SUBJECT:  Pride

QUESTION:  What is pride

ANSWER:

Let us first look at some definitions for some key verses where the word “pride” is used.

OT:1347---from many Old Testament passages including:  Lev. 26:19 and Prov. 16:18—pride goeth before destruction.

ga'own (gaw-ohn'); from OT:1342; the same as OT:1346:

KJV - arrogancy, excellency (-lent), majesty, pomp, pride, proud, swelling.

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NT:5243---Mark 7:22

huperephania (hoop-er-ay-fan-ee'-ah); from NT:5244; haughtiness:

KJV - pride.

Following is the Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 definition of haughtiness:

Haughtiness

Haugh"ti*ness, n. quality of being haughty; disdain; arrogance. Syn. -- Arrogance; disdain; contemptuousness; superciliousness; loftiness. -- Haughtiness, Arrogance, Disdain. Haughtiness denotes the expression of conscious and proud superiority; arrogance is a disposition to claim for one's self more than is justly due, and enforce it to the utmost; disdain in the exact reverse of condescension toward inferiors, since it expresses and desires others to feel how far below ourselves we consider them. A person is haughty in disposition and demeanor; arrogant in his claims of homage and deference; disdainful even in accepting the deference which his haughtiness leads him arrogantly to exact.

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NT:5187----1 Tim. 3:6 (qualifications for a minister)

tuphoo (toof-o'-o); from a derivative of NT:5188; to envelop with smoke, i.e. (figuratively) to inflate with self-conceit:

KJV - high-minded, be lifted up with pride, be proud.

Following is the Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 definition of self-conceit:

Self-conceit

Self`-con*ceit" (?), n. Conceit of one's self; an overweening opinion of one's powers or endowments.

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NT:212----1 John 2:16

alazoneia (al-ad-zon-i'-a); from NT:213; braggadocio, i.e. (by implication) self-confidence:

KJV - boasting, pride.

All of the above from: (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary)

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And this from the Wordsmyth dictionary:

An overly high sense of one's own value; conceit; arrogance.

          Synonyms                                                                                                               

self-love (3) , egotism (2) , arrogance (1) , conceit (1)

          Similar Words                                                                                                         

smugness {smug} , boastfulness {boastful} , vanity , vainglory , self-centeredness {self-centered} , selfishness {selfish} , loftiness {lofty} , immodesty {immodest} , haughtiness {haughty} , complacency , pretension

Question:  "What does the Bible say about pride?"

Answer:  God hates pride (Proverbs 8:13). The Bible tells us that, “pride brings destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly than to live it up among the rich and famous (Proverbs 16:18-19). The Message paraphrase of Proverbs 16:5 goes on to say that, “God cannot stomach arrogance or pretense; believe me, He’ll put those upstarts in their place.”

Throughout scripture we are continuously told about the consequences of pride. Satan was cast out of heaven because of pride (Isaiah 14:12-15). He had the selfish determination to replace God Himself as the rightful ruler of this world. But Satan will be cast down to hell in the final judgment of God. For those who rise up in defiance against God, there is nothing ahead for them but disaster, because “I will rise up against them” is the promise of the Lord. He will cut them off (Isaiah 14:22).

James 4:6 tells us that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. A sharp contrast exists between worldly and divine jealousy; men want revenge, but He gives more grace. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and His way. And do you suppose God doesn’t care? The Message paraphrase of James 4:5-6 has it that, “He’s a fiercely jealous lover. And what He gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find. It’s common knowledge that God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.”

Pride has kept many people from accepting Jesus Christ as personal Savior. Refusing to admit sin and acknowledging that in our own strength we cannot do anything to inherit eternal life has been a stumbling block for prideful people. We are not to boast about ourselves, but if we want to boast, then we are to proclaim the glories of God. What you say about yourself means nothing in God’s work. It’s what God says about you that makes the difference (2 Corinthians 10:13).

Why is pride so sinful? Pride is giving yourself the credit for something that God has accomplished. Pride is taking the glory that belongs to God alone and giving it to yourself. Pride is essentially self-worship. Anything we accomplish in this world would not have been possible were it not for God enabling and sustaining us. That is why we give God the glory...for He alone deserves it.

CONCLUSION:

Pride is an attitude that affects one’s character.  It comes in many forms as you can see from the above definitions.  It can manifest itself as boasting or being self-centered to the more severe arrogance and showing disdain for others.

A converted person is in the process of overcoming these manifestations.  This is especially true in his or her interpersonal relationships with church members and ministry.  It is even more important to one in the ministry as he sets an example for the congregation and as one preaching Christ, he knows that his position and accomplishments, as a minister, are by the power and grace of God through Jesus Christ.

Pride is a negative trait for all of mankind.

  
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