Definition and Nature:
Pride is often characterized by an inflated sense of one's personal status or accomplishments. In the biblical context, pride is considered a sin that leads individuals away from God. Proud people are those who exhibit arrogance, self-reliance, and a lack of humility, often placing themselves above others and, at times, even above God.

Biblical References:

1. Old Testament:
· Proverbs 16:18: "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." This verse highlights the inevitable downfall that follows pride, warning that arrogance leads to ruin.
· Isaiah 2:12: "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." Here, the prophet Isaiah speaks of God's judgment against the proud, emphasizing that their exaltation will be brought low.
· Daniel 4:37: "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride." King Nebuchadnezzar's acknowledgment of God's sovereignty after his humbling experience serves as a testament to the consequences of pride.

2. New Testament:
· James 4:6: "But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" This passage underscores the opposition God has towards the proud and His favor towards the humble.
· 1 Peter 5:5: "In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'" Peter reiterates the theme of humility as a virtue and pride as a vice.
· Luke 18:14: "I tell you, this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." Jesus' parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector illustrates the spiritual peril of pride and the blessing of humility.

Consequences of Pride:
Pride is often depicted as leading to spiritual blindness and separation from God. It is a barrier to receiving God's grace and can result in divine judgment. The Bible consistently warns that pride precedes a fall, both in personal and communal contexts.

Examples of Proud People:
· Pharaoh (Exodus 5:2): Pharaoh's refusal to acknowledge God's authority led to the plagues upon Egypt.
· King Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:16): Uzziah's pride in his strength led to his downfall and leprosy.
· The Pharisees (Matthew 23:12): Jesus frequently rebuked the Pharisees for their pride and self-righteousness.

Contrast with Humility:
The Bible contrasts pride with humility, which is highly valued and often rewarded by God. Humility involves recognizing one's dependence on God and valuing others above oneself. The humble are promised grace and exaltation by God, as seen in the lives of figures like Moses and Jesus Christ.

Theological Implications:
Pride is seen as a root of many other sins, as it places the self above God and others. It is a direct challenge to the first commandment, which calls for the love of God above all else. The biblical narrative consistently calls for repentance from pride and a turning towards humility and submission to God's will.James 4:6
But he gives more grace. Why he said, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Topicalbible.org

Proverbs 16:19
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Topicalbible.org

Luke 1:51
He has showed strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
Topicalbible.org

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... And I will keep watch to see (Heb ) " (). Hab 2:4: "Behold, as for the
proud one,. ... Faith God's work; faith is the work of people. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

Epistle Lxiv. To Rogatianus, Concerning the Deacon who Contended ...
... on the people, and pressed down their pride with all insults and penalties, that
the despised priest might be avenged by divine vengeance on a proud people. ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxiv to rogatianus concerning.htm

The People's Christ
... The Christ of the crowd"the Christ of the mass"the Christ of the people"he is to
be your Saviour! Thou must stoop, proud man! Thou must bow, proud lady! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the peoples christ.htm

Thou Shalt have no Other Gods Before Me.
... This appears again when you notice how presumptuous, secure, and proud people are
because of such possessions, and how despondent when they no longer exist or ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/thou shalt have no other.htm

The Best Way to Baffle the Craft of the Enemy, is to be Subjected ...
... conduct of our Actions, we would trip and stumble every foot, and at length fall
head-long into the Pit; as it happens to Hereticks and proud People: Now if we ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap i the best way.htm

The Scattering of the People
... the people heard the words of God's Book they were very sad; for now at last they
understood how deeply they had sinned against Him. They had been proud of ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter v the scattering of.htm

John Chapter i. 5-Jan
... may know, brethren, it was for the taming of our pride these things were created
to be troublesome to us, God could have humbled Pharaoh's proud people by bears ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate i john chapter i.htm

John Chapter ii. 11-Jan
... Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance;" that is, be humble; for
he was speaking to proud people. But whereof were they proud? ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate ix john chapter ii.htm

To Three Italian Cardinals
... For had you seen it, you would not have deserted the truth so lightly, in servile
fear, passionate all, like proud people and arbitrary, accustomed to pleasant ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to three italian cardinals.htm

The Religion of Man
... "People are, notwithstanding, satisfied and proud when they have let their
natural hearts occupy themselves with the things of God. ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter xxi the religion of.htm

These are the False Accusations; the Accusation of Classicism...
... English public-school boys are not pedants, they are not torturers; and they are
not, in the vast majority of cases, people fiercely proud of their ancestry ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 38 these are the.htm

Should a Christian have swag / swagger? | GotQuestions.org

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Proud: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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