Countenance: Pride In
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The term "countenance" in the Bible often refers to the expression or appearance of a person's face, which can reflect their inner emotions or attitudes. In the context of pride, the countenance can reveal a heart that is lifted up in self-exaltation or arrogance, which is consistently warned against in Scripture.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 6:16-17 : "There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood..." The phrase "haughty eyes" is indicative of a proud countenance. This expression of pride is detestable to God, as it reflects an attitude of superiority and self-reliance, contrary to the humility that God desires.

2. Psalm 10:4 : "In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him; in all his schemes there is no God." Here, the countenance of the wicked is marked by pride, leading to a life devoid of seeking God. The proud countenance is a manifestation of a heart that dismisses the need for divine guidance and authority.

3. Isaiah 3:9 : "The expression on their faces testifies against them, and like Sodom, they flaunt their sin; they do not conceal it. Woe to them, for they have brought disaster upon themselves." The countenance of the people in this passage reveals their pride and shamelessness in sin. Their facial expressions betray their inner rebellion against God, leading to inevitable judgment.

4. Daniel 5:20 : "But when his heart became arrogant and his spirit hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory." This verse refers to King Nebuchadnezzar, whose proud countenance and hardened spirit led to his downfall. His account serves as a cautionary tale of how pride can lead to a loss of position and honor.

5. James 4:6 : "But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" Although not directly mentioning countenance, this verse underscores the spiritual principle that God resists those with a proud demeanor. A proud countenance is opposed by God, while humility is met with His grace.

Theological Implications:

In the biblical narrative, a proud countenance is often associated with a heart that is distant from God. It reflects an attitude that prioritizes self over submission to divine authority. The Scriptures consistently warn against pride, emphasizing that it leads to spiritual downfall and separation from God. The countenance, as an outward expression of the heart, serves as a visible indicator of one's spiritual state.

The Bible encourages believers to cultivate a humble countenance, reflecting a heart that is contrite and dependent on God. This humility is not only pleasing to God but also aligns with the character of Christ, who exemplified perfect humility. Through the transformation of the heart by the Holy Spirit, believers are called to reflect a countenance that honors God and testifies to His grace and truth.
Nave's Topical Index
2 Kings 5:1
Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance to Syria: he was also a mighty man in valor, but he was a leper.
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Psalm 10:4
The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Pride and Humility
... Shall we pride ourselves on health and strength? ... before the Dignity of God, under
the shadow of whose wings, and in the smile of whose countenance, alone, is ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxiii pride and humility.htm

The Fraud, Pride, and Tyrannical Kingdom of Antichrist, as ...
... Against Heresies: Book V Chapter XXV."The fraud, pride, and tyrannical kingdom of ...
the end of their kingdom a king of a most fierce countenance shall arise ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxv the fraud pride and.htm

Pride of Prosperity
... Thus pride, ambition, prodigality, and indulgence bore fruit in cruelty and exaction. ...
years departed so far from purity as to countenance licentious, revolting ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 3 pride of prosperity.htm

The Wicked One
... "The Wicked (One) in his pride doth persecute the poor: the Wicked (One), through
the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God" (Psa.10:2, 4). This ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/6 the wicked one.htm

How the Trinity May be Loved Though Unknown.
... mortal men, is the chiefest remedy by which the swelling of our pride may be ... For
neither do we know the countenance of the Virgin Mary; from whom, untouched by ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 5 how the trinity may.htm

Psalm XVII.
... Or at least, let My judgment go forth, not in deceitful lips, from Thy countenance,
that is, that I may not in ... "Their mouth hath spoken pride." And therefore ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xvii.htm

Psalm CXL.
... But whence is pride "the toil of their own lips"? ... "The upright shall dwell with Thy
Countenance." For ill was it with them in their own countenance; well will ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxl.htm

Prayer and Humility
... not presume to lift his eyes to heaven, but with downcast countenance smites himself ...
Pride, self-esteem, and self-praise effectually shut the door of prayer. ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/ii prayer and humility.htm

Whether Servile Fear is Good
... says: "when one fears the present punishment for one's sin, and has no love for
the countenance of God which one has lost, one's fear is born of pride, not of ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article four whether servile fear.htm

The Best of the Best
... emblems to set forth himself; for this is an instance, not of his pride, but of ... Love
at first sight has been begotten by the vision of a lovely countenance. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/the best of the best.htm

Resources
Who or what is Metatron? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say on the importance of accountability? | GotQuestions.org

What are some exciting discoveries in biblical archaeology? | GotQuestions.org

Countenance: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Countenance

Countenance: Angry

Countenance: Cheerful

Countenance: Fierce

Countenance: Guilty

Countenance: Health Indicated In

Countenance: Pride In

Countenance: Reading of

Countenance: Sad

Countenance: Transfigured

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Moanest (3 Occurrences)

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Personality

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Pigeon (3 Occurrences)

Beforetime (21 Occurrences)

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Countenances (3 Occurrences)

Covert (18 Occurrences)

Cliff (11 Occurrences)

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Stairs (12 Occurrences)

Steep (7 Occurrences)

Formerly (55 Occurrences)

Set (6715 Occurrences)

Confess (65 Occurrences)

Previously (44 Occurrences)

Affrighted (60 Occurrences)

Comely (32 Occurrences)

Terrible (90 Occurrences)

Changing (31 Occurrences)

Fall (522 Occurrences)

Joyful (83 Occurrences)

Stephen (13 Occurrences)

Favour (171 Occurrences)

Health (49 Occurrences)

Appearance (126 Occurrences)

Joy (422 Occurrences)

Nobles (71 Occurrences)

Visage (4 Occurrences)

Verily (146 Occurrences)

Kings (350 Occurrences)

Noticed (19 Occurrences)

Nehemiah (9 Occurrences)

Uphold (30 Occurrences)

Overpower (11 Occurrences)

Leah (30 Occurrences)

Lamentable (1 Occurrence)

Laugh (23 Occurrences)

Looking (883 Occurrences)

Lovely (19 Occurrences)

Laughed (27 Occurrences)

Gloomy (10 Occurrences)

Gladdened (4 Occurrences)

Glistening (4 Occurrences)

Gat (21 Occurrences)

Glistering (3 Occurrences)

Wrathful (11 Occurrences)

Wear (56 Occurrences)

Wealthy (22 Occurrences)

Wealth (340 Occurrences)

With (66342 Occurrences)

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Firm (111 Occurrences)

Friend's (3 Occurrences)

Forehead (23 Occurrences)

Favourable (6 Occurrences)

Front (327 Occurrences)

Favored (19 Occurrences)

Twoedged (1 Occurrence)

Terribly (9 Occurrences)

Riddles (5 Occurrences)

Regardeth (21 Occurrences)

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Expression (17 Occurrences)

Encouragement (25 Occurrences)

Ebony (2 Occurrences)

Effulgent (1 Occurrence)

Different (87 Occurrences)

Dismissest (1 Occurrence)

Downcast (11 Occurrences)

Countenance: Health Indicated In
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