“Pride” is a term that is attached to the month of June as a means of celebrating sinful ideologies and lifestyles. The question is not whether these ideologies or lifestyles are pleasing to God. The question to consider is whether pride is an acceptable approach to life.
Pride is defined in two ways. First, Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines pride as "Inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, accomplishments, rank or elevation in office, which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others." Webster's 1828 Dictionary also defines pride as "Insolence; rude treatment of others; insolent exultation." We can actively see these definitions in those celebrating "pride" month. But, we must also honestly consider that many people, even those who claim salvation in Christ, are guilty of the sin of pride. We must even be prepared to acknowledge pride existing in our hearts. Once we recognize the pride that permeates humanity, we must consider what is to be done about it. Should we simply shrug our shoulders and carry on? Should we blame others for forcing us into a prideful attitude? The Reality of Pride To begin, we must recognize the reality of pride. Is it real? How does it look in action? What does the Lord say about pride? Yes, pride is real. God tells us that pride is the natural condition of the fool's heart. "In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them (Proverbs 14:3)." The sin of pride is just as natural as breathing. You may argue that pride is only in the mouth of the foolish, but you must also consider that "foolishness is bound in the heart of a child (Proverbs 22:15)..." When we compare these Scripture, we conclude that every child has a heart of pride because of his sin nature. It is no surprise that teens, young adults, and seniors all tend to display pride. Pride is deceptive. Pride makes the individual believe he is "all that," even when he is not. Obadiah 1:3 puts it this way, "The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?" Pride will also deceive the individual into thinking they are the most humble person to walk the face of the earth. We have all heard the joke about the man who wrote the book entitled, The 10 Most Humble People in the World, and How I Taught the Other 9!" While this joke is humorous, the truth is some people think they are humble when they exude pride from every pore. They are so deceived! Pride is hateful to God. Solomon told us, "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren (Proverbs 6:16-19)." Pride is not only something God hates; these verses spell out pride as an abomination to the Lord. Pride is found in many areas of life. John wrote, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world (1 John 2:16)." The "pride of life" covers many facets of life, from the way we think to the way we look at things, to the way we act, react, and interact with others. Pride is found in our spiritual life. Pride will keep a lost sinner from admitting his need for salvation. Consider Psalm 10:4, which says, "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts." I have often heard sinners state, "I'm not a sinner; I've never killed anyone." This is a statement of pride, which prevents that sinner from reconciliation with a holy God. It breaks the heart of the soul winner, who longs to see that individual saved and transformed by the power of Almighty God. Pride will also keep the Christian from following Christ. Look at Hosea 7:10, which says, "And the pride of Israel testifieth to his face: and they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek him for all this." Too often, a Christian refuses to admit his backslidden condition because of his pride. He will live as if nothing could be wrong, resenting the slightest intimation of any issue between himself and God. Pride is found in our interactions with others. A prideful heart does not stay in the heart but becomes evident in the way it interacts with family, friends, and strangers. First, when pride exists in the heart, contention will be the result. Proverbs 13:10 says, "Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom." Many New Testament churches have received great harm by the hand of prideful church members! We have heard of churches splitting over the colour of the church carpet or the choice of a new hymnbook. These extreme examples show the contention that is the result of pride. In other churches, members refuse to speak to one another because of a disagreement from years ago. Church meetings should not be a place where tensions run high. Instead, church meetings should be a time of rejoicing together in the Lord and encouraging one another in our walk with God. Where these things are missing, you can rest assured that pride exists. Second, when pride exists in the heart, persecution will result. "The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined (Psalm 10:2)." A prideful heart cannot stand competition or anyone exposing his pridefulness. To combat these things, the prideful individual will persecute those he perceives as his attackers. He will use snide comments and put-downs to "put them in their place," but he will refuse to admit his pride or the hurt he causes to another. Every instance of pride, with its sad results, will be the fault of others. The prideful individual will feel as if they must