New Reminders: Pride Without Prejudice
by Ardith Hoff
Pride is defined as a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired. We are encouraged to show school pride, and to be proud of our teams’ accomplishments on the sports fields. We are naturally proud of our children and we can’t help taking pride in our own accomplishments. So why does the bible say that pride is a sin? It seems like a good thing to feel pleased when we, or those close to us, do something well.
Three Bible verses come to mind: Proverbs 8:13 “To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.” Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace…” Proverbs 16:5 “The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.” These verses, by themselves, are reason enough to strike guilt and trepidation in our hearts whenever we smile with pride at a what is clearly a joyful moment.
Therein lies the danger of taking Bible some verses out of context. We are certainly within the good graces of God to take pleasure in actions well executed––our own or those of others with whom we identify. It becomes sinful only when we compare ourselves, or those we love, with others. That is, when we think our achievements are superior to those of others, or if we brag about our accomplishments as if they are superior. This is where bias or prejudice comes to bare. It is when we judge (pre or post) other’s accomplishments as less than our own. That is why Proverbs 11:2 goes on to say, “…but with humility comes wisdom.”
The problem with pride is that it is too easy to slip from humbly accepting a compliment to becoming arrogant, conceited or self-righteous. We need to guard against thinking that we, rather than God, are the sole source of our accomplishments. We need to do everything for the glory of God, not for self-aggrandizement. We need to teach children that is okay to feel good about doing something well. It’s okay to celebrate, but we need to realize that it was God who gave us our abilities and put people in our lives to teach and encourage us. He is pleased, just as we are, when we use those abilities well. We also need to warn them against taking undeserved credit or to think they are superior to others. That’s when pride becomes a sin.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:12