PRIDE

Why is pride considered so destructive to the life of the believer and the church? When does healthy self-esteem cross the line into arrogance and sin?

Pride is named as the first sin because it caused Satan’s fall from heaven even before creation (see Ezekiel 28 which begins by condemning the pride of the king of Tyre but describes the pride of Satan in 28:14-17, NIV). All the Hebrew and Greek words in the Bible translated pride or proud describe a wrong attitude of the heart, a haughty spirit. Proverbs 16:18 best describes this negative use of the word—"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."
But the English dictionary gives positive as well as negative uses of the word pride. We today can use the word to express satisfaction taken in one’s work, a deep love for something treasured and genuinely valuable, or society’s esteem for a hero. Not recognizing this distinction between positive and negative meanings of the word has caused some parents to refuse to give their children words of commendation, fearing that such expressions will lead to arrogant and haughty pride. Unfortunately, these children can grow up thinking that they have no value or significance. Proper teaching can instill an understanding of the worth God has placed in His creation without leading to arrogance and haughtiness. Paul recognized the need to appreciate one’s own worth and gifts, but he also cautioned against allowing such thoughts to become self-centered and competitive. Writing to the church at Rome, he said, "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment" (Rom. 12:3).
Having made that distinction, we must come back to the fact that arrogant pride is despicable in the eyes of God. It all too subtly takes hold of the unwary person, for it is inherent in the fallen nature of humankind. Only through divine help can we be the humble persons the Bible honors.
At the heart of arrogant pride is resistance against God’s rightful claim to the love and obedience of His creation. Self-centered pride causes a person to think he or she can do everything needed for survival and happiness. There is no need for God, for such pride makes one a god in his own eyes.
After declaring independence from God, the proud person imagines himself as excelling over others. This self-centered tendency to elevate self leads to ignoring other people or using them for personal gain, depreciating or even seeking to injure or humiliate them (Psa. 10:2-4, 1 Tim. 1:12,13). In society or a sub-culture, collective pride can lead to racism, class snobbery, and prejudice.
Pride is not always recognized by the one who is wrongfully proud. A checklist of common manifestations of pride as described in Scripture is helpful: speaking ill of persons behind their backs (Psa. 101:5), a proud, haughty look (Prov. 6:17), drunken boasting (Isaiah 28:1), delight in ruling people (Matt. 20:25,26), accepting undeserved acclaim (Acts 12:21-23), boasting in one’s wisdom (1 Cor. 3:19-21), taking pride in one’s superiority to others (1 Cor. 4:6,7), selfish ambition or vain conceit (Phil. 2:3,4), boasting of future plans (James 4:13-16), ignoring advice from older, spiritual people (1 Peter 5:5,6), and refusing to submit to anyone else (Eph. 5:21).—adapted from Ralph Harris, Symptoms of Pride
A wrongful pride can worm its way into one’s life if we are not constantly on guard. Even when pride is not openly blatant, because one deliberately conceals its presence, it saps the spiritual life that complete dependence on God provides. There are times when we must pray the prayer of David, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23,24).
CONCERNS:
"Dying to self" has been used as a description for dealing with arrogant pride. But God does not expect a total obliteration of awareness of who we are and what our abilities may be. Eight times in the New Testament we read, "Love your neighbor as yourself" (NIV). It is therefore impossible to love others as we should if we do not love ourselves and see the value placed by God in us.
Furthermore, there is a pretended humility that can actually be a cover for inner pride. One must not take pride in his humility or in any other virtue or character fruit the Holy Spirit has cultivated in us.

~Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Injured pride is a tough lesson for the believer. The earlier this lesson is learned, the better it is. This is a hard lesson but when it is learned as a child, it makes it all the more easy later on as a teen.
What is the best way to deal with pride? Doing a study on how God views pride should be the first place we start. Noah Webster’s definition helps us to see more clearly:

Inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one’s own 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.

Today’s graphic is a good representation, don’t you think? When we see ourselves as better than we truly are, we set ourselves up for a huge disappointment. Pride revolves around self – it’s all about ME! It’s all about MY feelings being hurt.
If you struggle with pride, remember that one day you will be brought down to the level you truly belong, and maybe even lower – and that’s no fun place to be.

~1 Samuel 2:3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

Continuing to be arrogant and prideful will only set you up for defeat, teen girl. God sees who you truly are and how you think of yourself – He will weigh your actions. When the time comes where you are brought down, your pride will force you to think that you are suffering as a Christian. But God’s Word says:

~1 Peter 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

You’re suffering because of your sinful pride, not because you did something right for the Lord. You must recognize the difference and see God’s punishment as His way of teaching you to be humble.
It is better to learn to be humble and meek before God has to deal with you and you are brought to shame.

~Proverbs 11:2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

Get in the Bible where the teaching is pure – there are so many verses dealing with pride and humbleness. Recognize that your pride is sin in the eyes of God.

~Proverbs 21:4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

Confess this sin and ask the Holy Spirit of God to pierce your heart and teach you humbleness and meekness.
As if pride isn’t bad enough, it will most certainly drive you to greater sin. The Lord says you will stir up trouble and that you are a fool.

~Proverbs 28:25-26  He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat. He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

Is this what you want for your life, teen girl? The Christian who is striving to grow in Christ produces the fruit of the Spirit. Pride is not listed as a fruit of the Holy Spirit; however meekness is in Galatians 5:22.
It’s always best to learn any lesson early on because the longer you remain in any sin, the harder it will be to get rid of that sin and the harder you will fall. If you have little brothers or sisters, you will see what I mean. If they disobey your parents once, the punishment is minimal. But the more they continue to disobey, the harsher the punishment, right? Can you expect any less from your Heavenly Father? So you ask, “I thought today’s devo was going to be on injured pride? I thought I would learn how to deal with it.” If you look deep within yourself, you will see that your pride was injured because you thought more of yourself than you should have. Dealing with injured pride is learning to be humble.That’s the lesson!

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