teach a lesson to those they consider at fault for the failures of the proud. How often have we been guilty of this very thing, when we only need to look in the mirror to find the reason for our failure? A prideful heart cannot stand to associate with those who are "beneath" the proud. The proud will do many ugly and hurtful things to "persecute the poor" and keep them away. Pride is such a hateful attitude because it produces hateful actions toward fellow believers and the lost; it is dangerous to those toward which our pride is directed. Oh, how you and I need to admit the reality of pride in our hearts before that pride causes harm to others! The Ruination of Pride Pride is also dangerous because of the negative effect it reaps on behalf of the prideful individual. It is much like a boomerang that causes harm to the object at which it is thrown, but will ultimately come back on the thrower. The Bible sets forward several sad conclusions of the proud. First, pride produces sorrow for the man of God. Old Testament prophets and New Testament preachers have had their share of dealings with proud people. The man of God can see the terrible wages of sin looming on the horizon while the proud confidently continues in his sin. Ultimately, the heart of the man of God is broken over the sin and eventual judgment of the proud. The prophet Jeremiah put it this way: "But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive (Jeremiah 13:17)." Second, pride disqualifies men from answering the call of God into the ministry. To encourage young men to surrender to the ministry of the Lord Jesus, many pastors have wrongly stated that God can use anyone. When we consider the bishop's qualifications in 1 Timothy 3, we find that God will not use anyone. He wants qualified men to answer His call. Pride has no place in the ministry. Some have begun in pride, while others have become proud after seeing God's blessings on their ministries. Either is not an appropriate condition for the man of God. 1 Timothy 3:6 disqualifies a prideful man from the ministry when it says, "Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil." Third, pride produces entrapment. Psalm 59:12 says, "For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak." Pride can be a trap for those who are proud, even though they may see it as a way to protect themselves. Fourth, pride produces shame. Proverbs 11:2 says, " When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom." In Webster's 1828 Dictionary, shame is defined as "A painful sensation excited by a consciousness of guilt, or of having done something which injures reputation..." Eventually, even the most prideful person will be proven wrong. That revelation brings a painful sense of guilt to the proud. The typical reaction to this sense of shame is for the proud to attack the individual who brought the error to light. This reaction only serves to increase the shame of the proud. Fifth, pride produces judgment. One of the well-known verses regarding pride says, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18)." God Himself will act against the proud man to humble him for his good. "And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass (Leviticus) 26:19):" King Nebuchadnezzar learned from hard experience the terrible judgment that comes upon pride. There was nothing he could do, despite his power and prestige, to prevent the judgment of God on his pride. When he finally came to his senses, he spoke of the Lord's ability to judge in this way: "Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase (Daniel 4:37)." The Response to Pride You would think no one would pursue pride when they realize the ruination that results, but that is not the case. Many ignore the judgment of pride and pursue it with all their hearts. God's people should not be among those who pursue pride despite the judgment accompanying it. Instead, we must Biblically respond to pride so we might be pleasing to the Lord. There is only one response to pride: humility. Jesus said, "And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted (Matthew 23:12)." This statement from our Lord teaches us we have a choice concerning pride or humility. No one can honestly say, "That's just me; I am naturally proud, and there's nothing I can do about it." When Jesus used the word "whosoever," He made humility a universal choice. This statement from our Lord also teaches us we can humble ourselves. The plain fact is most people do not want to humble themselves before God or anyone else. Pride has such a hold on their hearts that they cannot see a life beyond pride. Every Christian needs to examine his heart for evidence of pride. If you see any hint of pride, humble yourself quickly! Confess the sin of pride to God and forsake it. Only then will you find mercy and grace from the hand of God. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy (Proverbs 28:13).”
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About Jerry JacksonJerry has been writing for many years now. He has written tracts for several churches, as well as his ministries in Papua New Guinea and in Canada. He has had the opportunity to have many of his articles published in several Independent Baptist periodicals over the years. His main goals are to teach truth and lift up the Saviour. Archives
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