Topical Bible: Pride: Hateful to Christ

◄ Pride: Hateful to Christ ►

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Pride, as depicted in the Bible, is a sin that stands in direct opposition to the humility and servitude exemplified by Jesus Christ. It is often characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, arrogance, and a lack of dependence on God. The Scriptures consistently portray pride as detestable to God and a barrier to a righteous relationship with Him.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 8:13 : "To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech." This verse underscores the divine disdain for pride, equating it with evil and perversion. The fear of the Lord, which is foundational to wisdom, inherently involves a rejection of pride.

2. Proverbs 16:5 : "Everyone proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished." Here, the text makes it clear that pride is not merely a minor flaw but a serious offense that incurs divine judgment.

3. Isaiah 2:11-12 : "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 prophesies the ultimate humbling of the proud, emphasizing that God's glory will overshadow human arrogance.

4. James 4:6 : "But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" The New Testament reiterates the Old Testament's stance, highlighting that pride places one in opposition to God, while humility aligns one with His grace.

5. 1 Peter 5:5 : "Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" This exhortation to humility is a call to reject pride and embrace a Christ-like attitude of submission and service.

Christ's Teachings and Example:

Jesus Christ's life and teachings provide the ultimate contrast to pride. In Philippians 2:5-8 , Paul writes, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross." Christ's incarnation and sacrificial death are the epitome of humility, serving as a model for believers to emulate.

In the Gospels, Jesus frequently rebukes the prideful attitudes of the Pharisees and religious leaders. In Matthew 23:12 , He declares, "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." This principle is a recurring theme in His teachings, emphasizing the kingdom value of humility over self-exaltation.

The Spiritual Danger of Pride:

Pride is spiritually perilous because it leads individuals to rely on their own strength and wisdom rather than on God. It fosters a sense of self-sufficiency that negates the need for divine guidance and grace. In Luke 18:9-14 , Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, illustrating how pride blinds individuals to their own sinfulness and need for repentance, while humility opens the door to God's mercy.

Conclusion:

The Bible's consistent message is that pride is hateful to Christ and contrary to the character of God. It is a sin that not only disrupts human relationships but also alienates individuals from their Creator. The call to humility is a call to align oneself with the heart of Christ, who, though deserving of all honor and glory, chose the path of servanthood and sacrifice.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 8:12,13
I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Psalm 12 Complaint of a General Corruption of Manners; Or, the ...
... of a general corruption of manners; or, The promise and sign of Christ's coming
to ... If we reprove some hateful lie,. ... Is raised to seats of power and pride,. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 12 complaint of a.htm

Psalm 12:2. CM Complaint of a General Corruption of Manners; Or ...
... of manners; or, The promise and signs of Christ's coming to ... 3 If we reprove some
hateful lie, How is their fury ... rais'd to seats of power and pride, And bears ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/psalm 12 2 c m complaint.htm

Barriers Broken Down
... Pride and prejudice have built strong walls of separation between different ... man from
becoming a partaker of the promise in Christ by the ... Caste is hateful to God ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 43 barriers broken down.htm

The Sermon on the Mount - the Kingdom of Christ and Rabbinic ...
... as opposed to Jewish (the latter being really pride, as only ... which some writers would
compare with that of Christ! ... him with this saying: What is hateful to thee ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xviii the sermon on.htm

Faustus is Willing to Admit that Christ May have Said that He came ...
... Do you pride yourself in the observance of the Sabbath ... be peculiar to Moses were
not destroyed by Christ, as he ... Apostle Paul speak of some men as hateful to God ...
/.../faustus is willing to admit.htm

Because Thou Hast Forsaken the Solace and the Joy of this World...
... that it should be stalwart in the service of JESUS Christ. ... make us afraid and to
make us hateful of our ... and good, for to bring us into pride; [sometimes says ...
/.../chapter ii because thou hast.htm

A Doomed People
... But love to God and man was eclipsed by pride and self ... In the sentence pronounced
on the fig tree Christ demonstrates how hateful in His eyes is ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 64 a doomed people.htm

Eudoxia's Statue
... which attended the unveiling of this hateful memorial of ... and of the perils of
overweening pride and ambition ... nor harmony, and the Church of Christ will suffer.'. ...
/.../chapter xlvii eudoxias statue.htm

Treatise on Christ and Antichrist.
... spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird ... as God, persecuting the saints
and blaspheming Christ, even as ... And he, being puffed up with pride by their ...
/.../treatise on christ and antichrist.htm

A God in Pain
... that feeling which mankind had about God till Christ died ... and sin, too; quarrelling
and killing, hateful and hating ... own souls, and feed their own pride of being ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xxxv a god in.htm