For Christians, the concepts of being proud and having pride can have nuanced differences, particularly when viewed through the lens of biblical teachings. Theologically, being proud with a proper attitude can align with Christian virtues like gratitude and humility. It recognizes that all good things come from God and that human achievements are ultimately gifts from Him. However, having pride tends to negate these virtues, leading individuals to place themselves above God and others, which is antithetical to Christian teachings of humility and servanthood, as exemplified by Jesus Christ. While both can seem similar, they are often distinguished by their underlying motivations and the attitudes they foster.
Being Proud
Being proud can be understood as feeling a sense of accomplishment or satisfaction in something good and praiseworthy. This form of pride is not inherently sinful if it is rooted in gratitude to God and acknowledgment of His grace. For example, the Apostle Paul expresses a form of pride in his work for the Gospel, yet he always gives credit to God for his abilities and achievements. In 2 Corinthians 10:17, Paul writes, "But, ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’” This implies that being proud when it involves recognizing God's hand in one’s successes is right, not wrong. In this context, being proud can be a healthy emotion, motivating us to strive for excellence, celebrate our victories, and see God's hand at work in our lives.
Having Pride
Having pride, on the other hand, often implies an attitude of self-sufficiency, arrogance, or an inflated sense of one's own importance. Remember, the word pride means to "bubble up with presumption." This kind of pride is frequently warned against in the Bible because it can lead to a separation from God. Proverbs 16:18 states, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall," emphasizing that pride can precede one’s downfall because it leads to a reliance on oneself rather than God. James 4:6 further underscores this by saying, "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."
Key Differences
It's essential to recognize the subtle line between pride and pridefulness. While pride can be a positive motivator, pridefulness is a spiritual poison. The key difference between being proud and having pride lies in the source and direction of the feelings. Being proud in a Christian sense can involve gratitude and recognition of God’s role in one's life, whereas having pride often involves elevating oneself above others and disregarding God's sovereignty. It all comes down to the why behind what you do.
A biblical example of negative pride can be found in the story of King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4. The king's pride led him to claim credit for his kingdom’s glory, saying, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?" (Daniel 4:30). King Nebuchadnezzar wanted the credit, glory, and honor for his Kingdom. That was his why and that is why God humbled Him and caused his downfall.
In contrast, the Apostle Paul's life offers an example of being proud. In Galatians 6:4, he advises, "Each one should test his own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else." This verse suggests that it is acceptable to be proud of one’s efforts if it is done with a sense of faith and humility and without comparison to others. The Apostle Paul's why was to please the Lord and do everything he could do for Him. It was this commitment and humility that led to God honoring and using the Apostle Paul as He did.
Takeaways
The difference between being proud and having pride for Christians is primarily about the positioning of one’s heart. Being proud, when done with thankfulness and acknowledgment of God's providence, can be a healthy and positive emotion because you are looking up to Jesus with gratitude for what He has done. However, having pride, characterized by self-exaltation and independence from God, is seen as sinful and destructive because you have positioned yourself above God and look down on others striving to run your own life.
By understanding the difference between pride and pridefulness, Christians can cultivate a heart of gratitude and humility, which are essential as we take our next steps with Jesus.
Being Proud
Being proud can be understood as feeling a sense of accomplishment or satisfaction in something good and praiseworthy. This form of pride is not inherently sinful if it is rooted in gratitude to God and acknowledgment of His grace. For example, the Apostle Paul expresses a form of pride in his work for the Gospel, yet he always gives credit to God for his abilities and achievements. In 2 Corinthians 10:17, Paul writes, "But, ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’” This implies that being proud when it involves recognizing God's hand in one’s successes is right, not wrong. In this context, being proud can be a healthy emotion, motivating us to strive for excellence, celebrate our victories, and see God's hand at work in our lives.
Having Pride
Having pride, on the other hand, often implies an attitude of self-sufficiency, arrogance, or an inflated sense of one's own importance. Remember, the word pride means to "bubble up with presumption." This kind of pride is frequently warned against in the Bible because it can lead to a separation from God. Proverbs 16:18 states, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall," emphasizing that pride can precede one’s downfall because it leads to a reliance on oneself rather than God. James 4:6 further underscores this by saying, "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."
Key Differences
It's essential to recognize the subtle line between pride and pridefulness. While pride can be a positive motivator, pridefulness is a spiritual poison. The key difference between being proud and having pride lies in the source and direction of the feelings. Being proud in a Christian sense can involve gratitude and recognition of God’s role in one's life, whereas having pride often involves elevating oneself above others and disregarding God's sovereignty. It all comes down to the why behind what you do.
A biblical example of negative pride can be found in the story of King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4. The king's pride led him to claim credit for his kingdom’s glory, saying, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?" (Daniel 4:30). King Nebuchadnezzar wanted the credit, glory, and honor for his Kingdom. That was his why and that is why God humbled Him and caused his downfall.
In contrast, the Apostle Paul's life offers an example of being proud. In Galatians 6:4, he advises, "Each one should test his own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else." This verse suggests that it is acceptable to be proud of one’s efforts if it is done with a sense of faith and humility and without comparison to others. The Apostle Paul's why was to please the Lord and do everything he could do for Him. It was this commitment and humility that led to God honoring and using the Apostle Paul as He did.
Takeaways
The difference between being proud and having pride for Christians is primarily about the positioning of one’s heart. Being proud, when done with thankfulness and acknowledgment of God's providence, can be a healthy and positive emotion because you are looking up to Jesus with gratitude for what He has done. However, having pride, characterized by self-exaltation and independence from God, is seen as sinful and destructive because you have positioned yourself above God and look down on others striving to run your own life.
- Being proud of yourself or others can be healthy. It's a natural emotion that can motivate us to achieve our goals.
- Pridefulness is harmful. It leads to arrogance, haughtiness, and a distorted view of oneself.
- Being proud gives credit to God. Our accomplishments are gifts from God, and we should acknowledge His role in our lives.
- Pridefulness seeks the credit, glory, and honor for all that happens in life.
- Being proud with humility will be honored by God.
- Pridefulness will always be opposed by God.
By understanding the difference between pride and pridefulness, Christians can cultivate a heart of gratitude and humility, which are essential as we take our next steps with Jesus.