PRIDE
Pride, often considered the root of many spiritual and personal struggles, has been a recurrent theme in the Bible.
The Bible warns that pride comes before a fall and that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” ( Proverbs 16:18 )
“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble.” ( James 4:6 ).
The meaning of the word “pride” in Hebrew and Greek:
In Hebrew, the word commonly translated as “pride” is “ga’avah” ( הָוֲאַּג). It refers to a sense of arrogance, haughtiness, or an inflated sense of self-importance. It often carries a negative connotation, representing an attitude that opposes humility and dependence on God
In Greek, the word typically translated as “pride” is “hubris” (ὕβρις). It also denotes arrogance, insolence, or excessive self-confidence. In the New Testament, hubris is often associated with a disregard for others and a sense of superiorit
The Consequences of Pride in Life
Pride can manifest in various forms, such as arrogance, self-centeredness, and a refusal to submit to God’s will. These traits can lead to broken relationships, missed opportunities, and a sense of separation from God. The Bible teaches that pride hinders spiritual growth and can ultimately result in a fall from grace.
Broken Relationships:
Arrogance and an inflated sense of self can lead to conflict and strained relationships. The Bible warns that pride fuels strife, hindering the harmonious connections we are called to cultivate with others.
“Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.” ( Proverbs 13:10 )
Missed Opportunities:
The Scriptures underscore that pride precedes a fall. Refusing to acknowledge our limitations and relying solely on self-sufficiency can blind us to opportunities for growth, improvement, and collaboration.
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” ( Luke 14:11 )
Distance from God:
The Bible unequivocally declares that pride creates a divide between individuals and their Creator.
“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
( James 4:6 )
Destruction and Downfall:
This timeless truth serves as a stark reminder that pride sets the stage for one’s own downfall. Obadiah highlights the deceptive nature of pride and the false sense of security it provides before a potential downfall.
“The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’”( Obadiah 1:3 )
Resistance to Correction:
Pride blinds individuals to their own faults, making them resistant to correction and wisdom.
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” ( Proverbs 12:1 )
Strained Relationships:
Pride fuels conflict hinders reconciliation, and strains relationships both with God and others.
“Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.” ( Proverbs 13:10 )
Missed Opportunities for Growth:
They are acknowledging their weaknesses and receiving constructive feedback, leading to missed opportunities for personal and spiritual growth.
“Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” ( Proverbs 27:6 )
Loss of Blessings:
Pride jeopardizes the receipt of God’s blessings and wisdom, replacing them with disgrace and spiritual emptiness.
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” ( Proverbs 11:2 )
Lessons from Biblical Figures’ Falls Due to Pride”
The Bible is a rich tapestry of narratives and woven into its stories are profound lessons about the consequences of pride. The biblical narratives of individuals who faced consequences due to pride are invaluable sources of wisdom and guidance.
Lucifer – The Archangel’s Fall:
Lucifer, once a glorious and esteemed angel, fell from grace due to pride and the desire to exalt himself above God. His rebellion led to his expulsion from heaven, serving as a cautionary tale of the ultimate consequences of pride. ( Ezekiel 28 : 12-19 )
Banishment from Eden – A Price Paid for Pride:
God, in His justice, expelled Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden to prevent them from partaking in the Tree of Life and living forever in a fallen state. This act of banishment marked the severe consequences of their prideful disobedience. The story of Adam and Eve serves as a cautionary tale, revealing the profound consequences of pride and disobedience. Their desire for knowledge and autonomy led to a rupture in their relationship with God and the introduction of sin into the world.
And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not
be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” So the
Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.
After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side[a] of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming
sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.
( Genesis 3: 22-24 )
Pharaoh of Egypt – Stubbornness and Divine Plagues:
The Pharaoh of Egypt, during the time of Moses, hardened his heart in pride, refusing to release the Israelites from slavery. The consequences were ten devastating plagues that struck Egypt, illustrating the destructive impact of pride and the stubborn refusal to heed divine guidance.
” Then the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will
be your prophet. You are to say everything I command you, and your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh
to let the Israelites go out of his country. But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my
signs and wonders in Egypt, he will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty
acts of judgment I will bring out my divisions, my people the Israelites. And the Egyptians will know
that I am the LORD when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it.”
Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD commanded them. Moses was eighty years old and Aaron
eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh.
Aaron’s Staff Becomes a Snake
The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Perform a miracle,’ then say to
Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,’ and it will become a snake.”
