Is there a time in your life when you felt proud of something? Was it when your child was born? Was it an award you had achieved? Was it the accomplishment of finishing something you wanted to complete? We are all proud of our accomplishments. I have been a Snap-on Tools Franchisee for a long time and have been recognized as a top performing franchisee many times in my 24 years. I have many awards in my office for various achievements. I am very proud of my success and the God given ability to do my job well. This type of pride in a job well done or the pride you have in your children when you see them succeed is not sin.
What is the distinction between ‘good pride’ and ‘bad pride’? “Bad pride” pride is refusing to recognize God's sovereign role in everything. "Good pride" is recognizing that apart from God, you can do nothing (John 15:5 - "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing". ) and therefore, giving God the glory for the things you accomplish.
The type of pride the Bible speaks of that is sinful is when we give ourselves the credit that is due God. Satan’s downfall was pride. Despite the fact that God had created Satan, and despite the fact that it was God who gave Satan the power and beauty he possessed, Satan wanted the glory and credit for himself. Satan did not want to worship God in response to the gifts God had given him. Instead, Satan wanted to be worshipped. Satan viewed himself as glorious instead of what he actually was: a reflection of God's glory. That is the sin of pride. Sinful pride is not recognizing that only God is worthy of worship because only God is able to accomplish things entirely in and of Himself.
1 Corinthians 4:7 summarizes this nicely: "What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast (Pride) as though you did not?" Everything we have, we have received from God. Therefore, we should not act as if we have accomplished anything on our own. It is not wrong to feel good about something you have accomplished as long as you recognize, and admit, that you could not have accomplished it apart from God.
Proverbs also sheds quite a bit of light on the subject of pride.
- Proverbs 16:18: "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall"
- Proverbs 29:23: "A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor"
- Proverbs 18:12: "Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor"
- Proverbs 11:2: "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom"
- Proverbs 29:23: "One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor"
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The ‘antidote’ to pride is humility, as seen in some of the previous verses. James warns us about self-focused pride when he writes, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). God has promised to give grace to the humble, while He opposes the proud (Proverbs 3:34, 1 Peter 5:5). Therefore, we must confess and put away pride. If we exalt ourselves, we place ourselves in opposition to God who will, in His grace and for our own good, humble us. But if we humble ourselves, God gives us more grace and exalts us (Luke 14:11).
Along with Jesus, Paul is also to be our example of humility. In spite of the great gifts and understanding he had received, Paul saw himself as the “least of the apostles” and the “chief of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15, 1 Corinthians 15:9). Like Paul, the truly humble will glory in the grace of God and in the cross, not in self-righteousness (Philippians 3:3-9).
What does this mean for you today? Are you prideful without giving God credit? Do you need to ask forgiveness for your sin of pride and ask God to instill a humble spirit in you? Reflect daily on being humble and thanking God for what he has given you.
Written By: Jeff Abner
