Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

C. S. Lewis included an instructive chapter on this subject (viewable at http://www.fellowshipofthemartyrs.com/articles/60-spiritual-tuneup/191-mere-christianity-chapter-8-qthe-great-sinq-cs-lewis-) in his book Mere Christianity. It depends on where one's focus is directed -- outward or inward.

When we say that a person takes pride in, or is proud of, something that he has done, if we mean that he takes pleasure in being conscientious in performing it, or in achieving a goal that he wants to accomplish, for the sake of the benefit or purpose that the goal itself will impart or produce, that is not the type of pride that the Bible condemns.

If, on the other hand, the person's primary motivation is not the goal itself or its effects, or even the gratitude of others for having achieved it, but so that he can tell himself what a fine person he must be to have done it, or to be receiving such gratitude, he is indulging in the type of pride that originally caused Satan to rebel against God and to be cast out of heaven. As Lewis said, once you reach the point of caring nothing about the goal itself, or the benefit or pleasure that it brings to others, but are delighting wholly in yourself, you have reached the bottom.

October 31 2018 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Grant Abbott Child of Father, Follower of Son, Student of Spirit

I found 63 references to the word “pride” in my bible, and 60 of them were negative. What does that tell us about God’s view of people who are full of pride?

The 3 positive references are interesting. One verse in proverbs spoke of parents being proud of the children and grandchildren. The apostle Paul said he was proud of the Corinthian church (2 Corinthians 7:4).

The last positive reference is Galatians 6:4 which says “Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.” Paul prefaces this acceptance of pride with the condition that we examine the motives behind our actions before taking pride in our accomplishments.

The culture of our world teaches that pride is a good thing, a good motivator and it builds up our self-esteem. But the great danger of pride is that it builds our self-confidence and independence. This is the exact opposite of building confidence in God and dependence on him. 

We will either do life our way or God’s way. Self-pride is a strong motivator to do life our way. Humility, on the other hand, recognizes our total dependence on God and complete surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In my view, for a Christian to try and rationalize self-pride is a slippery slope away from God’s will for our lives.

November 05 2018 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

C. S. Lewis said that God not only wants us to do good works, he wants us to do good work. When our Lord made wine from water, it was so good that even the wedding director felt the need to comment. The wedding director is taking pride in his boss' work. I don't think it's wrong to take pride in our company. But this wedding director didn't know that Jesus did it. (John 2:1-11)

April 09 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report