So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron threw his staff
down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. Pharaoh then summoned wise men
and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: Each one
threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. Yet Pharaoh’s
heart became hard and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said. “
( Exodus 7-12 )
King Nebuchadnezzar – The Humbling of a Mighty Ruler:
King Nebuchadnezzar, the powerful ruler of Babylon, faced divine judgment due to his pride. In a dream interpreted by Daniel, it was revealed that Nebuchadnezzar would be humbled until he recognized God’s sovereignty. The fulfilment of this prophecy serves as a stark reminder that even the mightiest are not exempt from the consequences of pride.
“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” ( Daniel 4:37 )
King Saul – From Anointed to Rejected:
King Saul, anointed by the prophet Samuel, fell from grace due to his disobedience and pride. He spared the Amalekite king and the best of the livestock against God’s command, leading to the withdrawal of divine favour. Saul’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of pride, disobedience, and the importance of humility in leadership.
“Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel: ‘I regret that I have made Saul king because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.'” ( 1 Samuel 15 : 10-11)
“The Lord has done what he predicted through me. The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbours—to David. Because you did not obey the Lord or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the Lord has done this to you today.” ( 1 Samuel 28 : 17-19 )
Uzziah – A King’s Downfall:
Uzziah, the king of Judah, experienced success and prosperity but succumbed to pride. He entered the temple to burn incense, a task reserved for priests. God struck him with leprosy, highlighting the severity of pride and the boundaries set by divine order.
“…But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.” ( 2 Chronicles 26 : 16 )
“Uzziah rested with his ancestors and was buried near them in a cemetery that belonged to the kings, for people said, ‘He had leprosy.’ And Jotham his son succeeded him as king.” ( 2 Chronicles 26 : 23 )
Korah, Dathan, and Abiram:
Korah, Dathan, and Abiram rebelled against Moses’ leadership, expressing pride in their own standing before God. The consequences were severe, as the earth opened up and swallowed them, demonstrating the danger of challenging God-ordained authority out of pride.
“But if the Lord brings about something new, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them, with everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the realm of the dead, then you will know that these men have treated the Lord with contempt.””As soon as he finished saying all this, the ground under them split apart and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, and all those associated with Korah, together with their possessions.” ( Numbers 16 : 30-33 )
Hamman:
Haman’s pride led him to seek the destruction of the Jewish people and construct a gallows for Mordecai. However, his plans backfired, resulting in his demise. Haman, an influential official in the Persian Empire, harboured intense pride and resentment. His arrogance led him to persuade King Xerxes to issue a decree for the destruction of all Jews throughout the empire
Haman’s Plot to Destroy the Jews
” After these events, King Xerxes honoured Haman, son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and
giving him a seat of honour higher than that of all the other nobles. 2 All the royal officials at the king’s
gate knelt down and paid honour to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But
Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honour.
3 Then the royal officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s command?”
4 Day after day they spoke to him but he refused to comply. Therefore they told Haman about it to see
whether Mordecai’s behaviour would be tolerated, for he had told them he was a Jew.
5 When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honour, he was enraged. 6 Yet
having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead
Haman looked for a way to destroy all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of
Xerxes. “
( Esther 3:1-6 )
Mordecai, a Jew who refused to bow to him, revealing his ruthless determination for personal glory
“Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and
observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai.
10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home.
Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, 11 Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his
many sons, and all the ways the king had honoured him and how he had elevated him above the other
nobles and officials. 12 “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to
accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. 13
But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.”
14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits,
and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet
and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up.
( Esther 5: 9-14 )
Fate orchestrated by God led to Mordecai’s public honour, exposing Haman’s impending downfall and showcasing divine intervention.
” Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits
stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.”
The king said, “Impale him on it!” 10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai.
Then the king’s fury subsided. “
( Esther 6 : 1-13 )
At Queen Esther’s banquet, King Xerxes discovered Haman’s role in the plot against the Jews, leading to Haman’s execution on the gallows he built for Mordecai.
Haman’s story aligns with the proverbial truth that those who plot harm may find themselves ensnared, highlighting the poetic justice inherent in biblical narratives.
“Whoever digs a pit will fall into it;
if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.”
( Proverbs 26 : 27 )
Gehazi:
Gehazi was the servant of the prophet Elisha. After Elisha refused gifts from Naaman, Gehazi pursued personal gain by lying to Naaman and receiving gifts in secret. As a consequence, Gehazi was struck with leprosy, highlighting the danger of prideful greed.
