The Relevance of Pride
Pride is a complex emotion that can be perceived differently by different people. In its most desirable form, pride can be a source of motivation and strength, while in its extreme form, it can lead to conceit, arrogance, and other unhealthy behaviours. The Bible provides many messages related to pride. The passages discuss both constructive and destructive forms of pride, so it is important to reflect on the many meanings of pride.
Humility is often looked upon as the opposite of pride, and this is often the case in religious circles. The Bible contains multiple references to humility, emphasizing its significance as a virtue. However, pride can also be seen in a positive light when it is tempered by humility and proper respect for others. Consequently, it is important to understand the ways in which pride is used in the Bible so that we can learn the different facets of this complex emotion.
Number of Times Pride is Mentioned in the Bible
According to the BibleHub website, pride appears a total of 17 times as a noun and 118 times as a verb. In other words, pride (in its various forms) appears in the Bible a total of 135 times. The Bible.com website shows that pride is mentioned in almost half of the Bible’s 66 books, with the highest frequency occurring in Proverbs, where it appears 20 times.
The Hebrew verb for pride has various shades of meaning. For example, in some contexts, it can mean to be proud, boastful, or even insolent. Other contexts, however, show its positive sides, such as a sense of inner strength, joy, and distinctiveness. Similarly, the notion of ‘proud esteem’ is mentioned several times in the Bible, which is seen as an appropriate expression of self-worth and an assertion of one’s own value.
Meaning of Pride
Pride is often thought to mean ‘too much’ of something. Though pride may have some negative associations, it is important to understand the implicit meaning of the word. In its most normal usage, pride is a feeling of self-assurance or confidence. This can be a feeling of satisfaction that comes from achieving one’s goals, or a sense of accomplishment that arises from succeeding in a task. In other words, pride is the recognition of one’s excellence; it is the feeling of achieving something that is particularly satisfying.
An analysis of the Bible texts reveals that pride is often synonymous with vainglory, arrogance, and superiority. However, there are a handful of passages where the positive aspects of pride are explored. For example, pride is associated with brave acts and heroic feats, and these attributes are celebrated in the Old Testament and New Testament. In fact, pride is often associated with honour, fame, and glory.
Types of Pride mentioned in Bible
The Bible references two main types of pride. The first type is called “evil pride”. This is when people are boastful, arrogant, or vain, which is often seen as a sin. This type of pride is often associated with destruction, violence, and dishonour. The second type of pride is known as “righteous pride”, which is when people take inordinate pride in their accomplishments or in their identity. In contrast, this type of pride is seen as virtuous and can promote justice, peace, and unity. Therefore, it is important to recognize the difference between these two types of pride.
In addition, the Bible also mentions a third type of pride which is referred to as “destructive pride”. This is when people become excessively proud of their accomplishments or their personal possessions. This kind of pride often leads to boastfulness, arrogance, and greed, which are all frowned upon in the Bible.
Message
The Bible often uses the concept of pride to portray the dangerous consequences of indulging in excessive pride. There are numerous stories in the Bible which illustrate how pride and arrogance can lead to destruction. For example, in Numbers 16, Korah was punished for his presumption and pride. Similarly, in 1 Samuel 17, when David stood against Goliath, he did so with humility and courage, rather than arrogance and pride.
From these stories, the Bible teaches that we should be careful not to become too full of ourselves or place too much importance on our accomplishments. The Bible instead encourages us to practice humility and recognize that everything we have is a gift from God. In this way, we can strive for excellence without letting pride distort our perspectives or cloud our judgement.
Fruit of Pride
The Bible acknowledges that pride is a common emotion that many people feel. While there may be moments where pride can be beneficial, the Bible also warns that pride can lead to wrong judgement and give false impression if taken to its extreme form. Pride has the potential to create eternal consequences if we become too consumed with it. The Bible admonishes us to guard against our pride and instead seek God’s guidance in all our endeavours.
At the same time, it is also important to understand how pride can be beneficial as well. The Bible also recognizes that pride can be a positive emotion when it is in service of a higher purpose. We can take pride in our achievements and use that pride to inspire us to reach for our highest potential.
Pride and Humility
The Bible contrasts pride and humility, showing us that we must strike the right balance between the two. While pride can be fruitful, it must be moderated and balanced with humility. The Bible teaches that humility is the foundation of true feelings of pride and is essential for any meaningful achievement. Without humility, pride can become a prideful hubris which is seen as a sin in the Bible.
The Bible encourages us to cultivate humility in order to achieve a healthy sense of pride. In other words, we must learn to acknowledge our accomplishments without becoming consumed with them, and take responsibility for our mistakes without being too hard on ourselves. In this way, we can find peace and fulfilment in life without ignoring our good fortune.
Cultivating Pride
The Bible encourages us to cultivate a healthy sense of pride by surrounding ourselves with friends and family who can be cheerleaders and mentors. We can also look to biblical figures such as David and Esther, who found success and glory by trusting in God and not resting on their laurels. Finally, we can take steps to become more mindful of our own accomplishments and avoid becoming too consumed with pride.
In summary, pride is a complex emotion that is referenced many times in the Bible. The passages that mention it talk about both constructive and destructive forms of pride, so it is essential to reflect on the many meanings of pride. We should strive to find a healthy balance between pride and humility and make sure that our pride is not the cause of our downfall.
