Definition and Nature of Pride:
Pride, in the biblical context, is an excessive view of oneself without regard for others. It is often characterized by an inflated sense of one's status, abilities, or accomplishments. The Bible consistently portrays pride as a sin that leads to downfall and separation from God. It is considered the root of many other sins, as it places the self above God and others.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 16:18 : "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." This verse highlights the inevitable downfall that follows pride. It serves as a warning that pride leads to ruin and is a precursor to one's collapse.

2. Proverbs 8:13 : "To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech." Here, pride is directly associated with evil, and God expresses His hatred for it. The fear of the Lord is contrasted with pride, emphasizing humility and reverence for God.

3. 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 God's opposition to the proud and His favor towards the humble. Pride is seen as a barrier to receiving God's grace.

4. 1 John 2:16 : "For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world." Pride is listed among the worldly desires that are contrary to God's will, indicating its origin in worldly, rather than divine, influence.

5. 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 prophecy speaks to the ultimate humbling of the proud in the face of God's majesty and judgment.

Consequences of Pride:

Pride leads to a separation from God, as it elevates the self above divine authority. It is often the precursor to other sins, such as envy, wrath, and disobedience. The Bible illustrates the consequences of pride through various narratives, such as the fall of Lucifer (Isaiah 14:12-15) and the downfall of King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:28-37).

Examples of Pride in Scripture:

· Lucifer's Fall: Isaiah 14:12-15 describes the fall of Lucifer, who, in his pride, sought to elevate himself above God. His rebellion led to his expulsion from heaven, serving as a powerful example of pride's destructive nature.

· Nebuchadnezzar's Humbling: In Daniel 4, King Nebuchadnezzar's pride in his accomplishments leads to his temporary downfall and madness. Only after acknowledging God's sovereignty is he restored, illustrating the necessity of humility before God.

· Pharisees' Pride: The New Testament frequently criticizes the Pharisees for their pride and self-righteousness. Jesus rebukes them for their outward displays of piety that mask an inner arrogance and lack of true devotion (Matthew 23:1-12).

The Call to Humility:

The Bible calls believers to reject pride and embrace humility. Humility is seen as a virtue that aligns with God's character and opens the way for His grace and favor. Philippians 2:3-4 instructs, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." This call to humility is exemplified in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who, though being in very nature God, humbled Himself to serve humanity (Philippians 2:5-8).

Conclusion:

Pride is consistently depicted in Scripture as a sin that leads to separation from God and eventual downfall. The Bible warns against pride and encourages believers to pursue humility, recognizing their dependence on God and the value of others.Proverbs 21:4
An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Whether Pride is a Special Sin?
... iii, 2) that "without pride no sin is, or was, or ever will be possible." Therefore
pride is a general sin. ... Therefore pride is not a general but a special sin. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether pride is a special.htm

Whether Pride is the Beginning of Every Sin?
... the mutable good by which sin is, as it were, nourished and fostered, for which
reason covetousness is called the "root"; whereas pride regards sin as turning ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether pride is the beginning.htm

Whether Pride is a Sin?
... OF PRIDE (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether pride is a sin? ... Nom. iv, 4), "the soul's evil is
to be opposed to reason." Therefore it is evident that pride is a sin. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether pride is a sin.htm

Whether Pride is a Mortal Sin?
... OF PRIDE (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether pride is a mortal sin? Objection 1: It would seem
that pride is not a mortal sin. ... Therefore pride is not a mortal sin. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether pride is a mortal.htm

Whether Pride is the First Sin of All?
... OF PRIDE (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether pride is the first sin of all? Objection
1: It would seem that pride is not the first sin of all. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether pride is the first.htm

Whether Only the Sin of Pride and Envy Can Exist in an Angel?
... THE MALICE OF THE ANGELS WITH REGARD TO SIN (NINE ARTICLES) Whether only
the sin of pride and envy can exist in an angel? Objection ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether only the sin of.htm

Of the Pride in the Sin, which was Worse than the Sin Itself.
... Book XIV. Chapter 14."Of the Pride in the Sin, Which Was Worse Than the
Sin Itself. But it is a worse and more damnable pride ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 14 of the pride in.htm

That the Sin of Pride is Last in the Actual Order of the Combat ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter VI. That the sin of pride is last in the actual order
of the combat, but first in time and origin. And so it ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter vi that the sin.htm

Not Every Sin is Pride. How Pride is the Commencement of Every Sin ...
... "But how," asks he, "shall we separate pride itself from sin?" Now, why does he
raise such a question, when it is manifest that even pride itself is a sin? ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 33 xxix not every sin.htm

Whether Pride was the First Man's First Sin?
... sin." Now man's first sin is the beginning of all sin, according to Rom.5:12, "By
one man sin entered into this world." Therefore man's first sin was pride. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether pride was the first.htm

What does the Bible say about hubris? | GotQuestions.org

Why is pride a sin? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about how to humble yourself? | GotQuestions.org

Pride: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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