hands of the Lord.
We dont have any right to be boastful and prideful by trying to take credit for anything.
Does your axe have any reason to be prideful just because youre using it to cut down wood?
Why Are There So Many Bad Feelings About The Bible
Good question. And while some have issues with what the Bible actually says, others have problems with the people who quote it.
Before we begin, please watch the video for a long-overdue apology.
Okay. So there are a lot of people out there who believe the Bible is judgmental, inconsistent, ignorant, and old-fashioned. Their issue is with the Bible itself. Some of those people have read the Bible. Some havent. And some dont even want to, since some obnoxious Bible-beater has turned them off. Their issue is with Bible people.
Lets deal with the Bible issue first.
Can the Bible judge us at times? Yes. And thats not always fun. Sort of like a personal trainer pushing you to be your best self. But along with the judgment, theres a stronger message of love. The two actually go together. Is it old-fashioned? Well, its certainly old. But despite the fact that it was written by 40 or more people thousands of years ago, we still find great wisdom and fresh ideas in the Bible. But dont take our word for it. Look inside the Bible and see for yourself.
Now, to the Bible people issue.
We think theres a big difference between wielding the Bible as a sledgehammer and letting it lead us into an authentic interaction with God. Were aiming for the latter.
Whether your feelings about the Bible have been negative, positive, or apathetic, we invite you to get the whole picture by Looking Inside.
Recommended Reading: What Does The Bible Say About Mental Abuse
Bible Verses On Pride And Humility
Scripture literally contains dozens and dozens of verses that specifically focus on pride and humility.
You cant claim to have humility if you operate from a self-centered prideful position so make sure to dive deep into these Bible verses and ask the Lord to give you wisdom to understand His Living Word:
1 Peter 5:5 ESV: Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Proverbs 11:2 ESV: When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.
Proverbs 18:12 ESV: Before destruction a mans heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
Romans 12:16 ESV: Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
Philippians 2:5-8 ESV: Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV: if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
An Advent Book: The Book Of Luke
This advent devotional by Susie is different than others. Most Christmas time devotionals are short and focus on the Scriptures one reads at Christmas. But this devotional contains the entire book of Luke from the genealogy of Jesus, His birth to His death and resurrection.
Susies writing is easy to read and it makes me feel like I am sitting in the room listening to every word over a cup of coffee or tea.
Even though I received an Advanced Reader Copy of the book from the publisher, I am looking forward to soaking in every single word during this years advent season. Take the stress out of the Christmas season by making room for Jesus this Christmas. You wont be sorry that you did! I liked this book so well that I bought extra copies for friends. I hope you will do so as well.
This book is found on or at other book retailer outlets.
You May Like: What Does Bible Say About Cremation Vs Burial
Does The Bible Talk About Homosexuality
This is one of the most controversial and personal topics people are exploring right now.
And we know many people have used the Bible to demonize and exclude others. To those whove felt excluded, we invite you to watch this apology.
Of the more than 31,000 verses in the Bible, fewer than 10 specifically reference homosexuality. We invite you to check them out in the links below. But instead of just reading individual verses and forming your ideas in isolation, we also suggest getting a bigger picture.
As you do this, youre likely to find a wider sexual ethic running through the Bible: that God is a fan of sex and all that it brings. Because of this, we find protections and prescriptions for sexual expression in the Bible. In fact, the New Testament offers several lists of barred behaviors that can hurt our relationship with both God and othersand two of these lists include references to certain homosexual activities. But even these descriptions are accompanied by a deep awareness of the gracious invitation of God.
You can find the prohibitions against specific homosexual acts in Leviticus 18 and Leviticus 20, among the many laws given to the ancient Jewish people. And in the New Testament, Romans 1 paints a big picture of broken relationships running amok, with certain acts again singled out. Yet Romans 2 offers a larger picturewith a clear caution to people who judge others negatively.
To learn even more about Gods compassion, grace, and love, Look Inside.
Why Is The Bible So Boring
Sure, the Bible can be a bit yawn-worthy at times, but it has riveting adventures, too.
In a way, the Bible is a vast storeroom, containing thousands of years worth of information and experience. Different parts will strike different folks in different ways.
For example: Leviticus is sort of a rulebook, akin to a modern-day penal code. You might find it tediousunless youre a lawyer.
Exodus has specs for the exact weights and measures for building temples and altars. Its really OCDunless youre an architect or engineer.
The Bible also contains many genealogies: lists of generation after generation, going back to the first-known human so it can sometimes feel like unraveling a very confusing family tree. But some folks are into that.
Inevitably, some things in the Bible just wont capture your fancy. But others might.
In fact, there are many stories in the Bible that are downright thrilling. The kind of dramas youd binge-watch on weekends. Stories about sex, murder, betrayal, deception, and redemption. Like the one where a teenage boy slays a warrior twice his size. Or the one where a sea splits in two. Or the one where a queen is served the head of a foe upon a platter. Yeah. Stories that are rarely G-rated.
You May Like: What Is An Omer In The Bible