by Janet Wahlquist
A study of pride is sobering, to say the least. Pride is an abomination to God (Prove 6:17), and Jesus lists it with what defiles a man (Mar 7:22). The pride of life is not of the Father and is one of the three traits which sum up worldliness (1John 2:16). It is a characteristic of those who have changed the truth of God for a lie and become reprobate (Rom 1:30, 1 Tim. 3:2). Most noteworthy is Proverbs 16:5, "Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished." We do not want to allow pride to inhabit our heart and so become an abomination to God. I find myself prideful in areas which may not be apparent at first glance. Meditating on verses like these has been convicting and cleansing. For years, I heard preaching and threatening comments from Christians like this: "if you ask for humility, watch out!" This caused me to be fearful and not want to deal with that area of sin. King Hezekiah confessed his pride and God was gracious to him. We can follow his example. "Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah." (II Chr. 32:26)
There are many warnings for the prideful. These verses cultivate a fear of the Lord which opposes pride and is the beginning of wisdom (Pr 8:13). "When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom." (Pr. 11:2) When we think we know something, it often is worldly wisdom. True wisdom comes to the lowly, the ones who don't think they know everything. "Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know." (I Cor. 8:1b,2) "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." (Pr.16:18) "A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit." (Pr. 29:23) The prideful seek to uphold themselves, but the humble let God take care of them. How lovely to be held up by honor! "The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow." (Pr. 15:25) "For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low." (Isa. 2:12) "Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil." (I Tim. 3:6) Those are just a few of the scriptures which help us to see pride as God sees it.
What can we do? As King Hezekiah, we can admit to pride whenever it raises its ugly head. We can ask God to show us areas of pride, trustng Him to make us pleasing to Him. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5) "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." (James 4:6-10)
Some feel that pride can't be helped, but God commands us not to be proud: "Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken. Give glory to the LORD your God," (Jer. 13:15,16) Praise God for everything that happens. Praise undermines pride. "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts." (Ps. 10:4) We humble ourselves by filling our thoughts with God, meditating on His word, and bringing all issues and concerns to Him. We humble ourselves by submitting to others and yielding to their needs, or requests. "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (I Peter 5:5-7)
Some signals that pride is present are squabbling, arguing, and contention in general. "He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat." (Pr. 28:25) Anger is a sign of pride. "Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath." (Pr. 21:24) Irritation and impatience signal pride. "Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools." (Ecc. 7:8) Lack of charity toward others means pride must be dealt with. "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up," (I Cor. 13:4) Another clue to a proud spirit would be if I am weighing other people's actions to pronounce judgment. "Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed." (I Sam. 2:3)
So, if you notice some of the tell-tale signs of pride, don't hide or ignore them. Cry out to God for mercy and wisdom. Confess pride and bring yourself under His authority. Seek Him in everything and submit to others. Don't be afraid to deal with pride. That is Satan's best trick. Instead, desire to know God intimately and seek Him with your whole heart. "Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off." (Ps. 138:6) Nebuchadnezzar said in Daniel, "And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: …At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase." (Daniel 4:34,36-37)
