T he cripture tells us that in the last days people will become lovers of themselves, boastful and arrogant. These are the characteristics of a prideful and proudful people who think very highly of themselves. This is the focus of my article, for this week, that touches on the meaning of pride, symptoms of prideful people, dangers of pride, biblical perspective on pride, pride in leadership and ways on how to overcome being prideful.
Pride is “a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements”. People tend to confuse pride with confidence. Pride is dangerous behavior and something we need to safeguard ourselves against. There’s nothing wrong with feeling satisfaction when we achieve some goal such as getting a promotion or buying a new car or building a home. However, if we allow these things to define who we are, we are setting ourselves up for misery and potentially for a fall. We live in a world where pride is promoted and the concept that whatever I have I got on my own. Society foolishly teaches us that you must put yourself first before anyone else. “It worships self-exaltation, self-esteem, self-satisfaction and self-centeredness. The world practices the religion of self-worship”. In other words, pride becomes wrong when you think it is all about you, that no one else matters, and whatever you have, you acquire on your own. No man is an island.
Some of the symptoms of pride include the following: You can see flaws in others but you cannot recognize your own. You are quick to criticize others with a scornful tongue. Prideful persons are arrogant as they look down on others claiming that they are not educated, too poor, not successful and not as good looking as them. An individual of pride purposely ignores others if he/she thinks those persons do not worth his/her time. Prideful persons see themselves as more gifted, and that they are the best in whatever they do. Proud individuals are into people pleasing – “fearing man more than God – and seeking the fleeting happiness that comes from man’s approval.” They feel entitled that they should achieve success and comfort with minimal effort. However, when they do not experience these things they become bitter, frustrated, depressed and blame others for their lack of success.
The Bible says that when we are prideful, it is rebellious behavior against God and is the root of all sin. God hates a prideful look because we walk in our own will and not the Will of our Master. We are commanded to love the Lord with all our heart, mind and soul. Since creation, the devil has tricked us in putting emphasis on self. “In his pride the wicked man does not seek [God]; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.” The expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden is the consequence for persons who disobey the Creator. Pride is the opposite of humility and the Bible says, “The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled and human pride brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.”
Christ, the greatest leader who ever lived on earth, was a humble and lowly person who took a position to live as a slave. He even washed the feet of His disciples to teach an aspect of a humble leader. The Bible is full of information and situations where God humbled many leaders who became so proud and full of themselves. Many Kings and rulers were brought to their knees. We see many leaders of today repeating the same mistakes as those in ancient times. Political leaders who are elected to serve the people, see themselves as demagogues wanting the people to serve them. This violates the principle that to whom much is given much is expected. Leadership is a privileged position and not to be used for selfish means.
So how can someone overcome being prideful? First, you have to acknowledge that you have a pride problem. The Scripture tells us that we have to humble and submit ourselves to God. There is a false view that to be humbled means that you are weak and you become a slave to others. Humility is about understanding yourself and being free and secure enough to tell yourself that you do some things well and you do not do certain things well. In other words, it is a true recognition of our strengths and weaknesses. We then come to ours senses and we seek people for advice and for help with our weaknesses. “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” We are also encouraged to, “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.” You will be lifted up when you fear God and respect your fellow human being.
We need to recognize how dangerous pride is and the power of humility. Being prideful is selfish and destructive thinking that society promotes. We are encouraged to overcome pride and arrogant behavior by demonstrating the same attitude like Christ. Although Jesus had the authority, the power and the wisdom to do as He wished, He did not show them off but, rather, He behaved like a slave serving others in need. Political and church leaders need to emulate Him by using their privileged positions to uplift, care for and develop others. When you swallow your pride, and humble yourself, there is nothing that you cannot achieve. If you continue being prideful and thinking that you are better off than others, you are on the path of sure destruction. “We are nothing in ourselves. We are everything in Christ.” Boast not about yourself, but of the Almighty, the Creator, who gave us life – and we should love Him more than we love anyone else, including ourselves.
