The Bible frequently addresses the character of the wicked, often highlighting pride as a defining trait. Pride, in the biblical context, is an attitude of self-exaltation and arrogance that stands in opposition to the humility and submission that God desires from His people. The proud are often depicted as those who reject God's authority and wisdom, choosing instead to rely on their own understanding and strength.

Old Testament Insights

The Old Testament provides numerous examples and warnings about the dangers of pride. In Proverbs, a book rich with wisdom literature, pride is consistently condemned. Proverbs 16:18 states, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." This verse underscores the inevitable downfall that accompanies a proud heart, suggesting that pride blinds individuals to their vulnerabilities and leads them to ruin.

The Psalms also reflect on the character of the wicked, often associating them with pride. Psalm 10:4 describes the wicked as follows: "In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." Here, pride is depicted as a barrier to seeking God, illustrating how self-reliance and arrogance can lead to spiritual blindness and separation from the divine.

The prophet Isaiah further elaborates on the consequences of pride. In Isaiah 2:11-12 , it is written, "The proud look of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men will be brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted—it will be humbled." This passage emphasizes that God's judgment will ultimately humble the proud, affirming His sovereignty and the futility of human arrogance.

New Testament Perspectives

The New Testament continues to address the issue of pride, often contrasting it with the humility exemplified by Jesus Christ. In the Gospels, Jesus frequently rebukes the Pharisees and religious leaders for their pride and self-righteousness. In Luke 18:14 , Jesus concludes the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector with a powerful statement: "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted." This teaching highlights the divine principle that true exaltation comes through humility, not pride.

The apostle Paul also warns against pride in his epistles. In Romans 12:3 , he advises, "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you." Paul encourages believers to adopt a realistic and humble view of themselves, recognizing that any gifts or abilities they possess are from God.

James, the brother of Jesus, echoes this sentiment in James 4:6 , where he writes, "But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" This verse serves as a reminder that pride not only distances individuals from God but also places them in opposition to Him, whereas humility opens the door to divine grace.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, pride is consistently portrayed as a hallmark of the wicked, leading to spiritual blindness, separation from God, and eventual downfall. The biblical narrative calls for a posture of humility, urging believers to recognize their dependence on God and to submit to His authority.Psalm 59:12
For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.
Nave's Topical Index

Obadiah 1:3
The pride of your heart has deceived you, you that dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that said in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
Nave's Topical Index

2 Timothy 3:2
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Nave's Topical Index

Vision First. Against Filthy and Proud Thoughts, and the ...
... Against Filthy and Proud Thoughts, and the Carelessness ... For by thinking righteously
his character is established ... But such as entertain wicked thoughts in their ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/vision first against filthy and.htm

The Wicked Heart Set to do Evil.
... Is this a very amiable trait of character in you? ... Ah, say they, that is
distressing; but we can subdue his wicked and proud heart. ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/viii the wicked heart set.htm

Reprobation.
... xvi.5: "Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord ... the original
creation of men, nor the forming or creating in them of a wicked character. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/lecture xliv reprobation.htm

The Character and Supports of Widows Indeed.
... Those of this character when they find themselves destitute of ... It is more commonly
the state of the wicked. ... render us forgetful of God, and proud and scornful ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxiv the character and.htm

The Character of Its Teachings Evidences the Divine Authorship of ...
... of teaching that man is a noble character, evolving heavenwards ... and so humilitating
to his proud heart"never ... above all things and desperately wicked" (Jer.17:9 ...
/.../pink/the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter four the character of.htm

This World is Ruled by the Providence of one God, who is Both ...
... with infinite justice to punish the wicked, and with ... former, by being deprived of
his character of deity ... to a severe remedy, extirpating the proud and sloughing ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxv this world is ruled.htm

'Stout Words,' and their Confutation
... in verse 1 of the phrases 'the proud' and they ... of the Lord which has the twofold
character of that in ... discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/stout words and their confutation.htm

Of the Character of the Unregenerate.
... of God, keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth ... is an essential branch of every
good man's character; for he ... you will quickly, with the proud youth that ...
/.../doddridge/practical discourses on regeneration/discourse i of the character.htm

Who are My Brethren?
... decision, they are often too proud to retract ... irreverent criticism reacts upon the
character, in fostering ... himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 33 who are my.htm

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that
deviseth wicked imaginations, feet ... cruelty, lying, is the very character of the ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

What is virtue ethics? | GotQuestions.org

Does God change His mind? | GotQuestions.org

Is God perfect? | GotQuestions.org

Character: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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