“But Elisha said to him, “Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you?
is this the time to take money or to accept clothes—or olive groves and vineyards, or flocks and herds, or male and female slaves?27 Naaman’s leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever.”
Then Gehazi went from Elisha’s presence and his skin was leprous—it had become as white as snow.”
( 2 Kings 4-5 )
Judas Iscariot:
Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples, betrayed Him for thirty pieces of silver. His actions were driven by a combination of greed and perhaps a misguided sense of pride. Judas’ story serves as a tragic example of the destructive consequences of pride and betrayal.
” Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 and asked,
“What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty
pieces of silver. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.”
( Matthew 26: 14-16)
“When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and
returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he said, “for I
have betrayed innocent blood.”
“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”
5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. “
( Matthew 27 : 3-5 )
Belshazzar:
Belshazzar, the king of Babylon, hosted a feast using the sacred vessels from the temple in Jerusalem. In an act of pride and defiance against God, he saw a mysterious handwriting on the wall. Daniel interpreted the writing, foretelling Belshazzar’s downfall, and that very night, the king was killed. This is the inscription that was written: mene, mene, tekel, parsin. Here is what these words mean: Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting. Parsin: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”:
25 “This is the inscription that was written: mene, mene, tekel, parsin “That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was slain, and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two.” ( Daniel 5 : 25-31 )
These stories inspire us to embrace humility, acknowledge our dependence on a higher power and avoid the pitfalls that pride lays before us.
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
The Pharisee’s Pride:
The parable introduces us to a Pharisee, a devout and religious leader, who confidently stands in the temple to pray. His posture exudes self-assuredness as he boldly thanks God for his perceived righteousness. This Pharisee meticulously enumerates his righteous deeds, such as fasting and tithing, emphasizing his moral superiority over others. However, his prayer reveals a heart steeped in pride, as he compares himself to the tax collector with disdain.
“The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people— robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’” ( Luke 18 : 11-12 )
The Tax Collector’s Humility:
Conversely, the tax collector, standing at a distance, beats his chest in genuine repentance, acknowledging his unworthiness before God. In stark contrast to the Pharisee, he humbly implores, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” This tax collector’s humility resonates as a beacon of authenticity and sincerity, illustrating the transformative power of acknowledging one’s flaws. As we navigate our modern lives, let us heed this ancient wisdom, cultivating humility and authenticity in our hearts, and thereby reaping the rich rewards of a genuinely humble and virtuous existence.
“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ ( Luke 18:13 )
Overcoming Pride with Biblical Wisdom
Living a humble life in faith in God is a transformative journey that requires self-reflection, surrender, and a deep understanding of biblical principles. In this article, we explore practical and spiritually enriching ways to overcome pride and embrace humility, supported by insights from the Bible.
Self-Reflection and Acknowledgment:
Embracing humility begins with sincere self-reflection, acknowledging our limitations, and recognizing the need for God’s guidance. Acknowledge areas where pride may be lurking and hindering your spiritual growth. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. ( Proverbs 3:7 )
Prayer for Humility:
Seek Divine Guidance:
Through prayer, we seek God’s help in cultivating a humble spirit and placing the needs of others before our own. Request strength to overcome prideful tendencies and a genuine desire to align with His will. We are encouraged to weave the gentle spirit of Jesus into the fabric of our lives and practical wisdom found in Jesus’ humility, urging us to apply these principles in our daily existence, and aligning our attitudes with Christ’s example.
” Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, “
( Philippians 2:3 )
Embracing a Servant’s Heart: It underscores the call to serve one another. Humility is manifested in acts of service and putting others’ needs before our own, echoing the example set by Jesus.
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
( Mark 10:45 )“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh rather, serve one another humbly in love.” ( Galatians 5:13 )
Gratitude and Contentment: Gratitude is a powerful antidote to pride. Cultivating contentment and expressing gratitude for God’s blessings help foster a humble and appreciative heart.
“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” ( 1 Thessalonians 5:18 )
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you “( Hebrews 13:5 )
The biblical proof is abundant, revealing that pride is a divisive force that distances individuals from God, breeds destruction, and hinders spiritual growth. Ultimately, the biblical narrative on pride points to the redemptive power of humility. It highlights the mercy and grace God extends to those who humble themselves, acknowledging their dependence on Him. As we reflect on these timeless truths, may we be inspired to embrace humility, recognizing that it is through a humble heart that we draw closer to God and experience the transformative journey of faith