Proverbs 11:2
“When Pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom”
Proverbs 13:10
By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom.”
Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Proverbs 21:24
“A proud and haughty man-“Scoffer” is his name; He acts with arrogant pride.”
Proverbs 29:23
“A Man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.”
Mark 7:5
“Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?”
He answered and said to them, “well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from me. And in vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such thing you do.” He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God that you may keep your tradition. For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ But you say. ‘Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban” –’ (that is, a gift to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” When he had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come from out of him, those are the things that defile a man. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” When he had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter hid stomach, and is eliminates, thus purifying all foods?” And he said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, and evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these things defile a man.””
You have probably picked up by now what all these verses have in common, pride. Pride is a lion that everyone must deal with at some point. We both need to have pride in what we do, but in moderation. Every verse listed here, and many more talk about pride in a bad light. Everybody knows this right? Well knowing it and applying it are two different things. Sometimes we take things that are good, and holy and turn them into something we get prideful about. It could be things like song leading, or even preaching. Someone might catch themselves thinking “I could do a way better job, that should be me up there” well maybe it’s the person’s first-time leading singing or preaching. Or they are trying their best. Instead of being prideful and thinking about how we could do such a better job, listen to what they are saying and pay attention, or sing and make melody in your heart and offer praises to God, no matter what it sounds like. Those are just two examples, but the problem can be more widespread than that. The society we live in today focuses on feeding pride. A person dresses up and makes themselves look good so they can post a selfie with maybe a bible verse or an inspirational quote just so they can get hundreds of likes and comments. All it does is feed their pride and ego and gives them pride in their looks. If having too much pride was a good thing, then why would Jesus lump it in with things such as fornication, murder, lewdness, wickedness. It’s a dangerous thing that should be taken seriously.
Another thing I see far too often is someone doing a kind deed for a person, then posting about what they did. When the Bible speaks specifically against doing something like that. “Take heed that you do not your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in Heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. That your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” Matthew 6: 1-4. Again, you see far too often someone boasting about how kind they were to someone in need, sharing a picture, or taking a video of what they did. I believe that that is sinful, and the same nature as what the pharisees did. We aren’t supposed to help someone and tell other people about how kind we are. We are supposed to keep it a secret. Only that way will the Father bless us for it.
Pride is a dangerous thing that can lead people astray and put their faith and hope in themselves, rather than God. The final verse I would like to end with is James 4:6 “But He gives more grace. Therefore, He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” From everything we have looked at so far, I think it is more than safe to say God hates pride. It can bring anyone down, even the godliest man. And it is a very real danger that needs to be kept in check and taken seriously.
(All scriptures in this article are taken from the NKJV)