Pride

Pride

7 Verses on Pride
1. I hate pride and arrogance (Proverbs 8:13).
2. He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. (Proverbs 3:34).
3. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud (1 Corinthians 13:4).
4. In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God (Ps. 10:4).
5. Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice (Proverbs 13:10).
6. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).
7. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. (Romans 12:16).

7 Quotes on Pride
1. “We would not know that pride is a sin were it not for the example of Jesus… to tell the truth, I can’t think of much that is wrong with a healthy- within limits- sense of Pride except that Jesus was against it.” (Will Willimon)
2. “Pride has moved from being the chief of the Seven, the root of much evil, to being the root of all virtue… Pride has been rehabilitated from being a vice to be avoided and has become a great virtue to be cultivated” (Will Willimon)
3. “Jews have two major beliefs: (1) there is a God; (2) you are not it” (friend of Will Willimon)
4. “In general, pride is at the bottom of all great mistakes.” (John Ruskin)
5. “A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you're looking down, you can't see something that's above you.” (C.S. Lewis)
6. “No one ever choked to death swallowing his pride” (Anonymous)
7. “The way I see it, the sin of Pride is unavoidable” (Will Willimon)

The Bible speaks of both positive and negative pride. In one sense, pride in ones country, land, children, accomplishments, (etc) seems to be a natural (in a good sense) trait. In another sense, though, the Bible is clear that God hates prideful arrogance. Pride blocks grace and breeds quarrels. Pride goes before a fall.

Our cultures, also, both loves and hates pride. Arrogance is considered an anti-quality, but at the same time a high sense of self-worth, self-esteem & self-confidence is valued. According to the culture, most people's emotional problems would be solved if they thought more highly of themselves. Willimon states that "pride has been rehabilitated from being a vice to be avoided and has become a great virtue to be cultivated."

In apparently stark contrast, however, the Scriptures say that the road to happiness is paved in humility, meekness, and brokenness. It's not that Scripture calls us to think nasty thoughts about ourselves. God calls us to think highly of Him and this, in turn, will allow us to think of ourselves accurately. Our problem is not a lack of self-esteem, but that we too highly esteem ourselves.

Willimon concludes, somewhat surprisingly, that the sin of pride is unavoidable. I would only say that the temptation toward pride is the strongest of the Seven and the struggle with pride the most lifelong. Pride is the shrewdest sin insofar that it can attack you from any angle. One moment you can have pride in your accomplishments. The next moment you can repent of your pride and then become prideful of your new found humility.

Surely victory over pride is only possible in a life committed to repentance and brokenness before God.