The theme of pride among wicked children is a recurring topic in the Bible, often associated with rebellion against divine authority and parental guidance. Pride, in this context, is seen as a root of various sinful behaviors and attitudes that lead individuals away from righteousness.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 30:11-14 : "There is a generation of those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers. There is a generation of those who are pure in their own eyes and yet unwashed of their filth. There is a generation—how haughty are their eyes and pretentious are their glances—there is a generation whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are knives, devouring the oppressed from the earth and the needy from among men."

This passage highlights the arrogance and self-righteousness of a generation that disrespects parental authority and lacks humility. The imagery of "haughty eyes" and "pretentious glances" underscores the prideful nature of these individuals, who are blind to their own moral failings.

2. Isaiah 3:5 : "The people will oppress one another, man against man, neighbor against neighbor; the young will rise up against the old, the base against the honorable."

Here, the prophet Isaiah describes a societal breakdown where the natural order is inverted, and the young, driven by pride and disrespect, rebel against the wisdom and authority of the elders. This rebellion is indicative of a deeper moral decay rooted in pride.

3. 2 Timothy 3:1-2 : "But understand this: In the last days, terrible times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy."

The apostle Paul warns Timothy of the characteristics of people in the last days, emphasizing pride and disobedience to parents as key traits of wickedness. This self-centeredness and arrogance are seen as signs of a broader moral and spiritual decline.

Theological Insights:

From a theological perspective, pride is often considered the original sin that led to the fall of Lucifer and subsequently, humanity. In the context of wicked children, pride manifests as a rejection of authority, both divine and parental. This rebellion is not merely a social issue but a spiritual one, reflecting a heart that is turned away from God.

The Bible consistently warns against pride, emphasizing humility as a virtue that aligns individuals with God's will. Proverbs 16:18 states, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." This serves as a cautionary reminder of the consequences of prideful behavior.

Practical Implications:

For parents and guardians, the biblical admonition against pride in children underscores the importance of instilling humility and respect for authority. Discipline and instruction in righteousness are vital in guiding children away from the path of wickedness. Ephesians 6:4 advises, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

In the broader Christian community, addressing the issue of pride among the youth involves fostering an environment where humility is valued and modeled by adults. The church plays a crucial role in teaching and exemplifying the virtues of humility and obedience to God's commandments.

Overall, the Bible's portrayal of wicked children as proud serves as a warning and a call to action for believers to nurture godly character in the next generation.Isaiah 3:5
And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbor: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honorable.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

They Shall be Called the Children of God
... Wicked men say they are the children of God, but ... You, Abraham's children, and go
about to kill me! ... Such as are proud, earthly, malicious may say, Our father ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/19 they shall be called.htm

Of the Judgment and Punishment of the Wicked
... CHAPTER XXIV Of the judgment and punishment of the wicked. ... man have great confidence,
while the proud is taken ... than all the treasure of the children of this ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xxiv of the judgment.htm

The Wicked Heart Set to do Evil.
... to do this, I shall disinherit you." Now some of the children may take a ... Ah, say
they, that is distressing; but we can subdue his wicked and proud heart. ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/viii the wicked heart set.htm

St. Ambrose Exhorts Parents to Train their Children to virginity.. ...
... Those men, though wicked, have one point at any rate ... to say: "Thou art fairer than
the children of men ... not given to common indulgences, not proud of possessing ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vii st ambrose exhorts.htm

'Stout Words,' and their Confutation
... shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and ... stall.3. And ye shall tread down
the wicked; for they ... turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/stout words and their confutation.htm

A Discourse On
... they be withered; let none of us go without his share in our proud revelry; everywhere ...
Their wives are foolish, and wicked are their children; accursed is ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ii a discourse on.htm

Why one of the Covenants is Called Old, the Other New.
... the knowledge of sin,"by which the proud might be ... the beginning, when nature itself
convicted wicked men, who ... of a slave, belonging to the children of the ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 13 why one of the.htm

Chapter i.
... whole world, is for His sake mocked even by children: that proud one is ... And whereas
Scripture shewed this, when relating his wicked artifices against Eve ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/chapter i.htm

On the Feast of a Holy Bishop
... Now, dear children, this is not the path of peace; for such men have much more unrest,
and ... For the wicked Enemy dwells in these evil, proud hearts, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxxii on the feast.htm

"Who Will Rise up with Me against the Wicked?"
... of some to "rise up against the wicked," and join ... setting all the children of the
devil at defiance ... to contend with; seeing he "resisteth the proud, and giveth ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 52 who will rise.htm

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