What is pride? Pride is defined as a feeling or 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. It’s also defined as conceit, egotism, vanity, vainglory, all over one’s own appearance or status in life and not just something that’s been accomplished.
Now a lot of you will say what is wrong with that. Well pride has been described as the root of all sin. However, what does God really think of pride? He hates it.
Psalm 10:4 New International Version (NIV)
4 In his pride the wicked man does not seek him;
in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
Proverbs 8:13 New International Version (NIV)
13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
Ecclesiastes 7:8 New International Version (NIV)
8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning,
and patience is better than pride.
Isaiah 2:11 New International Version (NIV)
11 The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled
and human pride brought low;
the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.
Ezekiel 7:24 New International Version (NIV)
24 I will bring the most wicked of nations
to take possession of their houses.
I will put an end to the pride of the mighty,
and their sanctuaries will be desecrated.
There is a reason why God hates pride so much and that is it drives us away from Him.
I know there are times where I have too much pride and not enough humility. Before we go on, we need to define humility. Humility is defined as a modest or low view of one’s own importance. In the Bible, humility is defined as a quality of being courteously respectful of others. Humility is aggressiveness, arrogance, boastfulness, and vanity. In stead of putting your needs first, the needs of others are first met.
So I say again, there are times where I have more pride than humility and this needs to change. As if anger and unforgiveness are not bad enough, now I have too much pride. Yet I wonder why I do not hear from God when I pray to Him. I am sure He is answering, but somehow along the way I am not picking it up or in other words I am not completely in tune with Him.
Lord I am know that I am a sinner in many areas of my life and I am asking you to please help me with my pride.