The pride condemned in
the Bible is not to be confused with self-respect and dignity. The Bible
clearly shows that we must love and respect ourselves
(Matt.
22:39; Eph. 5:28).
Arrogance and too high of
an opinion of oneself is a sin
(Rom.
12:3). Proverbs 21:4
says, "A haughty look, a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked are
sin." When Solomon listed seven things which the Lord abhors, he
mentioned "a proud look" first. Some suggest that it is put first
because it is at the bottom of all disobedience. Not only is pride
sinful, it leads to other sins.
PRIDE
LEADS TO STUBBORNNESS AND REBELLION.
Nowhere is this
more evident than in the example of King Saul. Saul was plainly
commanded by God to go and to utterly destroy the sinners, the
Amalekites. Saul, in his stubbornness and rebellion, spared the
Amalekite king and the best of the animals for sacrifice. When Samuel
rebuked him for his error, he reminded King Saul of what it was that
qualified him for the crown to begin with: "When you were little in your
own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the
Lord anoint you king over Israel?"
(1
Sam. 15:17). While
Saul was humble, things went well for him. Then, the power which went
along with being king went to Saul's head. Samuel showed Saul that it
was pride which led him to "do evil in the sight of the Lord"
(1
Sam. 15:19). How
much of our own disobedience is traceable to the pride which fills our
hearts?
PRIDE LEADS TO A REFUSAL TO CONFESS OUR SINS.
It is not
difficult to say "we all sin", or "he sinned." But we find it hard
sometimes to say "I have sinned." After David had committed adultery
with Bathsheba he humbly confessed his sin by saying, "I have sinned
against the Lord"
(2
Sam. 12:13).
Confession is good for the soul, but hard on pride. Do you need to
confess sin to God or to a brother whom you have wronged? Empty yourself
of pride so that you may do the right thing.
PRIDE
PREVENTS CONVERSION.
Jesus taught, in
Matthew 18:3-4,
that in order to be converted one must humble himself as a little child.
The problem with the Pharisee who prayed, "God, I thank You that I am
not like other men - extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this
tax collector...", was that he exalted himself and trusted in himself
that he was righteous
(Lk.
18:13). In order
to be converted a person must be humble enough to admit that he is a
poor, miserable, pathetic sinner.
God's kingdom is made up of people who have humble, submissive, ruleable
spirits. Admit that "the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man
who walks to direct his own steps"
(Jer.
10:23). Willingly
place yourself under the rule of Christ the King.
Other Articles by Tim Nichols
Thought About the Difference Between
Character and Reputation
The Futility of Communicating With
Subjectivist
Count Your Many Blessings and Then Weigh Them
Would you like
others to read this article?
Please share!