The Scriptural Concept of Pride
Pride was the first sin, which is why it holds this place in the process of conversion. Not of Adam but of Lucifer. Thus, it is the source of all other sins. C.S. Lewis has said, "Pride is spiritual cancer: it eats up the very possibility of love, or contentment, or even common sense". The Catholic Church concurs saying, "hatred of God comes from pride. It is contrary to the love of God, whose goodness it denies, and whom it presumes to curse as the one who forbids sins and inflicts punishments."[1] Scripture is brimming with a caution against the particular expressions of pride. The following verses address, at least explicitly, this sin and things related to it:
Deuteronomy 8:11-14 and Galatians 6:3 suggest that if God were to make us perfect, grant us no harm and all success, we would not consider it a gift from God but ourselves. This demonstrates prides lie and the truth of/authenticity of living in God’s providence. This is demonstrated by Hezeki′ah in 2 Chronicles 32:25-26 and recalled by Psalm 10:4. Proverbs 3:5 upholds the truth of man’s finite perception and knowledge and instructs us to seek understanding from God and not limit ourselves in our perspective. Proverbs 6:16-19 demonstrates some of the most malicious sins. This passage helps us recognize that in sin we imagine ourselves to have the control God has or could have(not within his nature per se though): the ability to judge others in comparison to self, the ability to change truth with our will, the ability to take others’ lives, changing the way others see us for our benefit, and causing disunity. These sins demonstrate a willful denial of justice for one’s benefit. In Proverbs 13:10, the authors distinguish between those willing to take advice and the insolent. Proverbs 16: 2-6, Proverbs 28:25, Proverbs 26:12, and Ezekiel 28:17 bring light to the folly of pride which is that we tend to consider our perspective infallible and that often leads to suffering as a result of acting against reality. Contrarily, when we follow God, He will bring about his plan for our ultimate good especially through accepting forgiveness. Proverbs 18:12 builds on the latter suggesting that pride comes before destruction and humility before honor; both of which resonate with the Parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14. Isaiah 2:12 foreshadows the Great Reversal and the eternal punishment of both men and angels of pride in accord with the latter statement. Jeremiah 9:23 proposes poverty of spirit as though preparing Israel for Jesus in the parable of the rich young man who had grown to attached to an aspect of creation to follow the creator. In humility, we recognize God gives and takes according to our good (cf. Romans 8:28). Mother Teresa demonstrated this abandonment to God’s will saying, “Let us take what God gives and give what God takes with a smile”. In Luke 14:8-10, Jesus suggests that there will always be someone greater than ourselves and should rather presume weakness than strength. Paul instructs us to live with each other preferring others to ourselves and being aware of our likeness, finite, tending toward selfishness, and being prone to sin in Romans 12:16 and Philippians 2:3. Peter wrote likewise in In his, own life Paul admits that even though his mission is great, God keeps him humble in weakness.
In refutation of pride, Peter, James, and John (a familiar crowd in name at least) write the following verses:
- "But he gives more grace; therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble...Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you...whereas you do not know about tomorrow. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and we shall do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil." James 4:6, 10, 14-16
- “Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind.” 1 Peter 3:8
- “Likewise you that are younger be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5
- “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever.” 1 John 2:15-17
In conclusion, pride is fundamental to all sin in one way or another. “Pride of life" is identified by Saint John as one among three concupiscences.[2] Further, it plagues mankind at large, "Injustice, excessive economic or social inequalities, envy, distrust, and pride raging among men and nations constantly threaten peace and cause wars."[3] It is what holds us back from a life lived under God's reign. It hinders us in every effort as we strive to even pray, which is our ultimate desire (communion with God). "Finally, our battle has to confront what we experience as failure in prayer: discouragement during periods of dryness; sadness that, because we have "great possessions,"(Cf. Mark 10:22) we have not given all to the Lord; disappointment over not being heard according to our own will; wounded pride, stiffened by the indignity that is ours as sinners; our resistance to the idea that prayer is a free and unmerited gift; and so forth. The conclusion is always the same: what good does it do to pray? To overcome these obstacles, we must battle to gain humility, trust, and perseverance."[4] Thus, throughout conversion, there are many diverse expressions of pride, but humility and receptivity will undo them all.
FN:
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2094.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2514.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2317.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2728.
I know you like the palm of my hand. I know everything about you. Even the hairs of your head I have counted. Nothing in your life is unimportant to Me. I have followed you through the years and I have always loved you even when you have strayed. I know every one of your problems. I know your needs and your worries and yes, I know all your sins.
But I tell you again that I love you, not for what you have or ceased to do, I love you for you, for the beauty and the dignity My Father gave you by creating you in His own image. It is a dignity you have often forgotten, a beauty you have tarnished by sin. But I love you as you are, and I have shed My Blood to rescue you. If you only ask Me with faith, My grace will touch all that needs changing in your life: I will give you the strength to free yourself from sin and from all its destructive power.
