The Symptoms of Pride- Part 2
What does pride actually look like?
Verse of the Day
‘Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.’
Today’s Devotional
Today’s verse was in our list of “warning” verses a few days ago, and I think it’s worth revisiting. The last thing I want is to do anything that causes God to keep any distance from me. Multiple times in the Bible it mentions God opposing the proud, and then here where we are told that our pride causes God to keep His distance.
Christian writer F.C. Jennings, in his commentary on the book of Isaiah, says, “Pride, pride, pride, is that basic sin to which God is ever opposed, and man is ever expressing.” Let’s look at a few more ways we might be expressing pride.
- Gluttony and Being a Praise Hog: ‘It’s not good to eat too much honey, and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself.’ (Proverbs 25:27) While this verse doesn’t specifically mention pride, it was included in a few of the searches that I did. How is gluttony prideful? Perhaps because we are taking more than we need. Perhaps because we are behaving from a place of entitlement. Perhaps because we want to consume without the consequences of over-consumption. Then there is seeking honor, which could also be described as seeking to be exalted, which is in exact opposition to how God tells us to behave in humility. And let me be honest, I really struggle with both of these.
- Boasting: ‘This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches.’ (Jeremiah 9:23) This one seems pretty straight forward: boasting about anything is prideful. I think it becomes more applicable for me when I begin to be honest about the things that I casually mention in conversation. I need to be willing to be honest with myself and God about the things I talk about. If anyone is truly wise, they don’t need to tell you about it. If one is truly powerful, there is no need to discuss it. The same goes for wealth.
- Focusing on Physical Beauty: ‘Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. Your wisdom was corrupted by your love of splendor. So I threw you to the ground and exposed you to the curious gaze of kings.’ (Ezekiel 28:17) I find the phrase “love of splendor” quite convicting. How often do we hear someone (including yourself) say something like, “I just really like nice things”? How much time do we spend on our physical appearance each day? How much mental energy do we spend thinking about our weight, figure, muscle tone, fitness level, or athletic ability?
- Impatience: ‘Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride.’ (Ecclesiastes 7:8) If patience is better than pride, then impatience might be included in the symptoms of pride. Why? Because impatience assumes that our expected time frame is the right one, and God (and others) need to adhere to our expectations in timing. I read something today that I need to see on this subject: “Patient: able to accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious.” Humility accepts that my desired timing is just that, MY DESIRE, not my need or assumption.
- Inaccurate Self Evaluation: ‘Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. ‘ (Romans 12:3) Pride allows us to overlook our deficiencies and inflate our talents. But that is not an honest evaluation. Notice that it takes faith to see ourselves clearly. We don’t even have the ability to accurately appraise ourselves without God’s help.
Do you see the pervasive nature of pride? It can touch any aspect of the human experience. Perhaps that’s why it’s such a problem. And we have one more day’s worth of symptoms tomorrow before we start talking about the solutions for pride.
The Word speaks for itself. As I write, I see the places of pride God is showing me. He is allowing me the opportunity to acknowledge the pride, recognize it, and offer it to Him. Because I can’t remove it. But He can, as long as I am willing.
Journal Prompts
Answer only the questions that seem relevant to you today.
Which of the symptoms of pride do you recognize in your own life? Either currently or in the past?
Do you find it easier to see these symptoms in another than to see them in yourself?
If you are willing, pray (out loud or in writing) Psalm 139:24, and then read through the verses in today’s post again. ‘Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.’