The Futility of Pride

Stange New year topic but oh well! I have been bothered by the topic of Pride! I hate it! It is a destructive force in the life of many. "When pride cometh, then cometh shame: But with the lowly is wisdom" (Pro11:2). "Only by pride cometh contentions" (Pro13:10). In the book of Proverbs, pride is used in two senses. (1) The good sense. In this sense, it is admirable and necessary. It is associated with self-respect and personal dignity. However, we must always avoid self-contempt. "I am a nobody" is not a way to gain respect from others. Acts 2:47 shows us that it is alright to have respect from other people. This kind of pride is acceptable. (2) The bad sense is associated with arrogance, self-esteem, self-importance, and all such similar vices. Webster defines it this way: The quality or state of being proud: as inordinate self-esteem: conceit. Let us keep pride as God wants it. The chin and head up, not our nose. The pride of life is a channel by which Satan tempts man to sin (1Jo 2:15-17). In John 13 we find the disciples would not wash one another's feet because it would show they were inferior and forfeit their position in the kingdom. Christ deflated their egos and pride by washing their feet, showing that He was the greatest of all and serves all. We see a lot of people in the church today fighting for the top, but very few reach for towels. There are many today that pride destroys. It kept Felix from obeying the gospel (Act 24:25). It also cost Ananias and Sapphira their lives. Mat 5:3 says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." We must be willing to assume the role of beggar to enter the kingdom of heaven. Pride will cause us not to admit wrong or have compassion on our fellow man. It will cause us to live beyond our means (Rom 13:8). Pride leads to rebellion (Psa 10:4); also apostasy (1Ti 3:6). "He who stands on a pedestal has no place but to step off"-a Chinese proverb.