Topical Bible: Character of the Unrenewed Heart: Proud

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The concept of pride as a characteristic of the unrenewed heart is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. Pride, in its essence, is an exaltation of self above others and, ultimately, above God. It is often depicted as a root sin that leads to various other transgressions and is consistently condemned in Scripture.

Biblical Descriptions and Warnings

The Bible provides numerous descriptions and warnings about the dangers of pride. In Proverbs 16:18, it is written, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." This verse highlights the inevitable downfall that follows pride, emphasizing its destructive nature. Similarly, Proverbs 11:2 states, "When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom." Here, pride is contrasted with humility, underscoring the virtue of the latter.

The prophet Isaiah also speaks against pride, particularly in the context of nations and leaders who exalt themselves. Isaiah 2:11 declares, "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." This passage illustrates the ultimate humbling of the proud before the sovereignty of God.

Examples of Pride in Scripture

Several biblical figures exemplify the sin of pride. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon is a prominent example. In Daniel 4:30, he boasts, "Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built by my vast power and for the glory of my majesty?" His pride leads to his temporary downfall and madness, demonstrating the consequences of exalting oneself above God.

Another example is found in the New Testament with the Pharisees, who are often depicted as proud and self-righteous. In Luke 18:11-12, the Pharisee prays, "God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire." This self-congratulatory attitude is condemned by Jesus, who praises the humility of the tax collector instead.

Theological Implications

Pride is fundamentally at odds with the Christian understanding of human nature and the need for divine grace. It represents a refusal to acknowledge one's dependence on God and a rejection of His authority. James 4:6 reminds believers, "But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" This verse underscores the opposition between pride and the grace of God, highlighting the necessity of humility for receiving divine favor.

The Remedy for Pride

The Bible offers a clear remedy for the sin of pride: humility and repentance. In Philippians 2:3, believers are instructed, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves." This call to humility is rooted in the example of Christ, who, though being in very nature God, humbled Himself and became obedient to death on a cross (Philippians 2:6-8).

Furthermore, the call to repentance is echoed in 1 John 1:9, which assures, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Through confession and repentance, the proud heart can be renewed and transformed by the grace of God.

In summary, pride is a defining characteristic of the unrenewed heart, leading to separation from God and others. The biblical narrative consistently warns against pride and calls for a life marked by humility and dependence on God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 101:5
Whoever privately slanders his neighbor, him will I cut off: him that has an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 49:16
Your terribleness has deceived you, and the pride of your heart, O you that dwell in the clefts of the rock, that hold the height of the hill: though you should make your nest as high as the eagle, I will bring you down from there, said the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The National Preacher.
... full disclosure of the true feelings of the unrenewed heart. ... adapting revelation
to the actual character and condition ... to perplex and offend the proud and self ...
/.../leland/the national preacher vol 2 no 7 dec 1827/the national preacher.htm

Character and Condition of the Churches to whom the Epistle was ...
... spirit shows itself equally, when the unrenewed nature of ... while yet the whole inward
character has formed ... his treasure in heaven and his heart directed thither ...
/.../the epistle of james practically explained/ 4 character and condition.htm

The Test of Discipleship
... And the heart that in its unrenewed state is ... love of Christ and who really desire
to be children of God, yet they realize that their character is imperfect ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 7 the test of.htm

The Wedding Garment
... is indispensable to a Christian, but which the unrenewed heart is not ... Judas exemplified
in his own person this character. ... His proud heart would not let him. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the wedding garment.htm

The Blood of the Everlasting Covenant
... Having thus noticed the everlasting character of the ... But art thou a proud, boastful,
free-willer ... of the devil, and the spirit of the unhumbled, unrenewed heart. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the blood of the everlasting.htm

Entire Sanctification
... spirit of error will work in the unrenewed heart, filling it ... man that he ever met."
As the character of Socrates ... duty to love God with all our heart, and we ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clarke/entire sanctification/entire sanctification.htm

Confession of Sin Illustrated by the Cases of Dr. Pritchard and ...
... of death, for murders of the most atrocious character. ... and ready acknowledgments
of a man whose heart is touched ... What unrenewed man thinks it a sin to forget ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 11 1865/confession of sin illustrated by.htm

God's Exhaustive Knowledge of Man. [*Continued]
... Hence men generally, and unrenewed men always, are unacquainted ... a sober reflection
upon the moral character of the ... of incessant action of mind, heart, and limbs ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/gods exhaustive knowledge of man 2.htm

A Message from God for Thee
... Unrenewed persons find fault with God's justice. ... here who wear a very excellent moral
character in the ... wouldest but believe this, and that thy heart were broken ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/a message from god for.htm

Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Gospel Transcends Law.
... Surely works are essential." Arguments of this character have indeed a semblance
of merit, but ... Without Christ the heart remains unchanged and unrenewed. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twelfth sunday after trinity gospel.htm