Let’s start first with the definition of pride to set the stage: a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.
Look at the key phrase there, “One’s own achievements.” Pride is rooted in what you can do, what you are, what you achieved. Pride glorifies yourself. It is a focus inward and not outward. Can a person be proud of their kids, team, coworkers, or country? I beleive their are allowances for that, as it is not self-focused but focused on others or on something higher than yourself. Even then, this type of pride has a slippery slope. Pride has a tendency to contract back into itself, promoting yourself. Yes, promoting yourself and denying the need for God or even others. Now, I promised Scripture, so enough of my conjecture; let’s turn now to the infallible Word for light and truth on the matter.
The Godly wisdom of Solomon teaches us, Proverbs 16:18 ESV: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” And Proverbs 18:12 ESV: “Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.” We can begin to see a pattern here that pride or the glorification of self is a slope downward to destruction and disgrace. James 4:6 ESV-“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” This scripture can not get any clearer; God is not neutral to pride but is in direct opposition to it.
The book of Psalm gets to the heart of the issue of pride: “Psalm 10:4 ESV: “In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.” The core of pride is a belief that there is no God. If there is no God, then the next conceivable step in that process is that, in fact, “I am God”. The central philosophy of Pride is, “God made a mistake; I know better than God. I can decide better than God.”
The Bible shares a story of someone who felt these feelings and decided to glorify themselves over God. The Prophet Isaiah in chapter 14 describes this account:
“How you are fallen from heaven,
O Day Star, son of Dawn!
How you are cut down to the ground,
you who laid the nations low!
13 You said in your heart,
‘I will ascend to heaven;
above the stars of God
I will set my throne on high;
I will sit on the mount of assembly
in the far reaches of the north;[c]
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.’
15 But you are brought down to Sheol,
to the far reaches of the pit.
What can I do about pride? The good news is that there is a solution to Pride, which is the humble sacrifice of Jesus. Jesus still forgives sins. The grace that you don’t deserve has power to reconnect you to God when you are repentant and turn from your pride. The cure to pride is to recognize that God is higher than yourself, your intellect, your willpower, and your ability. Turn from your pride and turn unto Jesus and make Him Lord of your life today.
