Pride Revisited
I thought that I would revisit the subject of Pride. We all know that pride goes before a fall (Pr 16:18). And we have a good handle on what it is with respect to the world's view. But, what does God's Word say about this subject. Jesus indicated that Pride comes from within, out of the heart (seat of mental and moral activity; both the rational and emotional elements [Vines]).
Mark 7:21-23 (NASB)
[21] “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, *fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries,[22] deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, *envy, slander, *pride and foolishness.[23] “All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.”
Scripture also indicates that this pride does not come from the Father, but from the world. In other words it is contrary to who God is. It is also going to be passing away, just as the Earth will be passing away on the future. It is also contrary to the action of "doing the will of the Father."
1 John 2:16-17 (NASB)
[16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. [17] The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
It is so much against who God is that He opposes pride at every turn. It records that humility is the key to receiving God's grace (unmerited favor).
James 4:6 (NASB)
[6] But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”
Proverbs indicates that a proud individual will not remain unpunished by God. Pride really is an abomination (extremely detestable) to God.
Proverbs 16:5 (NASB)
[5] Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD;
Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.
Haughty eyes and a proud heart may be the way that the wicked see to go forward, but God views it as sin (missing the mark).
Proverbs 21:4 (NASB)
[4] Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
The lamp of the wicked, is sin.
A rather strange thing is that living large tends to cause us to forget God and to elevate ourselves on our own eyes in pride.
Hosea 13:6 (NASB)
[6] As they had their pasture, they became satisfied,
And being satisfied, their heart became proud;
Therefore they forgot Me.
One key thing about fear (or reverence) for God. You will end up hating pride just as much as the Lord does. So as we grow in fear of the Lord, our tolerance for pride and evil will fade.
Proverbs 8:13 (NASB)
[13] “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverted mouth, I hate.
So now we come full circle to our original verse in Proverbs. Pride does indeed go before destruction, because we are plunging headlong down a path that is detested by the Lord. He will not let such a path be traversed for very long.
Proverbs 16:18 (NASB)
[18] Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling.
Mark 7:21-23 (NASB)
[21] “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, *fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries,[22] deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, *envy, slander, *pride and foolishness.[23] “All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.”
Scripture also indicates that this pride does not come from the Father, but from the world. In other words it is contrary to who God is. It is also going to be passing away, just as the Earth will be passing away on the future. It is also contrary to the action of "doing the will of the Father."
1 John 2:16-17 (NASB)
[16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. [17] The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
It is so much against who God is that He opposes pride at every turn. It records that humility is the key to receiving God's grace (unmerited favor).
James 4:6 (NASB)
[6] But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”
Proverbs indicates that a proud individual will not remain unpunished by God. Pride really is an abomination (extremely detestable) to God.
Proverbs 16:5 (NASB)
[5] Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD;
Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.
Haughty eyes and a proud heart may be the way that the wicked see to go forward, but God views it as sin (missing the mark).
Proverbs 21:4 (NASB)
[4] Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
The lamp of the wicked, is sin.
A rather strange thing is that living large tends to cause us to forget God and to elevate ourselves on our own eyes in pride.
Hosea 13:6 (NASB)
[6] As they had their pasture, they became satisfied,
And being satisfied, their heart became proud;
Therefore they forgot Me.
One key thing about fear (or reverence) for God. You will end up hating pride just as much as the Lord does. So as we grow in fear of the Lord, our tolerance for pride and evil will fade.
Proverbs 8:13 (NASB)
[13] “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverted mouth, I hate.
So now we come full circle to our original verse in Proverbs. Pride does indeed go before destruction, because we are plunging headlong down a path that is detested by the Lord. He will not let such a path be traversed for very long.
Proverbs 16:18 (NASB)
[18] Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling.