Pride definition – a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own sense of achievements, the achievements of others whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired. Similar words: gratification, fulfillment.
To me, man’s
pride is false sense of security. It
requires one to seek the feeling as a way of showing the world one is worthy to
be recognized. Pride leads to an
addictive behavior of boasting. Boasting
becomes a contest of who is the greatest.
Pride and boasting are closely tied together. Most often pride requires a person to boast
about their achievements and the need for recognition from others. Pride
without a doubt is worldly.
Boasting
definition – excessively
proud and self-satisfied talk about one's achievements, possessions, or
abilities. Similar words are: brag,
gloat, show off, blow one's own trumpet, pat oneself on the back, and
exaggerate. Exaggerate is a dangerous word. The definition is
representing something as being better, or worse than what it really is. Exaggerating is stretching the truth. It is not fact. It is a lie.
God’s
Position on Pride
Pride was
the reason Satan was thrown out of heaven.
It was Satan’s pride that caused the downfall of mankind due to Satan’s
sin and Adam and Eve’s sin. Ezekiel 28:15-16 You were perfect in your ways
from the day you were created, till iniquity (wicked) was found in you.
16 “By the abundance of your trading you became filled with violence within,
and you sinned; Therefore, I cast you as a profane thing out of the
mountain of God; and I destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the fiery
stones. God hates pride.
Isaiah
14:12-15 How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who
weakened the nations
(mankind). 13 For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven; I
will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of
the congregation. On the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above
the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ 15 Yet you
shall be brought down to Sheol (the abode of the dead), To the lowest
depths of the Pit. This sets the
tone for mankind’s pridefulness due to sin.
Proverbs
11:2 When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is
wisdom.
Proverbs
18:12 Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,
and before honor is humility. Haughty
– Blatantly and disdainfully proud. Having or showing an attitude of
superiority and contempt for people or things perceived to be inferior. No person is greater than another person.
Proverbs 29:23 A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in
spirit will retain honor.
1 John
2:16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes,
and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
Daniel 4:37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of
heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk
in pride He is able to put down.
Hosea
13:6 When I fed them, they were filled. And when they were filled, their heart became proud and they forgot Me.
What Are We Proud
of That Causes Us to Boast?
Education
Job Hairstyle Salary
House Wife/Husband Children
Boyfriend/Girlfriend
Knowledge Your
Church Ministry Beliefs Political
Party Flag Social Movements Physical
Appearance Achievements Clothing
Jewelry Tattoos
Brands Who You Know/Friends Religion Biblical Knowledge Travel
Work Credentials Degrees Money/Wealth
Toys Race Skills Sports
Arrogance
can be tied all of these because of Pride. It is an overbearing sense of pride
and haughtiness. Arrogance comes from the Latin arrogans, which means
overbearing. It is overbearing to hear
one who boasts about everything in their lives.
Most do not even know they are boasting because they have become one
with pride. Arrogance, like pride and
boasting can control us in many areas of our lives.
Luke 14:11
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be
exalted.
Matthew 23:12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who
humbles himself will be exalted.
Let us
review words tied to Pride.
1. Boasting – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18
2. Shame – Proverbs 11:2
3. Haughty – Proverbs 18:12
4. Brings you low - Proverbs 29:23
5. Pride of life is not from God – 1 John 2:16
6. God will put you down – Daniel 4:37
7. Their heart became proud and they forgot
Me – Hosea 13:6
8. He who exalt himself will be humbled – Matthew 23:12
9. Arrogance – Proverbs 8:13
10. Exalted – Matthew 23:12
I do not
have to expound on how prideful this world is. The world has thoroughly
programed us to be prideful. God hates
pride and it is sin, Proverbs 8:13 The
fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the
evil way and the perverse mouth I hate. Pride
is exulting ourselves above God.
But, “Let
the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends
himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. 2 Corinthians
10:17-18.
I am not
saying the things listed above cannot be a part of your existence, but beware
of the pride, boasting, and Idolatry. Do
not allow these things to become your idols, 1 John Little children, keep
yourselves from idols.
God does not
want pride to define you. What defines you in God’s eyes is obedience to Him
and what you do for His kingdom! “The
Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach
good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim
liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound
Isaiah 61:1
