What is Pride? How to Overcome it?
7 Deadly Sins Series: Part 1
Undoubtedly, you must be familiar with the concept of the seven deadly sins. According to Christian tradition, the seven deadly sins are pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. They were first cataloged by Pope Gregory I in the 6th century and elaborated upon in the 13th century by St. Thomas Aquinas. Whether in books, cartoon depictions, or movies, the seven deadly sins are considered the most dangerous to humanity. So, the question arises: what gives pride, envy, anger, sloth, greed, gluttony, and lust their “deadly” quality? Is it the mindsets or the resulting behaviors that make them especially destructive?
Over the next seven weeks, we will explore each of these sins in detail. We will examine what the Bible says about them and discuss how we can avoid falling into their traps. Let us embark on this journey of understanding and overcoming the seven deadly sins together.
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Today, we begin by exploring what the Bible says about pride. Psalms 10:4 states “In his pride, the wicked does not seek Him; in all his thoughts, there is no room for God.” This verse suggests that proud people are those who are self-absorbed and distant from God. Aquinas defined pride as an excessive love of one’s own excellence or an inordinate desire for personal preeminence. It involves an exaggerated sense of self-worth and a disregard for the worth of others. So, why is pride deadly?
Proverbs 8:13 says, “To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.” The Bible clearly associates pride with evil and arrogance. This is because pride means thinking too highly of oneself and not admitting that we need God. It is often linked to going against what God wants and lacking humility. Pride is when we take credit for something that God actually did. It is like taking the praise that only God deserves and keeping it for ourselves. Essentially, pride is like self-centered worship. Everything we achieve in this world wouldn’t be possible without God’s help and support (1 Corinthians 4:7). Aquinas considered pride a capital sin from which other sins can originate. It is often seen as the root of other vices and sins because it leads to a self-centered and disordered view of oneself.
The Bible also talks about the consequence of pride, which is destruction. Proverbs 16:18-19 tells us that “pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.” In Christian tradition, it is believed that Satan was expelled from heaven due to his pride. He had the selfish arrogance to try to take God’s place as the supreme ruler of the universe (Isaiah 14:12-15). However, in the ultimate judgment by God, Satan will be banished to hell (Revelation 20:10). For those who rebel against God, the future holds only tragedy and ruin (Isaiah 48:22).
So, how can we overcome pride? Here are 8 ways to overcome it.
As we have seen, the Bible teaches us that pride is a sin. Recognizing it as such is the first step in addressing it.
Humility is the antidote to pride, and hence we must cultivate it. Philippians 2:3-4 advises, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your interests but to the interests of others.” Humility involves recognizing one’s limitations, acknowledging one’s dependence on God, and being willing to serve and submit to God’s will. 1 Peter 5:6 says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time, He may exalt you.”
You can ask God for help in becoming humbler. James 4:6 says, “But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’”
Reflect on God’s grace. Remember that you alone are not the recipient of grace. Recognizing this can help you become more humble and less proud. 1 Corinthians 4:7 reminds us, “For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?”
Serving others is a practical way to combat pride. Jesus himself demonstrated this by washing His disciples’ feet. In Mark 10:45, Jesus says, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
Share your struggle with pride to a trusted friend or spiritual mentor who can hold you accountable and offer guidance.
Practice gratitude because gratitude can help you focus on what you have received rather than what you lack, which can reduce feelings of pride. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Finally, renew your mind. Romans 12:2 encourages believers to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This renewal involves changing your thought patterns and focusing on godly values, which can help reduce pride.
In the exploration of the seven deadly sins, we have taken our first step by examining the concept of pride and its implications as described in the Bible. Pride, as we have seen, is often associated with self-absorption, a lack of humility, and a distance from God, leading to a destructive path. However, the Bible also offers us ways to overcome it by cultivating humility, seeking God’s grace, reflecting on our own limitations, serving others, and developing gratitude and renewed thinking. Overcoming pride is a vital part of our spiritual journey. As we continue this series, we will explore the other deadly sins, their consequences, and the ways to navigate away from them, aiming to live a more righteous life. May God bless us all!