WHAT IS PRIDE AND HOW THE BIBLE VIEWS IT
Firstly what is PRIDE
The Oxford Dictionary defines pride as
a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of one's close associates, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.
LET'S SEE WHAT THE BIBLE SAY'S ABOUT PRIDE
The study of pride in the Bible can be an exhaustive task as pride is one of the most significant problems in our lives. In this brief overview, there are two observations.
When I study pride in the Bible, I find that there are no verses that describe pride in a positive way. Every time the word "pride" is used in the Bible, it is always used negatively. That tells me how God views pride. We need to understand that pride is an awful and destructive thing.
The book of Proverbs describes a “haughty look” and “a proud heart” as “sin.” (Prov. 21.4).
Later in the same book, the writer makes a list of things that “the Lord hates” and that are “an abomination to Him.” The very first item on the list is “a proud look” (Prov. 6.16,17).
Pride is one of the three ways that are defined as worldliness and are responsible for leading man into sin. In 1 John 2:16 KJV: "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." By inspiration, John says that we are not to love these things, and if we do, the love of God is not in us.
Biblical Examples of Pride
Genesis 3:4-5 KJV: "And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die [5] For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."
Satan told Eve that if she ate the fruit, she would have the wisdom and knowledge as we all know.
When Eve saw the tree, she saw that it would be good food, it was pleasant to the eyes, and it was “desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate” (Gen. 3.6). I find it extremely interesting that sin was invited into the world because Adam and Eve were filled with pride and wanted to be like God. In contrast, a solution for sin was given because Jesus, the Son of God, humbled Himself and became like man, in Philippians 2:4 KJV: "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."
She and her husband were cast out of the garden and condemned as sinners all because of Eve’s pride. See (Genesis 3:24)
Satan Used Pride to Tempt Jesus
If we move forward to the New Testament, we find Satan now tempting Jesus to sin.
Matthew 4:5-6 KJV Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, [6] And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Satan tried to using pride to tempt Jesus. He challenged His identity as the only true son of God and told Him to prove it. If we read The Old Testament clearly we know it says that angels would watch over Jesus and not let Him even hit His foot on a stone.
Satan told Jesus to prove that He was the truly begotten son of God by jumping off the highest point of the temple. If the angels rescue Him, then He has proven His identity.
Jesus refused to give into the devil’s try to use pride to tempt Him to sin. Instead, Jesus responded in, Matthew 4:7 KJV "Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."
Pride was the Reason Herod was Eaten by Worms
Acts 12:21-23 KJV "And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. [22] And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. [23] And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost."
Herod enjoyed the spotlight. When the people shouted praises to Herod, he did not deflect any praise, and give credit to God. He basked in the shouts of accolades heaped on him by the his people.
As a result of his pride, an angel came down from heaven and struck him with worms, so that he was eaten alive by them. I cannot imagine many more invidious ways to die. However, this was Herod’s end, and all because of his pride.
TODAY'S PRAYER
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