The problem with pride in its negative form is that it will prevent man from humbling himself before God. Think of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) and how he had to humble himself and go back home to apologize to his father. Stubborn pride will prevent this type of action. Think of the king of Nineveh and how he responded to the preaching of Jonah (Jonah 3:5-10). If he had been too proud to heed Jonah and throw himself on God's mercy, it is certain that he and his people would have been lost.

There is an example in the New Testament of pride hindering prayers. Think of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke 18:9-14 described in parable by Jesus. He spoke this parable to those who trusted in themselves and their own righteousness. They thought that they were just simply better than other people. The Pharisee in this parable was a deeply religious man who was part of a pious sect. The tax collector was despised by the people then just as they are now (smile). Tax collectors of that day were seen by many as being pawns of Rome and considered by many to be crooked. The religious Pharisee trusted in his own righteousness. He stood before the perfect maker of the universe and told him how good he was because of the things that he had done. He was prideful and conceited because he felt that he was better than other people. The man laundry listed the people that he was better than. He also bragged on his tithes and on the fact that he fasted twice a week (typically Monday and Thurs-days) in conflict with how Jesus had taught fasting should be done (Matt 6:17).

The "wicked" and "despised" tax collector stood a ways off and refused to even raise his eye towards Heaven. He showed humility in recognizing his own wretchedness before Holy God. He beat his own breast in a show of humility, anguish, and self-reproach. This man simply said, "God, be merciful to me a sinner." Jesus said that this sinner rather than the proud religious man went away justified. The sinner had relied on the righteousness of God rather than proudly proclaiming his own merits. The guilty thief on the cross had that same contrite spirit and Jesus rewarded him with a trip to paradise the same day (Luke 23:39-43).

Don't let your pride prevent you from being humble - it'll block your blessings!

Bro. Eli

Pride is one of those terms that can generate a lot of discussion, disagreement, and debate. Is it OK to have pride? I believe that much of that conflict is due to the word and how it is used. Let's take a minute to discuss the definition(s) of the term..

Webster's defines "pride" as a: inordinate self-esteem: conceit and b: a reasonable or justifiable self-respect. Webster further defines "proud" as a: having or displaying excessive self-esteem. Another definition of the word is c: having proper self-respect. It is clear that the English language acknowledges at least 2 very different meanings of this word.

The Bible bears this duality out as well. Paul spoke of being proud of what had been accomplished in Corinth (2 Corinthians 7:4) and referred to the church at Thessalonica as being his glory/pride and joy (1 Thessalonians 2:20). It is clear that not all pride is bad pride.

James and Peter seem to refer to the conceit or excessive self-esteem mentioned by Webster's in the scriptures listed above. In James the point being made is that we should "humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord" and He would lift us up (James 4:10).

Peter made his statement in the context of having urged the church to be sub-missive to one another (1 Peter 5:5). In each case pride is being cast as being the opposite of submissiveness and humility before God.

Another scripture that urges this behavior is Philippians 2 where Christians are urged to look out for each other's interests. Paul referenced the humility of Jesus as being the ultimate example that Christians should aspire to live up to (Philippians 2:1-8).

Bro. Eli