The Dangers of Pride

December 14, 2014

The Dangers of Pride

In my last post I mentioned four advantages gained through a humble character.  In a near future post I intend to show through scripture the many other benefits this virtue brings.  Today, though, I want to assess the consequences that are brought into our life through living out of a proud heart.  I am only going to list and briefly describe the problems associated with pride for now.  Each problem will be explored in more depth later in this series.

I mentioned how we assume that we already know what humility is and that we (additionally assume) are already a humble person.  That leads me into the first problem associated with pride.

• Pride is deceptive.  This can also be expressed as blindness, darkness, unable to see or lack of wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

Galatians 6:3 NKJV, “If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he is deceiving his own mind.”

Jeremiah 13:15-16, “Hear and give ear; Do not be proud, for the Lord has spoken.  Give glory to the Lord your God before He causes darkness, and before your feet stumble on the dark mountains, and while you are looking for light, He turns it into the shadow of death and makes it dense darkness.”

Jeremiah 49:16, “‘As for the terror of you, the pride of your heart has deceived you, O you who live in the clefts of the rock, Who occupy the height of the hill.  Though you make your nest as high as an eagle’s, I will bring you down from there.’ says the Lord.”

Proverbs 4:18-19 NKJV, “But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.  The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.”

• Pride is destructive.  This is probably the most mentioned consequence of pride throughout the scriptures.  Because this principle is true, firm, unyielding, a law of reality, it is in opposition against anyone who ignores it whether intentional or unintentional. By its very nature, this principle worked against either Israel or their enemies, God’s people or the enemies of God’s people.

Proverbs 16:18 NKJV, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

• Pride is foolishness

Proverbs 14:3 NKJV, “In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise will preserve them.”

• Pride precedes captivity

Jeremiah 13:17 NKJV (God speaking through the prophet Jeremiah), “But if you will not hear it, My soul will weep in secret for your pride; My eyes will weep bitterly and run down with tears, Because the Lord’s flock has been taken captive.”

• God opposes the proud.  This is quoted verbatim in three different places in our bible and is alluded to in at least 24 other passages.  If you don’t wish to lock horns with the Lord, be a competitor with the Lord or be His adversary then it is sage advice to make yourself humble.

Proverbs 3:34 NKJV, “Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:6 NKJV (quoting Prov. 3:34), “But He gives more grace.  Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.'”

1 Peter 5:5 GNT (Quoting Prov. 3:34), “In the same way you younger people must submit yourself to your elders.  And all of you must put on the apron of humility, to serve one another; for the scripture says, ‘God resists the proud, but shows favor to the humble.'”

• Pride separates.

Psalms 138:6 NASB, “For though the Lord is exalted, yet He regards the lowly, But the haughty He knows from afar.”

• Pride causes strife and contention.

Not only does pride cause separation between God and the prideful individual, it causes separation between other individuals.

Proverbs 13:10 ERV, “By pride cometh only contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.”

Proverbs 30:32-33 ESV, “If you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth.  For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife.”

• Pride causes shame (disgrace, embarrassment, insecurity)

Proverbs 11:2 WEB, “When pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes wisdom.”

• A proud, haughty man is revolting to God

Proverbs 16:5 NIV, “The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.”

Pride should be avoided as diligently as humility should be pursued.  I’m hoping I can present the contrast between pride and humility so well that it compels you to desire humility.  I hope it causes you to desire it so strongly you are willing to endure anything God needs to do to make it apart of your very being.  Do you have any stories to tell that are a good example of any of these principles?  How about times in your own life where you once were proud but found a better life in the brokenness?  Please share your stories and any other comments or insight that you may have.

I pray God blesses you generously, giving you grace as you generously give others grace.  I pray for your heart.  That all traces of pride might be removed from it along with all the harm that it brings.  In the name of Jesus, our most perfect example of humility and selfless love I pray.  Amen

Additional posts in this series: In the wake of humility, It’s Time to Hurt Your Pride, …but there are times when pride is a good thing, Advantages Of Humility and Humility Fosters Peace & Unity.

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