Pride and the Christian
In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis describes pride as a competitive vice that stems from the desire to have more than others. Pride is not a virtue. The Bible is very clear about this, but arguably it is the most forward about the topic of pride in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Pride has no place in the Christian’s life, especially when the pride being displayed is in one’s own sinfulness. The root of pride is selfishness, and the desire to make selfishness known. What pride does at its core is drive humanity away from a dependence on God, and inserts an dependence on one’s own self. It makes the futile attempt to separate the Creator from the created, and offers the lie of fulfillment. Psalm 10:4 gives us a haunting picture of this, “In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.” Pride leads to destruction and separation from the only one who could ever give us fulfillment and purpose—God.
In a culture—seemingly worldwide, and certainly dominant in the West—where pride is forced upon us every summer, how can we as Christians respond? If pride stands in direct opposition to God, what can we embrace and celebrate instead? Proverbs 11:2 reminds us that “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Humility, then, is antithetical to pride. Throughout scripture, the charge is given to Christians to lay down one’s own pride and embrace humility. James 4:10 reads, “Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.” Humility removes selfishness from us, and places the emphasis of our life on the Lord.
You see, pride boasts the lie that you should think of yourself more, and you will be highly exalted. That you should place your desires–be it sexual or any other–above God’s created order. That you should indulge your sin and find fulfillment in it. Yet humility relies on the truth of God’s word. Humility says to put others before yourself, and rely on the Lord’s created order. That our desires are often infected with sin, and to indulge them leads to eternal destruction. In a world where pride is celebrated, may we be the ones to stand firmly against it and embrace humility. It is in humility that we find our proper place: a sinner in need of a savior. That savior is Jesus Christ, and he modeled humility for us better than anyone ever has or will. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” Mark 10:45. Oppose Pride, and embrace humility. Be an ambassador of Christ, not an ally of Satan.
In Christ,
Bro. Corey McKinney
