As we continue our study on the Book of Proverbs, we are going to consider the characteristic of pride. First, what is pride really?
A definition from a standard dictionary:
My Random House Dictionary says, “The state or quality of being proud, self-respect, a feeling of self-esteem arising from accomplishment, or status, arrogant behavior.
In the Bible pride usually carries a negative connotation.
It is inordinate and unreasonable attitude of self-esteem with insolence and rude treatment of others. It is the parent of discontent, ingratitude, passion, extravagance and bigotry.
I want us to think about this attitude from both a biblical perspective as well as some of the prevailing values in our world today. For example:
Tolerance is to be valued.
I should make my own decisions, no one has the right to tell me what I should or shouldn’t do.
The words, proud and pride are mentioned 13 times in Proverbs. Not one of the verses uses it in a positive way. It is used as a description of the fool, the wicked, the stubborn, the arrogant and the unteachable ones. For example:
Proverbs 11:2: when pride comes, then comes disgrace
Proverbs 13: 10: where there is strife, there is pride
Proverbs 14:3: a fool’s mouth lashes out with pride
Pride is no respector of gender, age or ethnic and national background.
We will be looking at Proverbs 8:12-14:
I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discrection. To fear the Lord is to hate evil. I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Counsel and sound judgement are mine; I have insight, I have power (Proverbs 8:12-14).
Godly wisdom stands in direct opposition to pride. The two cannot exist together in a healthy spiritual relationship.
Where does pride come from?
When Christian authors, Bible teachers use this term, they do not mean to say that human beings are absolutely and totally wicked, evil with no good qualities, love or caring.
Rather, this term means that every part of our nature, mind, will, emotions has been distorted, corrupted by a rebellious condition the Bible calls, sin.
At its core essence, sin is mankind’s rebellious, prideful desire to be independent of God.
Pride is what motivated Satan and Adam to make their wrong choices.
Some prideful attitudes we Christians need to become aware of,
“are to confess and repent and ask God to change us. ”
One prideful attitude is, I don’t need to learn, study, grow in knowledge of God or myself, my prayer life is enough to teach me what I need to know.
However, the main emphasis in Proverbs to grow in wise, practical, godly living is to study,
“think deeply about God and ourselves, listen carefully to those wiser than ourselves, ”
take the time to search carefully and diligently for true wisdom.
Another prideful attitude we Christians can have is; I don’t need others. It’s just me and God and that is enough. I don’t need a community, I don’t need to make a commitment to a local church or the church I attend are full of proud Christians and I need to move to another.
Some of us have had painful experiences in our church setting. We’ve been hurt, burned, judged wrongly by fellow Christians. There have been times when I’ve felt the same.
However, as we look at Scripture, the Bible does not give us the option of remaining outside of the community of believers, a local church. Never once in the Old Testament as God was sending his prophets to call his people back to Him, did God tell the righteous, obedient ones to leave the wicked nation - not once.
There is one other prideful attitude we Christians can have and it is very similar to a current value in society today. This prideful attitude says my interpretation of the Bible is just as valid as yours so you have no right to tell me I am wrong in my interpretation or how to live my life or what to believe.
So while we judge society for being too tolerant, relativistic and open to any truth, sometimes we Christians can act and think in the same way and the world is right in their evaluation of us and say that we are no different than anyone else.
A remedy for pride from the lips of Jesus
Jesus’ example:
I have hardly ever met someone who described Jesus as being proud or arrogant. Even those who deny that he was God in the flesh, I can’t find many, any who describe him as proud.
Not everyone believed his claims or followed him, but he did attract audiences of even the non-religious for his humility.
How did Jesus deal with a prideful attitude among his disciples?
In Luke 22: 24-26 we read that during his last day before his trial and crucifixion, the disciples were arguing and boasting among themselves as to who was the greatest. Jesus said you are speaking and acting like worldly rulers. Can you imagine how disappointed Jesus was at their behavior at this time in their spiritual development and when He is facing his death on a cross?
…then Jesus said to his disciples, whoever wants to be my disciple , must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me (Matthew 16:24).
In part, I think He is talking about our proud self-esteem, our valued status, our achievements or biblical knowledge and a call to deny them as worthless and in joy and humility to follow Jesus.
Pride makes us:
Insist we are always have to be right
Withhold forgiveness until we are satisfied with enough contrition by our offender
Promote ourselves
Break off relationships when we feel wronged or slighted
Demand the other person admits his/her wrong faults
Become angry or hurt if we aren’t appreciated, praised or recognized
In our lifelong journey of becoming more like Jesus, we need to:
Admit we have a problem with pride (self awareness).
Admit we don’t have the self discipline to conquer it in our own strength. That is humility.
Call out in desperation, and confession that without strength from God the Holy Spirit, we will never advance in our struggle to overcome our prideful habits. This too is humility.
Ask God to change us and then accept how He chooses to do that.
