PRIDE

Definition:

Pride is a sense of one’s own proper dignity or value; self-respect. It can also mean to have pleasure or satisfaction taken in an achievement, possession, or association: parental pride. In a negative vein, it can mean arrogant or disdainful conduct or treatment; haughtiness, often accompanied by an excessively high opinion of oneself; conceit.

Brief Explanation:

There is an old song that says, “Oh, Lord, it’s hard to be humble, when you’re perfect in every way.” Well, of course, the writer (one hopes) was writing this tongue and cheek. However, there are people who do think a bit more highly than they should of themselves and others who are not nearly as aware as they should be of the unique and special person they are. Pride is often the door through which every other area of sin enters. Having a realistic appraisal of oneself is key to a healthy self-concept, which is necessary to approach life with faith and hope. Without positive pride, a person often devalues themselves to their detriment; one who overvalues oneself is setting themselves up for a fall. A counselor will graciously attempt to bring to the person in counseling a proper, balanced and honest appraisal of themselves, a first step toward mental health.

The Word of God:

Leviticus 26:19

“And I will break the pride of your strength, and will make your heavens as iron, and your earth as bronze.”

2 Chronicles 32:26

“And Hezekiah was humbled for the pride of his heart, he and the people of Jerusalem, and the wrath of Jehovah did not come on them in the days of Hezekiah.”

Psalm 10:4

“Through pride of his face, the wicked will not seek; there is no God in all of his schemes.”

Proverbs 8:13

“The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil; I hate pride and loftiness, and the evil way, and the perverse mouth.”

Proverbs 11:2

“Pride comes, then shame comes, but with the lowly is wisdom.”

Proverbs 13:10

“Argument only comes by pride, but wisdom is with those who take advice.”

Proverbs 16:18

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

1 John 2:16

“Because all that which 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.”