WHAT IS PRIDE?

GOD’S Bob April 22, 2021

WHAT IS PRIDE?

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

As a man, (well, I am speaking of myself here, but it probably applies to many men) I struggle with what pride is and can it be healthy or is it always a bad thing. I believe there is a fine line between the two.

Pride is defined in the dictionary in these ways: Satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements, …...consciousness of one’s own dignity…. confidence and self-respect as expressed by members of a group bases upon their shared identity, culture, and experience. Webster defines it simply as state of being proud! All items here seem positive on the surface. So why does the Bible say Pride goes before a fall? Let us look.

Researchers in Scotland wanted to test that out to see if pride really does come before a fall. The studied over 6,000 adults over 60. They asked them all to what degree they felt proud in the past 30 days. They were also quizzed about their falls. Analysis of their results found that the odds of failing were lower for people with high levels of pride. So, they assume, that they had disproved the biblical maxim about pride. The finding showed that people with positive self-image have better posture and head position and walk with a more positive gait.

The results really do not contradict Scripture. The Lord wants us to have good posture with head held high and a positive gait. The verse speaks to the following person though. It speaks to the one who is haughty, who is self-centered, and is boastful and selfish. When we overinflate our own importance, it blurs our vision. The blinder of self-sufficiency obscures the light of heaven.

WE CAN HOLD OUR HEADS HIGH WHILE KEEPING A HUMBLE HEART!!!